Sustainability
Wood fuel and the forests behind it
Wood pellets are a biomass fuel made from compressed wood fibre. Whether they are a responsible choice depends on how the wood is sourced, made and used.
The fuel
What wood pellets are made from
Most wood pellets are produced from sawdust, shavings and other by-products of sawmilling and wood processing. The material is dried, milled and pressed through a die, where heat and pressure bind it into dense pellets.
Because the wood is compressed and dry, pellets store a lot of energy in a small volume and can be fed automatically, which is what makes them practical for modern stoves and boilers.
Responsible sourcing
Why origin matters
Wood is a renewable resource when forests are managed so that growth keeps pace with harvesting and biodiversity is protected. The climate impact of burning wood is the subject of ongoing scientific and policy discussion, and it varies with the type of wood used, how forests are managed and how far the fuel travels.
For that reason we think it is more honest to talk about sourcing than to make blanket environmental claims. We do not describe our pellets as carbon-neutral, and we will only refer to a certification where we can provide the evidence for the product you are buying.
For buyers
Questions worth asking any supplier
These apply to us as much as to anyone else. Ask them when you enquire and we will answer for the product on offer.
Where does the wood come from?
Ask about the origin of the raw material and whether it is residue from sawmilling or wood harvested for fuel.
Is the supply chain certified?
Forest certification schemes such as PEFC and FSC cover how forests are managed. A supplier claiming one should be able to show the certificate.
How far has it travelled?
Transport adds to the footprint of any fuel, so the distance between production and your store is worth knowing.
Is the product quality certified?
Quality schemes set limits on moisture, ash and fines, which influence how cleanly and efficiently pellets burn.
In use
Using pellets well
How a fuel is burned matters too. A correctly installed and serviced appliance, run on the pellet size and quality its manufacturer specifies and fed with dry fuel, will burn more completely and leave less ash.
Ask us about sourcing
If the origin or certification of your fuel matters to you, tell us in your enquiry and we will address it directly.
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