Sustainability & Ready to Burn
A Greener Way to Burn
Supporting sustainable forestry and cleaner air through responsible wood sourcing
The Environmental Case for Sustainable Wood Use
Wood is a carbon-neutral resource—but only when it's harvested and burned properly. When trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. If felled and processed sustainably, the CO₂ released during combustion is roughly equal to the CO₂ absorbed during the tree's lifetime. This closed carbon cycle makes properly managed wood an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels.
However, irresponsible harvesting, inefficient burning, and high-moisture logs can undermine this balance. This is where LogLinx steps in—to guide sellers and buyers toward sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the community.
What Is "Ready to Burn" and Why It Matters
The Ready to Burn certification is a UK government-backed scheme introduced to address air quality concerns. It ensures that wood fuel sold for domestic use contains no more than 20% moisture. The goal is to promote cleaner combustion and reduce air pollution caused by burning wet or unseasoned wood.
Benefits of Ready to Burn Logs:
- Lower Emissions: Less moisture means less smoke and fewer harmful particulates.
- Higher Efficiency: Dry wood produces more heat per log, improving fuel economy.
- Cleaner Chimneys and Appliances: Reduced tar and creosote build-up.
- Legal Compliance: In the UK, firewood sold in volumes under 2m³ must be Ready to Burn certified.
Ready to Burn Certified
The Law and Compliance: Why It's Crucial
In May 2021, the UK introduced legislation requiring all domestic firewood sold in small quantities to be certified as Ready to Burn. This legal mandate applies to:
- Logs under 2 cubic metres
- Pre-packaged firewood
- Online and physical sales
Failure to comply could result in penalties for sellers and health consequences for consumers due to increased indoor and outdoor air pollution.
Sellers on LogLinx are encouraged—and expected—to follow these regulations to ensure safety, legality, and environmental responsibility.
Moisture Content: The Hidden Villain
Moisture content is the most important factor in how cleanly and efficiently wood burns. Wet wood (above 20% moisture) burns poorly, emits more smoke, and produces significantly more pollution.
Why Wet Wood Is Problematic:
- Incomplete combustion results in particulate matter (PM2.5) that damages lungs.
- Steam from high-moisture logs cools stove temperatures, reducing efficiency.
- Wet logs cause creosote buildup, increasing the risk of chimney fires.
Using a moisture meter to check wood before burning or selling is a small step that makes a big difference.
Best Practices for Consumers
- ✓Buy Certified: Always look for the "Ready to Burn" logo or ask for moisture readings.
- ✓Store Correctly: Keep logs off the ground in a dry, ventilated location with a rain cover.
- ✓Use a Moisture Meter: Check logs before burning. Even well-stored logs can reabsorb moisture.
- ✓Choose the Right Size: Smaller, split logs dry faster and burn more completely.
- ✓Don't Burn Treated Wood: Avoid pallets, painted, or chemically treated timber—they release toxins when burned.
Best Practices for Sellers on LogLinx
- ✓Dry Logs Properly: Air-dry logs for at least 12-24 months or kiln-dry them to speed up the process.
- ✓Use Accurate Labelling: Always specify moisture content, species, and whether wood is Ready to Burn certified.
- ✓Offer Transparency: Show photos of your wood storage and drying setup to build buyer trust.
- ✓Encourage Bulk Orders: Larger volumes reduce packaging and emissions from delivery.
- ✓Provide Education: Help buyers understand how to use and store firewood sustainably.
Kiln-Dried vs. Air-Dried Wood
Air-Dried
- Natural process
- Takes 12–24 months
- Ideal for those with space and time
- Lower carbon footprint
Kiln-Dried
- Fast (days to weeks)
- Consumes energy, but some kilns use biomass fuel
- Produces highly consistent results
- Typically lower moisture content
LogLinx encourages sellers to disclose their drying method and fuel source when kiln-drying wood.
Reducing Waste with Smart Timber Use
Another dimension of sustainability is avoiding waste. LogLinx supports reusing offcuts, sawdust, and surplus wood through listings for:
Free collection
Firewood bundles
Timber offcuts for woodworking
This helps:
- Divert usable material from landfills
- Support local makers and crafters
- Lower the carbon footprint of disposal
Sustainability Beyond the Fire
Sustainable wood use extends into woodworking, building, and even cooking:
- Furniture Making: Choose reclaimed or FSC-certified timber
- Construction: Opt for engineered wood products with low environmental impact
- Smoking and Grilling: Use untreated hardwoods for clean, flavorful results
LogLinx encourages all users—sellers, buyers, and hobbyists—to treat wood as a valuable, renewable resource, not a disposable commodity.
The Role of Community and Responsibility
Every seller and buyer on LogLinx is part of a broader sustainability movement. Whether you're chopping logs in your backyard, supplying timber from your business, or lighting a fire for your family, your choices have environmental impacts.
As a community, we must:
- •Educate one another
- •Share sustainable tips
- •Report non-compliant listings
- •Support eco-conscious sellers
LogLinx provides forums, guides, and listings to promote best practices and keep sustainability at the forefront.
Looking Ahead: What LogLinx Is Doing
To further our mission of sustainability, LogLinx is developing:
A seller verification badge for Ready to Burn compliance
Educational content for new woodburners
Eco-friendly packaging and transport partnerships
Category filters for certified wood and offcut reuse
We believe these steps will make our platform the cleanest, most sustainable place to trade firewood and timber in the UK.
Join Our Sustainable Wood Movement
Sustainable firewood isn't just about reducing emissions—it's about protecting forests, supporting communities, and making cleaner choices for the future. "Ready to Burn" is more than a standard—it's a step toward responsible wood usage and a healthier environment for all.