Step 1

Repair, restore or adapt an existing item

The best environmental choice

is to

repair restore or adapt a product you already have. You may need professional help but it could still be cheaper than something new and it's far better for the world's forests.

Did you know?

Timber makes up 7-10% of material taken to public waste sites but most of it could be used again.

Top tips for your old timber

Don't send old items to landfill. Here are some ideas for passing the timber on.

Who else would like your old or extra timber?
Can friends or neighbours use the spare timber from your house or garden? Would a local school or community group appreciate timber off-cuts from your DIY or home improvements project?
Can you find a new home for your old furniture?
Some charity shops take good quality second hand furniture and there are over 300 furniture recycling projects around the UK that pass reusable items on to low-income families.
Is your timber good enough to sell?
Some quality timber items, such as doors, fireplaces and kitchen units might be worth selling to a recycling yard, through an advert in a local shop, newspaper, experts in reclaimed building materials.
Does your local authority recycle timber?
Contact your local authority and ask if they recycle wood from its household waste sites or has other timber recycling schemes.

Step 2

Buy secondhand, recycled or reclaimed timber

A better environmental choice than buying new timber.

Did you know?
It is estimated that over 3,000 tonnes of reusable wood is thrown away or burnt from the demolition of old buildings in the UK every working day.

Top tips for buying recycled and reclaimed timber

Do you know what is available?
Check what sizes of fittings and fixtures are easily available from salvage yards before designing DIY projects. For example design your door openings to fit the size of a door easily available.

Can you find wood from older buildings?
Usually better timber comes from older buildings. Victorian pine floors were made from very dense first growth forest timber, incomparable to the new wood sold these days.

Have you thoroughly inspected the goods?
Check every detail. Take your builder with you if you are unsure. Pre-wrapped flooring may look great on the outside but contain mixed sizes making laying expensive. Ask to look inside packaging; good dealers prefer you to check beforehand.

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You Are Currently Viewing: The Good Wood Guide Step

Step 1 Repair, restore or adapt an existing item

Step 2 Buy secondhand, recycled or reclaimed timber

Step 1

Repair, restore or adapt an existing item

Step 2

Buy secondhand, recycled or reclaimed timber