How can UK furniture and joinery manufacturers play their part to combat global warming?
For anybody running a manufacturing business in 2025 it is hard to ignore the growing need for sustainability in all aspects of your business.
For woodworking companies it is well known that this should start with using FSC certified timber and wood panel products, but how can the benefits of sustainable timber sourcing help other areas of your business reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
This article by Talbott’s Biomass Energy Systems will explore the environmental and financial benefits of sustainability in woodworking, from material sourcing and energy efficient production through to sustainable low carbon waste disposal.
Before you can manufacture sustainably, you first need to source materials sustainably. This might seem obvious to many but how can responsible business ensure that the materials they buy help the fight for carbon neutrality?
FSC certification – The Forestry Stewardship Council
FSC certification for timber is a trusted and respected sign that the wood material was harvested from sustainably managed forestry, and transported in a sustainable method. It is internationally recognised as the primary indicator of environmentally responsible timber supply.
FSC Recycled is the FSC certification for re-manufactured timber and paper products such as chipboard, MDF and plywood. With wood panel products widely used in all areas of manufacturing it is important to create with products that have been sourced, used and recycled responsibly.
When your business uses FSC timber and FSC recycled wood products it is supporting environmentally friendly practices worldwide, but what you do next with this material and any waste residues are equally as important to the fight against climate change!
Modern factory machinery and the factory environment
Factory essentials such as CNC machines, edgebanders, saws, moulders and dust extraction equipment all use electricity – A lot of electricity! In addition to high electricity usage many factories are heated with costly gas heating. Factory heating in the modern age is essential to protect machinery, protect stock and ensure a comfortable environment for staff. Industrial energy usage is one of the largest contributors to UK emissions as well as being one of the biggest costs faced by many.
With energy costs in the UK at record highs all woodworking manufacturers can look at ways in which they can reduce energy usage, making their business more sustainable.
These can include installation of technology such as rooftop solar panels, electric vehicles, clever energy saving control systems such as AirSmart by Air Plants Dust Extraction, or even a Talbott biomass heating system for factory heating and waste disposal.
A study by the UK Government in 2023 showed that roughly two thirds of manufacturers had done something to improve their energy efficiency within the last 5 years. The most common improvements were investing in building improvements, implementing behavioural changes and upgrading industrial equipment.
Large manufacturers with 250+ employees were far more likely to have implemented energy saving measures which means that UK small and medium businesses have a great deal of scope to save energy, reduce carbon and save money!
After you have sourced sustainable materials and manufactured using energy efficient factory machinery, what else should you do to reduce emissions?
Sustainable Wood Waste Management
After the manufacturing is complete it is likely that you will be left with waste materials. For woodworking and furniture producers this often comes in the form of sawdust, wood shavings and solid offcuts. There are several outlets for this material, but many of them are costly to both profits and the environment.
According to UK Government statistics the total commercial and industrial waste generated is over 40m tonnes each year, with almost 700,000 tonnes of wood waste from the UK commercial and industrial sector including manufacturing. (Source – DEFRA statistics on Gov.Uk).
In 2011 the UK sent 27% of all wood waste directly to landfill, creating a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions both from transport and also from landfill decomposition of wood waste which creates methane, a greenhouse gas. Thankfully the percentage of waste wood sent to landfill has reduced over the years as other methods for disposal have become popular for the manufacturing sector such as;
- Animal bedding
- Wood panel manufacturing
- Biomass wood fuel for power and heating
Recycling your waste wood for animal bedding or particle board manufacture can be a good thing for the environment, however it does create Co2 emissions from transport, it does require heavy energy usage for processing and ultimately it does become wood waste that can no longer be recycled. Skip disposal costs in the UK are at all time highs and set to increase further in future years, meaning that this can be an expensive way to handle your waste.
Did you know?
Wood based animal bedding left to decompose naturally on a farmers field after use is a significant contributor of greenhouse gas emissions such as methane?
Transport of waste wood for recycling causes a significant amount of C02e – A 25 mile journey for an 8yd skip lorry can release unto 40kg CO2e for every tonne collected?
How can onsite biomass heating help the environment and save money?
One of the easiest ways for reducing CO2 emissions is to deal with the waste wood material onsite, saving all of the emissions and costs associated with transportation.
Many woodworking manufacturers have invested in equipment such as Talbott’s Biomass heaters to allow safe and efficient combustion of the waste materials onsite, saving time, money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions overall.
By combining sustainably sourced FSC timber with a clean and efficient Talbott system you can save money and save Co2e. Here’s how:
Carbon neutrality
- Sustainable forestry practices – FSC ensures that the source wood comes from sustainable sources
- Carbon neutral – When sustainable wood is burned, it releases the same amount of CO2 that was absorbed during it’s growth. If the wood came from a sustainably managed forest where trees are replanted after harvesting then burning wood is a fully renewable source of energy
- Reduced risk of de-forestation – FSC certifications helps to reduce the risk of deforestation. By choosing sustainably managed woods you can be sure that you are not contributing to the destruction of forests and increase of greenhouse gas emissions
Reduced transportation
- By processing wood waste onsite into biomass energy you are avoiding multiple lorry trips to and from your site, helping the environment and helping traffic in your local area.
- Contributes to cleaner air for your local community
Waste reduction
Diverting wood from landfills, or end of life uses such as farm bedding significantly reduces the burden on overstretched waste management systems. When waste wood decomposes naturally it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Air Quality
While any type of combustion does produce flue gas emissions the Talbott biomass range uses modern, high efficiency technology with advanced filtration systems to minimise particulate matter and other pollutants, ensuring compliance with all relevant air quality regulations
Energy Generation
The renewable heat produced can provide unto 100% of the factory heating needs, reducing reliance on fossil fuels like natural gas or heating oil. This will decrease operational costs significantly and further minimise the carbon footprint of your factory.
Economic advantages for the factory
Utilising your waste wood for energy recovery can lead to significant cost savings for any factory in reduced energy bills and waste disposal fees. This will enhance competitiveness, support local jobs and increase factory profits
For more information on how you can save money and CO2 please email Talbott’s today
