National Community Wood Recycling Project

What National Community Wood Recycling Project does

National Community Wood Recycling Project (NCWRP), trading as Community Wood Recycling, is a UK not-for-profit Company Limited by Guarantee founded in 1998 by Richard Mehmed. It operates as a nationwide network of 24 independently operated social enterprises providing waste wood collection services to commercial clients, primarily construction companies, and reselling reclaimed timber through a network of physical wood stores. The organization employs a hybrid go-to-market combining enterprise field sales for commercial waste collection with direct-to-consumer retail through 24 storefronts selling reclaimed timber, pallet wood, plywood, OSB, hardwoods, and bespoke wooden products.

Core operations revolve around physical wood collection, sorting, processing, and resale activities, with member enterprises also providing bespoke woodworking commissions for corporate and community clients. There are no disclosed proprietary technology platforms; the technology stack consists of woodworking and furniture-making capabilities, collection logistics, and standard commercial operations. The organization holds certifications including ISO 9001, SafeContractor, SafePQQ, Constructionline Silver, Living Wage Employer, and SCSS Gold Member status, and has been named in the NatWest SE100 Top 100 Social Enterprises index for six consecutive years.

The business model generates revenue through three streams: commercial waste wood collection services (quote-based, pay-as-you-go), reclaimed timber retail sales across the network of wood stores, and bespoke commissioned products for corporate and community projects. Customers include major UK construction and infrastructure firms (EQUANS, Mitie, Kier Group, Morgan Sindall, Wates Group, Willmott Dixon, Robertson Group, Siemens) participating in the Buy Social Corporate Challenge, alongside individual consumers, charities, and public sector bodies. Pricing is opaque and quote-based. In 2025 the network engaged 600 local people in work and training opportunities and sustained 205 jobs across the member enterprises.

Name

National Community Wood Recycling Project

Legal name

National Community Wood Recycling Project

Website

https://communitywoodrecycling.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Community Wood Recycling is a UK not-for-profit network of 24 social enterprises founded in 1998 that collects commercial waste wood, resells reclaimed timber through retail stores, and provides bespoke woodworking services while delivering employment and training to disadvantaged people.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Waste Wood Recycling & Reclaimed Timber Services

NAICS

Wood Product Manufacturing (321)

SIC

Lumber & Wood Products (No Furniture) (2400)

akta.pro primary industry

Wood Waste Processing & Recycling (Mulch, Biomass Feedstock) (EUAIAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wood Waste Processing & Recycling (Mulch/Biomass) (BPALAJAE), Wood Remanufacturing (Mouldings, Millwork Blanks, Cut Stock) (IMAMABAI)

Keywords

• Waste wood recycling
• Reclaimed timber sales
• Commercial wood collection
• Social enterprise woodworking
• Bespoke reclaimed furniture

Headquarters

HQ city

Brighton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Waste Wood Collection Services: Commercial waste wood collection service provided to construction companies and businesses producing timber or pallet waste. This generates revenue while providing feedstock for the timber stores.
2. Reclaimed Timber Sales: Sale of reclaimed wood including softwood in standard dimensions, plywood, chipboard, OSB, hardwoods, pallet slats, cable reels, and scaffold board through the network of wood stores.
3. Bespoke Wood Products: Commissioned custom wooden products and commercial builds for clients, creating higher-value revenue opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Community Wood Recycling operates a nationwide network of 24 social enterprises that collect waste wood from commercial clients (construction companies and businesses producing timber/pallet waste), process and sort the material, and resell it as reclaimed timber through physical wood stores. The organization also offers bespoke woodworking commissions and produces custom wood products for corporate, community, and individual buyers, while providing paid work and training to disadvantaged people.

Product overview

Community Wood Recycling operates as a nationwide network of 24 social enterprises providing a unified waste wood collection and reclaimed timber service. The core offering combines commercial waste wood collection from construction sites and businesses, distribution through a network of reclaimed timber stores selling various wood types and dimensions, and bespoke woodworking commissions. The network also produces specific products including wildlife habitats (hedgehog houses, bird boxes, bat boxes), outdoor furniture and planters, custom commercial builds for corporate clients, and community space installations. Individual member enterprises operate under various names (Glasgow Wood, EMERGE Touch Wood, Leeds Wood Recycling, Wood Saints, New Life Wood) while sharing the collective mission of wood reuse and social impact.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Waste Wood Collection Service Commercial waste wood collection service that collects wood waste (timber, pallets, construction wood) from construction companies and businesses across the UK, feeding the reclaimed timber stores and providing reporting/documentation for sustainability compliance.
• Reclaimed Timber Stores Nationwide network of 24 wood stores selling reclaimed timber including softwood in standard dimensions, plywood, chipboard, OSB, hardwoods, pallet slats, cable reels, and scaffold boards to individuals, businesses, and community buyers.
• Bespoke Woodworking Commissioned custom woodworking services producing bespoke items from reclaimed wood including furniture, planters, bird boxes, bat boxes, bug hotels, benches, and other custom pieces for commercial and individual clients.
• Commercial Builds Larger-scale commercial construction and installation projects built from reclaimed wood, such as outdoor wellbeing areas (e.g., Siemens Energy seating for up to 25 people in Manchester) and dementia gardens for healthcare settings (e.g., Oasis Garden at Rochdale Infirmary).
• Reclaimed Wood Planters Custom-built planters made from reclaimed materials including whisky casks, scaffold boards, and other reclaimed timber for gardens and community spaces (e.g., 22 planters for the Bee Line Project supporting pollinators).
• ReMakeIt Kits DIY kit products launched by Leeds Wood Recycling that allow customers to assemble their own items from reclaimed wood at home.
• Wildlife Habitat Products Flat-pack wildlife habitat products (including hedgehog houses) made from reclaimed sheet wood by network member enterprises for commercial and retail customers.
• Wooden Trophies Custom trophies made from reclaimed wood and metal offcuts, produced by network member enterprises for awards ceremonies and events.

