Orbit Homes is celebrating after recycling unused wood weighing more than 200 tonnes from its construction sites, following a partnership with sustainable social enterprise, Community Wood Recycling
Community Wood Recycling has been providing a commercial waste wood collection service for Orbit Homes since 2020. This includes six of Orbit Homes’ new-build developments across the Midlands, East and South of England.
Community Wood Recycling consists of 30 social enterprises, who collect and reuse waste wood from construction sites, whilst creating jobs and providing training for disadvantaged or unemployed people.
In 2021, Orbit Homes celebrated after recycling more than 200 tonnes of unused wood
Last year, the partnership helped save more than 200 tonnes of unused wood from the waste stream and a further 103 tonnes in CO2 emissions by replacing skips with collection trucks. It also contributed to creating paid jobs and training for local people.
Retrieved materials could then be reused by the community for DIY and building projects or made into products such as bird boxes or dining tables. Some of the wood was unsuitable for repurposing and so it was then recycled into woodchip and used in the manufacture of particleboard, animal beddings or as carbon neutral fuel in power stations.
‘Building thriving communities in a sustainable manner’
Group director of Orbit Homes, Helen Moore commented:
“We are committed to working with suppliers who share our passion for building thriving communities in a sustainable manner and we are extremely proud to be partnered with Community Wood Recycling on a number of our developments.
“Working with this fantastic social enterprise not only lessens the impact we have on the environment, but also helps to deliver social value and create a better society, by providing work and training opportunities to those who are in need of support to get into meaningful employment.”
‘Our partnership helps to build a circular economy and enables our work with some of the most vulnerable people in our communities’
A range of work opportunities are available at Community Wood Recycling offers a wide range of work opportunities, such as collecting wood from sites, recycling unused wood, preparing timber for sale, and making wooden products.
Ex-offenders, people with learning difficulties and those recovering from substance abuse or ill mental health find that the labour-intensive activity can help build their confidence and self-esteem. It also contributes to learning new skills and overcoming barriers to finding employment.
Richard Mehmed, the managing director of Community Wood Recycling, added:
“Orbit Homes is creating real social value by working with Community Wood Recycling. Our partnership helps to build a circular economy and enables our work with some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. We are very grateful for this support, and we look forward to our relationship going from strength to strength.”
