Council's pledge on buying sustainable wood products

Published 26 January 2012

The Vale of Glamorgan Council has signed up to a scheme to stop the trade in illegally-logged and unsustainable timber.

The council’s cabinet approved signing up to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Bronze pledge on buying timber and wood products.

The charity has invited councils to sign a timber pledge as part of its What Wood You Choose campaign.

The purchase of legal and sustainable timber and wood products - which includes things like paper, furniture, fencing and pallets - supports the council’s  procurement strategy of enshrining an ethical standard into its procurement processes.

It also follows the council’s procurement guidance of considering environmental factors when making purchasing decisions.

Successful participants are awarded a special badge from WWF to display on their websites and newsletters.

Council leader and cabinet member for finance, ICT and property, Gordon Kemp, said the council’s Sustainability Working Group had decided that a pledge at bronze level would be consistent with the work already being undertaken by the council.

He added: “The council already sources wood it buys directly through the Welsh purchasing consortium.

“But we were more than happy to sign up to this pledge, as part of our commitment to working in partnership with others towards a more sustainable community and economy.”