Archives for June 2023

The GGF are always looking for ways to expand and develop the benefits offering to Members, and are pleased to be able to announce the extension of the GGF Upvc, Glass and Aluminium Recycling Schemes to now include Timber. This expansion means the GGF is now home to a full material recycling service for Members.

Community Wood Recycling

We’ve partnered up with Community Wood Recycling (CWR), a network of social enterprises collecting and reusing waste wood in the most environmentally beneficial way and creating jobs and training for disadvantaged people.

CWR’s mission is to work hard to contribute to a more sustainable, socially inclusive society, by providing an efficient and cost effective collection service for wood that would otherwise go to waste.

By getting involved in CWR’s Timber Recycling scheme, you can contribute to creating life changing opportunities for a wide range of disadvantaged people who will gain confidence and self-esteem, learn a range of useful and transferable skills enabling them to get back to work. People CWR help include ex-offenders, those with mild mental health or learning difficulties and people who have come through drug and alcohol abuse.

What are the Benefits of Recycling Waste Wood?

• You can save money and make an even greater contribution to sustainability
• Cut your waste disposal costs
• Promote reuse and reduce energy use and pollution
• Help us bring positive change to disadvantaged peoples’ lives
• Fulfil CSR and environmental policy commitments

What Wood Can Be Collected?

CWR will collect virtually all waste timber, wood composites, furniture and wooden items, regardless of type or condition. Collections comprised mostly of heavy material such as fire doors, kitchen units or offcuts of sheet materials are charged on a ‘Minimum Load’ basis.

What You Should Know:

• 100% of the Timber CWR collect is either reused or recycled, meaning nothing is going to landfill and creating unnecessary waste. 
• In 2022 alone, CWR provided training and work opportunities for over 600 local unemployed people and created 249 jobs.
• Last year, CWR rescued almost 24,000 tonnes of wood, which is twice the weight of the Eiffel Tower!

Recycle My Timber

If you’d like to have wood collected, please get in contact with CWR, on 01273 20 30 40, or alternatively, please send an email to CWR on pearly@communitywoodrecycling.org.uk and someone will be in touch.

The RIBA CPD Seminar presented by Clement Windows Group and entitled ‘Steel Windows – A New Generation’ saw record attendance last year.

During 2022, Clement presented the CPD to 35 separate architectural practices reaching more than 500 individual architects overall.

The RIBA accredited CPD which covers the history of the steel window, its importance in architecture over the last century and the role of steel windows in relation to legislation, the environment and sustainability now and in the future, is available to architects, specifiers, designers and conservation specialists.  It lasts around an hour and is generally presented over MS Teams.

Some of the feedback received from attendees has included the comments “It was one of the most captivating and passionate CPDs I have had the pleasure of sitting through” and “We had very good reviews all round for not only the CPD but also the presenter who made it very enjoyable to listen to”.

Clement also presents the CPD as part of RIBA’s CPD Provider Hour programme.  More information can be accessed here.

If you think you or your practice would benefit from the listening to the CPD you can book here.