The Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) says its “Recycled Wood Works Wonders” campaign, directed at the landscaping sector, had resulted in a sales growth for 60% of wood recyclers.
The campaign used trade advertising, public relations, direct mail and other marketing methods to target local authority and commercial procurers and specifiers, together with landscape architects and contractors.
WRAP said local authority awareness of recycled wood products (RWPs) for use in landscaping had risen from 2% to 18% since the campaign. Some 33 local authorities are now trialling RWPs and five major studies have been established to learn more about the material’s performance benefits.
It said the consumer sector had also been impacted, with the Scotts Company deciding to sell recycled woodchip under its Levington brand at Focus DIY stores and other garden centres.
“Prior to our campaign, recycled woodchip was one of the best-kept secrets in the landscaping sector,” said Julia Turner, WRAP’s material development manager for wood.