The RE-CASK promotional video.

As the first window of funding comes to an end, we’re taking a look back through our achievements, discoveries and progress in moving towards a more low carbon future.

With our whisky barrel project, RE-CASK, we’ve been able to work our way through approximately 80 oak barrels since the beginning, preventing around 4 tonnes of CO₂ from entering our atmosphere.

Since early 2020, we’ve developed four pilot product ranges and several innovative processing techniques, which have unlocked a whole World of potential for bringing these oak barrels into the circular economy. We’ve spoken to a whole range of people, including businesses, organisations, designers, architects and more, in order to gain valuable insights on how these products could be put into practice, and how we can fine tune them. We also began investigating the impact of the pandemic, and how this has altered what our customers – new and existing – may need, and how these products could help to create innovative solutions.

Along with a wide-ranging portfolio of products, including outdoor furniture, cladding, play equipment and fencing, our unique Grading and Parallel Processing techniques are some of our proudest achievements.

With a highly unusual curved trapezoid shape the staves are notoriously challenging to work with. Combined with the laborious selection process of choosing staves of a specific width, it’s easy to see why little has been done with whisky barrels. For example, a customer or project may specify 40 staves at 120mm. Without our Graded Staves, this might involve breaking down 40 barrels to obtain those 40 staves. And this process would have to be carried out every time, for each and every project and customer. But by having a stock of these categorised staves, this process is now so much more efficient.

Our Parallel Processing technique has been designed to tackle the curved trapezoid shape. By transforming the profile of the staves more towards a rectangular shape, we’ve been able to successfully apply the staves to several of the RE-CASK product ranges. It essentially allows each of the staves to sit precisely alongside one another within their final configuration, and it has also opened up so much potential for those looking to create for themselves. Architects, interior designers and furniture designers for example, now have a material which is far more manageable and useable.

Inspiration: the PD3 Design Space by Richard Shed Studio

Using our Grading and Parallel Processing, it’s the fencing and screens is where there seems to be lots of unusual and practical applications. With the correct fixtures, they could be used as social distancing measures, both indoors and outdoors, as partitions for home offices, moveable and static dividers in commercial spaces like offices and meeting rooms; in bars, restaurants, and even schools; as bin stores, garden partitions and fencing, and so much more. Creatively, they could be used to build bespoke 2 storey sculptural pieces like the one above by Richard Shed Studio, utilising the variety of stave configurations we offer. The opportunities are the limits of your imagination.

Outdoor Play Equipment – Climbing Blocks

Our other ranges also saw positive developments. The outdoor play equipment was put to the test by the children at Milton Community Garden, part of the North Glasgow Community Food Initiative. As a result we’ve been able to make adaptations to improve the safety and longevity of the products even more. See them in action here!

The Checkerboard Cladding within an interior space

Our cladding range was expanded to include some more unusual and creative options, and some of our outdoor furniture pieces were featured in the RE-CASK promotional video above. After several inquiries we’re excited to see on which streets and outdoor spaces the furniture will end up, and the spaces in which our unique cladding will feature! You’ll see below our bench designed in collaboration with Sustrans as part of their Pocket Places project, which you can read more about here.

Although it’s the end of the first stage of the project, we’re very excited to see how RE-CASK will evolve and become part of the GWR portfolio. These oak casks have so much potential, in not only helping us move towards a lower carbon future, but also allowing GWR to continue providing valuable training and employment opportunities to those in the Glasgow area.

It’s good-bye for now from the RE-CASK team, but not from the project. Head to the RE-CASK project page to view the digital catalogues, and please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you’d like to chat about any of the product ranges.

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No longer useful in the whisky making process, the opportunity to think differently about how to maximise the value of these end of life oak whisky barrels was something we couldn’t pass on.

Supported by Zero Waste Scotland, we have begun the process of preventing countless tonnes of CO2 from entering our atmosphere. By repurposing just 20 casks we could prevent approximately one tonne of CO2 from entering our atmosphere. Imagine what we could save with processing some of those 250,000 each year.

