A Community Built on Wood
In a world facing both environmental and social challenges, Leeds Wood Recycling offers a refreshing, grassroots solution – doing social good using your waste wood. Based in Holbeck, Leeds Wood Recycling is a proud social enterprise, putting people, not profit first. From transforming discarded timber into treasure, to empowering local individuals through meaningful work and training, Leeds Wood Recycling is much more than just a recycling operation – it’s a community.
Leeds Wood Recycling is part of the circular economy, a movement that works to fight climate change by ensuring nothing goes to waste and everything has value. Instead of “make, use, dispose,” the circular model encourages “make, use, remake” – and that’s exactly what Leeds Wood Recycling does with wood.
Through their cost-effective waste wood collection service, they divert reusable timber from construction sites, businesses, and homes, breathing new life into it through their reclaimed wood shop. To date, they’ve diverted over 45,884 cubic yards of wood from landfill – the equivalent of nearly 14 Olympic swimming pools – and saved more than 2,294 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
But what truly sets Leeds Wood Recycling apart is how they use this process to empower people.
Reuse, Rebuild, and Restore Lives
As a social enterprise, Leeds Wood Recycling reinvests all surplus into the community. They run training and employability programs for adults with learning disabilities, young people in need of work experience, and individuals facing isolation or disadvantage. These initiatives offer free training, practical skills, and a place to belong.
“I felt a great deal of happiness that Danny had found a place where he could enjoy his work and learn skills he’s interested in and good at. Danny also started to speak a little bit more at home. I didn’t make a fuss, but my heart swelled because I know this was because his confidence had been built by attending the course.”
Parent of one volunteer
A Truly Human Workplace
Leeds Wood Recycling’s success isn’t just about wood or workshops – it’s about people. The team behind it all are a wonderfully eclectic bunch, all absolutely potty about gardening, with an ongoing veggie swap between staff. Ian, for instance, has grown the biggest salad onions anyone has ever seen – and yes, everyone is still jealous.
Then there’s Gnocchi, the office dog and unofficial mascot of Leeds Wood Recycling . He lives in Managing Director Charlie Stanley’s office and spends his days either sleeping like a log or enthusiastically chasing his tail.
Once a year, the whole Leeds Wood Recycling community – staff and volunteers alike – gathers for Woodfest, their much-loved annual festival. It’s a weekend of camping, food, games, and fiercely competitive rounders.
You could say that at Leeds Wood Recycling, team spirit is always grain-deep.
Get Involved
Leeds Wood Recycling is open to everyone. You can:
- Buy beautiful reclaimed wood or hand-crafted products in-store or online (gift cards available!)
- Book a wood collection for your home or business
- Join a woodwork workshop – great for learning new skills
- Volunteer and be part of the team
- Partner through corporate away days or sponsorship
Whatever your connection, you’ll be helping Leeds Wood Recycling build a cleaner environment and a stronger, more inclusive community.
Make a Difference
Leeds Wood Recycling shows us what’s possible when sustainability meets heart. Every plank of reused wood, every volunteer trained, and every smile at Woodfest is part of a bigger picture – one where waste becomes opportunity and communities grow strong, together.
Free 6-Week Makers Group in 2025!
Learn to use tools, recycle waste wood, and build a bikeshed for a local group. Choose your focus
– from hands-on making to support work and CV-boosting training.
Tuesdays, 9:30am – 3pm | Holbeck LS11 9RT
Ages 18+ | 10 places per group
Email [email protected] to sign up!
Visit: www.leedswood.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