Quantifiable outcome

• 600 local people provided work and training opportunities in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EQUANScoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner in Buy Social Corporate Challenge, using Community Wood Recycling's waste wood collection services as part of social procurement commitments
• MitiecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner in Buy Social Corporate Challenge, supporting social procurement through waste wood collection services
• Robertson GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner in Buy Social Corporate Challenge, using Community Wood Recycling's services as part of sustainable procurement
• SiemenscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner in Buy Social Corporate Challenge; EMERGE Touch Wood created wellbeing area for Siemens Energy in Manchester
• Wates GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor corporate partner; sustained relationship including festive workshops, community projects, and supply chain awards
• Willmott DixoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner in Buy Social Corporate Challenge; multiple joint projects including Oasis Garden at Rochdale Infirmary
• Kier GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner10-year partnership; over 9,170 tonnes of wood recycled; 220+ construction sites served; joint community projects including outdoor classroom
• Morgan SindallcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple awards including Social Value Award 2020 and Climate Action Award 2024; ongoing collaboration on recycling challenges
• Cygnet HealthcareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTwo-year partnership with New Life Wood; individuals from Cygnet residential service learning woodworking skills
• North Somerset CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting Birnbeck Pier restoration; Somerset Wood Recycling transforming salvaged timber into products for pier shop
• Social Enterprise UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational membership body for social enterprises; participation in Buy Social Corporate Challenge bringing social enterprises into supply chains
• UK Green Building Council (UKGBC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Wood Recycling featured as a solution on UKGBC website showcasing sustainability in built environment
• Wood Recyclers' Association (WRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association; WRA data shows 97%+ of UK waste wood processed in 2023; Community Wood Recycling actively participates in WRA events and presentations
• Siemens EnergyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEMERGE Touch Wood created wellbeing area for Siemens Energy in Manchester; 100% rescued wood from various sources including velodrome track and whiskey barrels
• Willmott DixoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject managed the Oasis Garden at Rochdale Infirmary; funded by NorthCare Charity and NHS Charities Together
• NorthCare CharityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial charity of NHS trust; funded the Oasis Garden dementia project using reclaimed wood from EMERGE Touch Wood
• COWIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational consultancy commissioned Glasgow Wood for Charing Cross station project as part of ScotRail's Adopt-a-Station initiative
• ScotRailminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdopt-a-Station initiative; recommended Glasgow Wood for Charing Cross station raised beds and barrel trains
• Stork UKminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupplier of de-commissioned scaffold boards to Glasgow Wood; exchange arrangement for charitable donations
• Glasgow Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for COP26 'Made in Glasgow' showcase highlighting circular economy and sustainability
• IdoxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecialist information management software company; annual volunteering day at Glasgow Wood
• Grow 73minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Lanarkshire charity; Glasgow Wood supplied reclaimed oak whisky casks for Bee Line Project creating 22 planters for pollinators
• Leeds Women's AidminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal charity supporting women and children who have experienced domestic abuse; received Christmas gifts made by Leeds Wood Recycling from Wates Group workshop

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Reuse Network UK: National umbrella for UK reuse charities operating reuse shops and collections. Mirrors NCWRP's network-of-social-enterprises structure and reuse-via-retail revenue model.
• Furniture Re-use Network: UK umbrella network of charitable social enterprises collecting, refurbishing and reselling used furniture and household items. Comparable as a federated social-enterprise model monetising waste streams through local member organisations.
• The Pallet Loop: UK pallet reuse and pooling network recovering wooden assets from construction and retail supply chains. Closely comparable to NCWRP because it converts wood waste into reusable products through a national collection-and-redistribution model.

Emerging players

• Bulky Bob's: UK-based social enterprise providing bulky waste collection, reuse and recycling services in the North West of England. Operates a comparable hybrid commercial-collection-plus-social-impact model targeting wood and other bulky streams.

Broad incumbents

• Veolia UK: Global environmental services operator with UK commercial waste collection including wood and construction streams. Comparable as a large-scale competitor in C&D wood collection, although not social-enterprise led.
• Jewson: National UK builders' merchant with a significant timber and sheet materials range. Comparable as a competing outlet for construction-grade wood products though without a reclaimed/recycled focus.
• Biffa Waste Services: One of the UK's largest commercial waste management companies offering commercial wood and construction waste collection at scale. Competes head-to-head with NCWRP for construction site wood contracts but without the social enterprise proposition.
• SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK: UK arm of SUEZ providing commercial waste and recycling services including timber recycling. Comparable as a large incumbent competing for the same construction-sector wood waste volumes.
• Travis Perkins: UK's largest distributor of timber and building materials with a national branch network. Comparable as a buyer and channel for wood products to trades, but a traditional commercial lumber merchant rather than a recycler.
• Howarth Timber & Building Supplies: UK timber and building products merchant with a national branch estate. Comparable as a competing channel to NCWRP's reclaimed-timber retail stores for DIY and trade customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/communitywoodrecycling
• Instagraminstagram.com/communitywoodrecycling
• Pinterestpinterest.com/communitywoodrecycling
• Xx.com/ncwrp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-community-wood-recycling-project

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Community Wood Recycling Project