RE-CASK is Glasgow Wood Recycling’s latest research and development strand which investigates innovative new products and processes for these oak barrels. As we aim for a more circular economy, these processing techniques are our way of moving closer towards that goal. The objective is to incorporate several of these products and processes into the GWR portfolio, and continue to explore options for these wonderful oak staves.

The project officially began back in August with Katie Falco working on product development, and John Kingston working on fabrication and innovation. Following an in-depth study into the feasibility of the barrels, Glasgow Wood Recycling saw an amazing opportunity in the market to create something more from these casks.

However, RE-CASK is not the first time either of them have worked with reclaimed whisky barrels. Back in 2018, Glasgow Wood Recycling were approached by Chivas Regal to upgrade their reception space utilising whisky barrels. It was this project which set the foundations and sparked ideas for where else these staves could be applied.

Utilising all this invaluable knowledge and understanding, Katie and John embarked on a dismantling the casks and began working on how they could reconfigure the now oak staves into something more useful. Beginning with a small range of cladding and panels, they continued to develop the range further, into outdoor play equipment, a range of screens and fencing and an outdoor bench commissioned by Sustrans which has recently been installed.

Creating innovative processing and categorisation techniques along the way, the team have also been in touch with wood workers in the USA, and also over in Edinburgh at Edinburgh Napier to hopefully discover other applications, processing methods and possible collaborations.

Lucy Watkins joined recently in early October to work on designing the sub-brand for GWR and to identify individuals and companies who would be interested in these products. As a way to meet legal requirements and reduce carbon footprints, to bring unique character to gardens, bars and outdoor spaces, or for those simply looking for climate conscious options, our goal is to provide sustainable solutions to those looking for them. The precarious times we live in mean we need to be highly adaptable and versatile.

At present we have a very unique range of screens and fencing, which besides being used as an alternative to standard fencing, could also become outdoor partitions for events, markets and bars featuring castors to allow for easy manoeuvrability, or be taken into office or home settings and be used to partition off work spaces. We also have a range of outdoor play equipment, cladding and several pieces of bespoke outdoor furniture, and we are now investigating interior accessories and furniture.

But without feedback we can’t begin the process of making these products even better. Which is why we are now asking you, our wonderful customer base, to enquire about our RE-CASK products and begin to put this wonderful material back into circulation.

If you know of any companies or individuals who may be interested in these products we’d also love for you to pass this information on. If you head to our RE-CASK projects page for more information on the project along with the catalogues.

We also know a great deal of you have been coming to buy staves for your own creations. Head to our Instagram to take a look at our RE-CASK highlights, along with all your whisky stave creations, and please keep sharing what you get up to. Stay tuned for updates!

The post RE-CASK: the official launch appeared first on Glasgow Wood.

On the 13th March we’ll be launching 30 new products as part of our latest project. The products are a result of funding awarded by the Scottish Government and European Social Fund for Designs on Growth, our in-house design project.

The products combine recycled materials and innovative design to create inclusive volunteer experiences for the varying levels of ability in our workshop. On display will be a new range of children’s outdoor play products and additions to existing home and garden range.

“Our design project has worked closely with a wide range of our customers but they will probably say working alongside children and teachers has been the most fun. Through this collaboration we now better understand how we can make outdoor play even more enjoyable and many of the products are the direct result of these conversations. We certainly have learned and we will go on in this vein, really listening to our customers, young and old!”

Peter Lavelle, CEO of Glasgow Wood Recycling

The Launch Day

During the day visitors will be able to drop in and tour our South Street premises, try a planter building workshop, meet staff and volunteers, learn about wood recycling and the charities work within the community. The successful launch of these products will help the charity generate a sustainable income; save wood from landfill and grow our training and volunteering programmes to support local people.

The Open Day is free to attend and open to all. View the itinerary, register to attend and book your place on a workshop or tour here.

In 2018, Glasgow Wood Recycling was awarded funding from the Scottish Government and European Social fund for ‘Designs on Growth’; an in-house design project to create 30 well designed, functional products from reclaimed wood.

Glasgow Wood Recycling is a charity and social enterprise established in 2006. We have diverted over 4000 tonnes of wood away from landfill by finding creative and socially inclusive ways to reuse this valuable natural resource. Our workshop manufactures quality indoor and garden furniture and has provided 740 volunteering opportunities and training – and a route to employment – for over 190 people.

