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SCOTTISH WORKING WOODS LABEL
The Scottish Working Woods Label is a guarantee that a woodland product contains at least 90% Scottish grown raw material, and that those materials come from a sustainable source, or were harvested using sustainable methods.
The label can be used for any raw materials or products that derive from the woodland, such as timber; furniture; crafts; food and drink made from wild harvested ingredients; and plant extracts and seeds.
The SWWL is aimed to benefit both the environment and local Scottish people and communities through supporting local growing, harvesting, processing and production of woodland products. Keeping resources local supports local economies and employment, and reduces the environmental impact of the product’s use.
Raising the public profile and understanding of the value of the Scottish Working Woods Label, and Scottish Working Woods products, helps to finance and encourage good management of Scottish woodlands.
Scottish Working Woods and ASHS
The SWWL was founded in 2007 by a small group of ASHS, Scottish Furniture Makers Association (SFMA), and Reforesting Scotland members - supported by Scottish Forestry (then the Forestry Commission). The label promoted ‘low miles’ and sustainably sourced produce, and, when it was launched, was ahead of its time in these areas. Now with the the widespread interest in sustainable local produce and the fresh interest and demand for identification labels such as this one, there is a renewed push within the member organisations to further promote the label - to gain more licensees, to sign up more member organisations and to increase public awareness.
Scottish Working Woods is now made up of four member organisations:
Association of Scottish Hardwood Sawmillers
Scottish Furniture Makers Association
Scottish Wild Harvests Association
Many ASHS members are licensees of the Scottish Working Label. Buying from a SWWL licensees is a guarantee for customers that the timber or product is produced by a Scottish producer, in Scotland, and that the raw material was grown in Scotland. The timber is, as far as possible, sourced locally to the producer and in an environmentally friendly way - creating economic, environmental, and social benefits.
For more information on the Scottish Working Woods Label, and to find out how to apply, visit the Scottish Working Woods website.