Almost half of local authorities are unaware of the availability of recycled wood products for landscaping despite the majority of councils having a corporate policy encouraging the use of recycled material, according to the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

WRAP’s research found that 44% of council procurement officers responsible for landscaping materials did not know about recycled wood products, even though 66% of authorities have policies to source recycled materials.

Only 56% of councils were aware of the full range of materials made from recycled woodchip, including surfacing products for play areas and mulches for roundabouts.

WRAP has published guidelines to help council specifiers recognise the applications and benefits of such products.

&#8220Sustainability is now a national and international agenda item, with local authorities facing mounting pressure to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and adopt a sustainable approach to procurement”

Julia Turner, WRAP material development manager for wood

Julia Turner, WRAP’s material development manager for wood, said; “Sustainability is now a national and international agenda item, with local authorities facing mounting pressure to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and adopt a sustainable approach to procurement.”

Meanwhile, WRAP is hosting an information day aimed at raising awareness about the organisation among potential contractors. The event, at Banbury on April 27, will include presentations on its work in the various material streams, including wood.