Check out our Play & Learning products in our online shop, along with many other products which were made as part of this project.

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Whisky barrels may often be underappreciated in comparison with the value of their delicious contents, but there is a lot more involved in the process of making them than meets the eye.

Of course, whisky lovers and distillers believe that it is what is inside that counts, however, the barrels themselves play a very important role in affecting the aroma and taste of the much sought-after drink.

The manufacturing process is as fascinating as it is crucial to the end product. Since our barrel planters are proving so popular, we thought we would give you a rundown of how the original wood used to craft the barrels eventually goes on to reclaim its rightful place in the garden.

Building the barrel

Whisky barrels are traditionally made from European or American white oak trees, which are only cut down after reaching a certain maturity. Coopers – the art of whisky barrel crafting is also known as coopering – cut the timber into long staves which are then gently steamed or heated so they can be bent into shape.

A standard cask is usually formed with 32 staves plus another 15 to seal the ends. The staves are held together tightly by the metal bands which surround the outside of the barrels and no varnish or paint is used in order to enable the wood to breathe. This is a vital detail in the barrel and whisky making process, as it allows the spirit to soak into the wood, releasing key flavours like vanilla, caramel or cinnamon.

The charring process

The inside of each barrel is then lightly burned to further aid the flavouring process. Charring the staves breaks up the structure of the oak, allowing the liquid to seep into the material easier and produce exciting and varied tastes. The length of time and intensity of the heat at this firing stage impacts on the final flavours in the whisky, with barrels generally being charred for up to one minute.

From distillery to garden

Barrels can be used and reused with new lots of whisky, however, the flavours from the oak diminish each time. Our whisky barrels are sourced from a local distillery and repurposed to give them a new lease of life in the garden. Various shapes and sizes can be halved, lightly sanded and then stained to make perfect planters for your flowers or small trees. While they may be missing their Scotch goodness, the original quality is retained with the rustic and authentic look of the reclaimed oak.

You can view the full range of barrel products in our online shop.

The post The Making Of: Whisky Barrel Planter appeared first on Glasgow Wood.

Wood Unlimited is our new Big Lottery funded training programme which aims to tackle social isolation through woodwork. It’s a 6-week health and well-being themed course aimed at reducing the impact of loss, isolation and loneliness.

The scheme involves a combination of practical woodwork skills, conservation activities and community projects. It aims to support participants as they make community connections to enable continued participation in volunteering and local groups and events.

The programme will be delivered at our workshop in South Street and will include five key elements:

• Practical woodwork skills
• Personal development activities
• A community project
• Making community connections
• Individual action plans to help continued participation

At a recent conference, Cllr Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said:

“Loneliness can have a potentially devastating impact on our daily lives, health and wellbeing. These feelings are even linked with poor health, including high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, and an increased risk of developing dementia.”

There is also a stigma attached to loneliness with almost two-thirds of Glasgow residents surveyed saying that admitting to loneliness is difficult. It is now becoming more prevalent in younger generations as well, going against the common perception and highlighting the severity of the issue.

GWR aims to reduce the stigma of loneliness and social isolation as well as the impact, by getting people together, giving them a place to belong and supporting them to make connections in their community. We are ideally placed to provide this training as we have a proven track record of supporting volunteers and providing opportunities to marginalised groups, helping them to achieve positive outcomes.

Following on from the success of our previous training programme Making Wood Work, this is another exciting chance for our volunteers to meet new people, learn new skills and gain hands-on experience of a craft trade.

The post Wood Unlimited: Initiative tackling social isolation through woodwork appeared first on Glasgow Wood.

Glasgow Wood Recycling’s continued efforts to tackle social exclusion and promote sustainability have been boosted by the announcement of significant funding from the Scottish Government and European Union.

The Social Economy Growth Fund is backing 22 charity groups and community organisations across the country in the latest round of funding and our very own social enterprise is to receive a grant of over £100,000 to support our progression.

By enabling us to develop our current range of products and contributing towards the research and promotion of exciting future items, this money will create new opportunities for growth within the company.

