Doing Good with Wood

At Aldingbourne Country Centre, the Wood@Aldingbourne enterprise leads the way in sustainability while creating opportunities for the people we support. Every year, the Wood Yard team prevents 300 tonnes of wood from ending up in landfills, contributing to a national initiative that turns discarded building materials into valuable resources.

With the help of the people we support, the wood is collected from construction sites and prepared for resale. This work not only reduces waste but also offers customers high-quality recycled wood at prices far lower than traditional builders' merchants. Our Wood Yard's eco-friendly approach has attracted a loyal customer base that values both the sustainability and unique charm of reclaimed wood.

And they don't stop there. The enterprise is a zero-waste project, using every last scrap of wood. Leftover materials that can't be resold are used to fuel the site's biomass boilers to heat buildings across the site, saving up to £3,000 per monthon winter heating bills. Any wood waste beyond that is turned into heating pellets and shipped to factories in India and China. It all has a home.

"The people we support are actively involved in everything we do," says Commercial & Retail Manager Jason. "They take the lead in the de-nailing, screw-removals, and general tidying of the wood for resale. We take a product that's been written off and, with patience and creativity, produce something with purpose. The parallels between the wood and the people we support are obvious."

The team also repurposes vintage items, like carpenter's toolboxes and cast-iron benches, transforming them into one-of-a-kind furniture pieces. These unique items are highly sought after, and ACC members get a 10% discount on all wood products!

Our wood yard is open seven days a week from 10am to 3pm. Have a question about our eco-friendly products or services, or want to request a wood collection? Simply fill out the form on our website, and we'll be happy to assist you: www.aldingbournewood.org/contact-us

Written by Lizzie Senn. For any media inquiries, please get in touch with [email protected]​