Logging on to a green fuel idea

THREE business partners have set up a green business in Oldham to exploit the global theme of saving the planet.

Mick Hallwood, Anthony Keegan and Wayne Sansby are behind Green Planet Fuel which, as their business motto suggests, supplies “fuel that won’t cost the earth”.

Essentially the three men, all of whom have maintained their full-time jobs while working to establish the business as a viable operation, collect wood which they dry out, chop and bundle into fuel for wood burning stoves.

They have taken a three year-lease on a two-acre site at Hill Stores, Oldham, and are already working with three tree lopping and pruning businesses in Oldham and Rochdale to recycle wood which previously went into landfill.

Ultimately they hope to become a first-point of call for tree surgeons in the private and public sectors — working with council parks departments — to dispose of logs.

They are also prepared to accept clean (no paint or nails) wood from building sites.

Mick (56), from Springhead, a decorator by trade, said: “At the moment tree surgeons are paying to dispose of logs which then go into landfill.

“Every year 10 million tonnes of wood is produced for disposal in the UK, yet only 1.5 million tonnes is recycled.

“Landfilling organic materials leads to emissions of methane gas, which is 21 times more damaging to the environment than carbon dioxide.

“We believe that recycling wood offers a real opportunity to reduce landfills, reduce emissions and improve the economic vitality of our country.”

His partners Anthony (53), from Moorside, and Wayne (33), from Springhead, are firmly on board with the ethos and all are prepared to work until September without any financial reward.

This is when the partners expect to start selling their bundled wood to the increasing number of people who own wood-burning stoves. Sales of such appliances rose by 30 per cent in the UK last year.

They are also organising a chippings service which, ultimately, they hope to sell to power stations.

With help from Groundwork Oldham, and what Mick calls invaluable advice from Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Phil Woolas, the three partners are convinced they are on to a business winner.