Wood
An estimated 4.5-4.6 million tonnes of waste wood is generated in the UK each year, deriving from construction and demolition, commercial and industrial and household sources. In 2011, around half (2,148,000 tonnes) of this was recycled or used in energy recovery. This represents a big leap from 1996, when less than 2% was recycled.
Traditionally, the main outlet for clean, recycled woodchip has been the panel board industry, which uses the material in the production of chipboard. However, "value-added" markets such as animal bedding, equine surfacing and garden mulches have been steadily developing.
Dedicated biomass plants – both at home and abroad - are also offering a rapidly-growing growing market for recycled woodchip. This demand is expected to grow considerably over the next few years as the government strives to generate more renewable energy and councils and waste management firm seek to divert lower-grade wood, which is not suitable for recycling, away from landfill.
Reprocessed wood packaging - such as pallets - is eligible for support under the Packaging Waste Recovery Note System (PRN).
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Wood prices 2013
The letsrecycle.com wood recycling price guide is an indication of the gate fee wood recyclers will charge when wood waste is delivered to a wood recycling site. In the years to 2010, payment by the recycler for material was rare because of wood's low value although some recyclers might have paid a little for clean pallet material. From 2010 onwards a gate fee (negative price) is still being charged for most material, although with increasing demand some deliveries of clean pallet wood or even sawmill round wood are attracting a small payment.
High grade - clean white softwood, wooden pallets, timber offcuts, empty packaging crates and joinery waste. All should be free of paint and coverings but some nails and small metal attachments may be acceptable.
Low grade - this includes plywood, doors and window frames, roof timbers and panel products.
Prices will vary considerably depending on cleanliness of the material, volume and location. In general, it will cost more to recycle wood waste in southern England than in northern England and Scotland. Prices are indicative only and are not guaranteed.
Prices shown are £ per tonne of mixed wood delivered to a wood recycler
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High grade | 9 - -23 | 10 - -24 | 10 - -26 | 12 - -30 | ||
| Low grade | -3 - -45 | 0 - -50 | 0 - -50 | -2 - -51 | ||
| Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| High grade | ||||||
| Low grade |
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