Ethical And Sustainable – It’s In Our DNA
Where It Started
Back in 2011, we noticed a stockpile of waste wood while on holiday in Cordoba, Spain. It turned out to be waste wood from the pruning and replanting from local olive farms. We enquired locally and found out that the local community used a little of it for firewood and cooking as it was fantastic for making a good sustainable fire, with larger pieces used for woodturning enthusiasts.
However, most of the wood just sat there to rot as there was more than they could use. It dawned on us that to utilise this waste wood for fuel in a country where the fuel source is needed made sense. The carbon released from the waste wood is the same if burned for heating or cooking, making it carbon neutral and even more so if saving the use of other fossil fuels. The Green Olive Firewood Company was born, and we started bringing the waste wood into the UK as firewood.
Wood Sustainability
Our operations are based in Grantham, which is where we distribute a wide variety of wood products for cooking and heating. From the company’s beginning, we have kept the same ethics. We process local logs from managed woodlands and estates with clear woodland management programmes for replanting and felling and most of our kiln drying is powered by wind and solar, making us a truly sustainable and ethical organisation. Our plan for 2026 is to become almost entirely net zero.
Any woods or wood products we import, such as olive wood, come from authorised and managed farms or woodlands, and we undertake full due diligence in ensuring all the wood we use is from managed and sustainable sources.
Ready to Burn
Our firewood logs are also certified under the ‘Ready to Burn’ scheme administered by Woodsure. The kiln dryers that are used are powered off grid by wind and solar.
Packaging
How and what we pack our goods is crucial for our future. In 2013 we sold our firewood in wood crates we made that could be burned as firewood also. Unfortunately, the extra cost incurred meant we couldn’t be competitive, meaning sales were not as we had previously hoped. Since then, we have made sure any net bags we use are fully recyclable and made with a percentage of recycled material. We mainly use paper or cardboard for our charcoal and firelighter products.
Our bags can all be sent back to us for recycling. Alternatively, you can bring our bags to your local recycling centre to be recycled.
Firestarter’s and Firelighters
All our products are designed and prepared with the environment in mind. The firelighters we offer do not use chemicals and only use vegetable oil or wax mixed with wood biomass.
Charcoal
With our British charcoals, the wood is sourced sustainably and heated and starved of oxygen in a charcoal retort that gives zero emissions, powered by waste woods.
The charcoal that we import is from managed woodlands. Our professional and restaurant-quality charcoal is from the she-oak tree (the official name of the casuarinas tree). The She-oak tree is one of the fastest-growing dense hardwoods that grow in harsh environments making it perfectly renewable and sustainable for the firewood and charcoal industry. This tree has been identified for active climate protection in Europe and a project has begun in Egypt see https://www.sekem.com/en/egyptian-trees-for-active-climate-protection-in-europe/
Composts
Our Sustainability Commitment: Biochar Carbon Gro Composts and Recycled Coffee
At the heart of our sustainability efforts lies a dedication to “Brewing a Greener Future.” Our approach centers around the innovative reuse of spent coffee grounds, a crucial part of our contribution to the circular economy. In the UK alone, over 500,000 tonnes of coffee waste are generated each year, much of which ends up in landfills, producing methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more harmful than CO₂. By repurposing these coffee grounds into our Coffee Compost Soil Improver Coffee Pellets. we significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to landfilling, turning what would be waste into a resource that benefits both your garden and the planet.
Our Coffee Garden range not only utilises recycled coffee grounds but also enhances the natural biology and productivity of your soil. This nutrient-rich compost enriches the earth, supporting healthy plant growth while promoting environmental sustainability. By choosing our compost, you’re making a positive impact on the ecosystem, creating a thriving environment for your plants while helping to combat climate change.
Additionally, we offer Carbon Gro biochar, a unique form of charcoal created through pyrolysis—heating organic waste wood in the absence of oxygen. This process captures carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. Biochar is stable and does not degrade, enhancing soil quality for centuries. As a carbon-negative product, it acts as a carbon sink, helping to lower CO₂ levels in the air. A single 5-liter pack of our Carbon Gro biochar can sequester approximately 6 kg of CO₂ when integrated into the soil, showcasing our commitment to sustainable practices.
Together, our Carbon Gro compost products and recycled coffee initiatives represent our unwavering commitment to sustainability. By embracing innovative solutions that enhance the health of our soils and reduce waste, we’re paving the way for a greener future for generations to come.
Our commitment remains steadfast in championing ethical and environmentally friendly practices. After all, we are entrusted with only one liveable planet—let’s work together to protect it!