Woodchips Are Often Overlooked

 

Woodchips (seen here in a raw form) are often ground smaller and colored with dye before being spread over playgrounds and planting-bed areas.

Only three per cent of landscape professionals are aware of recycled woodchips?EUR??,,????'??? potential to be used as a loose surfacing material, according to research published in August. The U.K.-based Waste & Resources Action Programme, or WRAP, commissioned the poll of community planners, landscaping contractors and landscape architects in support of the group?EUR??,,????'???s work to promote the benefits of recycled woodchips as a mulch for plant beds and as a surface material for pathways and play areas.

The research also showed that usage of recycled woodchip was even lower at 2 percent, with the main reasons cited by respondents for not using the product being that they were unaware of it, they had never considered it and that it was not available to them.

Many, however, said that they would be motivated to switch to recycled woodchip because it is environmentally friendly, cheaper and cost effective?EUR??,,????'??+or if it had been requested by a client. Of the small proportion with first-hand experience of working with recycled woodchip, the findings were overwhelmingly positive as they considered the product to be good value for money and easy to install.