FAQs

1. Why Recycle

Recycling uses material to make new things from waste. Much of what is thrown away can be used again in one way or another. This takes up valuable space in landfill sites and releases carbon dioxide and methane that contribute to climate change. Recycling saves money and creates local employment.

2. What we recycle

Sustainable wood Solutions CIC recycles timber from whisky barrels and round logs from trees cut down across west central Scotland. Most of this timber is currently sent to landfill or maybe illegally dumped. Responsible companies that produce logs want to see the trees they have to cut down used to make things.

3. What is/ why use biomass

Biomass is a term for plants that can be used to generate energy, Sustainable Wood Solutions CIC produce quality assured wood chip fuel and can supply pellets for smaller boilers. This is used to replace oil and gas heating systems.
Using Biomass is a locally produced fuel that produces much less carbon emissions than fossil fuels such as gas or oil. The UK oil production peaked in 1999 and world peak oil could happen as soon as 2012, less than two years! As the world’s fossil fuel supplies are used up the costs will rise steeply. By using waste timber much of our current energy can be produced

4. Is it sustainable?

Biomass is a truly renewable fuel because we can always plant more trees! If trees and timber used for Biomass are replaced in well managed woodland and parks there will be a constant supply of green fuel

5. How do you make flooring from whisky barrels?

Sustainable Wood Solutions CIC is the first company in Scotland to work out how to produce flooring from old whisky barrels.
Making barrels is often said to be the second oldest job, and is a very skilled craft. Barrels are completely handmade, and do not have any flat surfaces. This makes them very difficult to turn into flooring. Sustainable Wood Solutions CIC has worked closely with partners to convert this timber into high quality flooring. The process is very labour intensive but produces spectacular results that need to be seen to be believed! The flooring even has the faint aroma of whisky, though this fades over time.

6. How much waste timber is there in Glasgow

To give you an idea of the number involved the current use of biomass in west central Scotland is estimated to be 10,000 tonnes of fuel each year. To meet the Scottish Government’s targets on renewable energy this would need to increase to 60,000 tonnes per year. A recent report which can be downloaded here on biomass estimated the waste timber in the region to be over 170,000 tonnes each year.

7. How does using waste timber reduce carbon emissions

Our carbon calculator on the home page can estimate how much carbon you could save by using biomass instead of fossil fuels. A rough guide is that fossil fuels release five times as much carbon by weight as fossil fuels.

8. Why is tree planting good for the environment

There are many reasons why tree planting is good for the environment, such as;

• Good for wildlife
• Creates oxygen to help us breathe!
• Improves landscapes
• Gives children places to play for free
• Using trees to make things locks up carbon in buildings etc

9. Where can I get more information?

There are a number of published reports that give more detailed information about biomass, peak oil, renewable fuels, etc    list and detail

10. Can I help?