Richard Mehmed sets up the country’s first community wood recycling project in Brighton

At a time when only 2% of waste wood is being recycled (with the rest ending up in landfill producing the potent greenhouse gas methane), Richard Mehmed founds Brighton and Hove Wood Recycling Project (later to be known as The Woodstore), the country’s first community wood recycling social enterprise. The project quickly attracts media attention, and more volunteers become involved.

Richard realises that many of them have faced challenges and that volunteering in a community wood recycling project can be a path back to work and self-confidence. This leads to the second part of the recycling project’s mission – to give opportunities to disadvantaged people and help them back into employment.