“We are delighted to be awarded this grant from the Scottish Government and EU funds. We are also very excited by the potential to make a real difference, both in terms of growing our organisation and offering a wide range of creative opportunities for all those involved in the new project.”

Peter Lavelle, CEO of Glasgow Wood Recycling

Providing work opportunities and maintaining a commitment to our volunteers remains our key goal here at GWR, however, this funding will also allow us to expand our range of handcrafted indoor and outdoor furniture.

The profits made from selling our fantastic products, all expertly made from reclaimed timber at our workshop on South Street, go straight back into the organisation to support our volunteers and the wonderful work they do. By developing new and exciting items as well as bespoke pieces, our customers can continue to rely on us for quality wood products as well as play their own part in supporting their local community and challenging social stigmas.

“The Social Economy Growth Fund enables organisations to design and deliver community-led solutions to overcome poverty, disadvantage and inequalities – which is a key principle of our Fairer Scotland Action Plan. This is about regenerating and empowering communities so they can become more resilient and find the answers to tackling inequality for long-term benefit. To help achieve this we are encouraging councils and third sector partners to develop local strategies that advance the social enterprise sector in every part of Scotland.”

Aileen Campbell, communities secretary

The funding is part of a £4 million pledge by the European Social Fund and Scottish Government for projects throughout the country to address poverty and support local action.

Keep up to date with all our projects be following us on social media!

The post Designs on Growth appeared first on Glasgow Wood.

Following in the footsteps of San Patrignano Bakery in Italy and Luminary Bakery in London, Freedom bakery was created by Matt Fountain, and is supported by his team comprised of bread masters Scott and Lee, 6 apprentices, one apprentice on community placement and three behind the scenes interns.

Matt Fountain, Founder of Freedom Bakery, an innovative social enterprise “If we can produce in people a passion for a career we go one step further towards them turning away from further crime.”

Established in April 2015, Freedom Bakery is a different kind of social enterprise called a Community Interest Company (CIC). In other words, a company with a social conscience or a kind of commercial social enterprise. This means that while remaining a social enterprise with the values of social good it implies, Freedom Bakery is first and foremost a company that aims to remain competitive on the bread front.

The marketing of the bakery revolves around the products they make, mostly delicious breads and pastries, and the bakery reinvests 65% of its profits back into the company while the 35% remaining are paid to shareholders. This is what makes the company different: a social enterprise normally reinvests all of their profits back into the community. This strategy and business plan have proven successful, enabling the company to be self-sustaining, sustainable, competitive and making it attractive to other stakeholders and businesses.

An Innovative Social Enterprise

Being a successful social enterprise with a focus on commerce does not mean that the social goals are overshadowed by the financial and economic incentives of the company, on the contrary. Learning the craft of bread making presents an incredible asset for the trainees post-release by giving them a wide range of skills “commitment, discipline, respect for themselves and for others” that will help them find further employment in the baking industry but also beyond.

Matt Fountain and his teams work clearly show their passion and their convictions but also demonstrates that giving a chance to people who are marginalised pays off in every aspect. Reducing re-offending through employment opportunities benefits the tax payer (£940,000 of associated criminal justice costs per individual), the company, and of course the individual himself.

It makes the trainees much more employable by putting them in a workplace environment similar to one that they could encounter outside of prison. It has also been proven that giving inmates training and helping them find employment stops them from re-offending. Being an innovative social enterprise with an emphasis on commerce is therefore not only profitable for the company itself but also for the inmates.

The bakery overall helps inmates maintain a sense of dignity, teaches them valuable skills and challenges the ways they are seen, confirming that they can definitely help and give back to society positively. More recently, things have been looking bright for the bakery which recently won Social Enterprise of the Year in the East Dunbartonshire Business awards in May and is about to open their very own café. This is incredible news, not only for any bread/food lover but also because it means that the bakery will be able to employ their own trainees on the outside through their own café.

You can find their tasty products here:

Cafe G R O

The Wild Olive Tree

The Scullery

Roots Fruits and Flowers

For FIKA Sake

Harvest Co-op

Milk Cafe Glasgow

Locavore Shop & Deli

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