Our past projects
“Be the change you want to see”
From our original briquette project to reduce fuel poverty in Stroud we have evolved to work in Africa, France and the UK on a wide variety of projects to promote the sustainable use of natural resources
The Makhad Trust builds wells to maintain the gardens and traditional lifestyles of the Bedouin living in the Sinai mountains. The area suffers terrible droughts which makes life intolerable.
Since 2021 WUW has given an annual grant to the Makhad Trust to create a fund called ERIK to finance unexpected repairs necessary to keep water supplies flowing.
In Africa WUW has provided grants for a new water tank and bio digester at Morning Star academy in Nakuru Kenya to provide toilets and enable the school to stay open.
It has also financed two water boreholes in the Masaka area of Uganda and a rainwater harvesting tank for a local primary school. Working with a charity called Believe and Achieve our grants have installed solar panels and waste water and food composting facilities at their site for orphaned boys.
Our original briquette project
Waste sawdust taken to Leyhill Prison in Gloucestershire to be made into sawdust briquettes to aid local residents in fuel poverty to heat their homes.
Wood U Waste was set to run the briquette project. Our name originates from this project. WUW ran the project very successfully for 5 years from 2008-2013 and it evolved from an in-house Stroud District Council scheme to winning a national award in 2009.
Between 2008 and 2013 it gave away over 1,600 5kg packs of briquettes to the elderly and vulnerable of all ages in the Stroud District and sold approximately 1,800 packs. This means that over 17 metric tonnes of waste sawdust were saved from landfill during the lifetime of the project.
Education
Wood U Waste worked hard to reduce fuel poverty via education and practical training. This was done in a variety of ways including workshops, talks and a partnership with Transition Stroud.
Donation
Until recently a winter fuel payment of up to £300 was made to everyone over 60 in the UK. Between 2011 and 2013 Wood U Waste ran its donation appeal for those who received the payment but wished to donate to those in greater need.
The proceeds of this donation appeal went to four local charities in the Stroud area who worked to keep the elderly and vulnerable safe in their homes. The Appeal raised over £10,000 in just two years and was then taken over by a larger local charity.