Sustainability

Timber is the ultimate renewable. Trees capture and store carbon and are renewable, recyclable and biodegradable. When we choose sustainably and responsibly harvested timber over other materials, we reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and their consequent carbon emissions. 

Sustainable use of natural forests, as stated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is considered a key step toward a sustainable economy.¹

Timber can be used to increase a buildings ‘life cycle assessment’, has minimal embodied energy and the ability to change appearance by re-painting/staining as trends change – we believe there is no better product!

Timber by-products can be used for carbon neutral energy sources or fertilizers and (providing that we replace what we harvest) is the only truly sustainable building material we have. Aluminium, steel, concrete & plastic are not produced from renewable sources.

Claims made by ASH are backlinked to their scientific source where relevant. ASH are third party audited and accredited to PEFC, ISO14001 & ISO45001. Our materials are used in some of Australia’s most environmentally friendly buildings with GBCA 6-star ratings.

Of course, many of these environmental factors are well known, but here is some practical information you may not be aware of.

• Sustainable timber helps beat climate change. According to the IPCC, “a sustainable forest management strategy aimed at maintaining or increasing forest carbon stocks, while producing an annual sustained yield of timber, fibre or energy from the forest, will generate the largest sustained mitigation benefit”. Source.
• All Australian natural forests, managed for timber production, are regrown by law. Australia’s forest industry therefore is not deforestation by definition. Rather – they encourage regrowth in perpetuity.
• The forest and wood products industry in Australia has one of the best circular economies available. Source.
• United Nations define sustainability as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Source.
• The Australian Government is committed to increasing the use of wood in the built environment by 2030. Australia joined 16 other countries, under the auspices of the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership Coalition on Greening Construction with Sustainable Wood, at COP28 in November 2023. Source. They stated: “Recognizing that wood from sustainably managed forests provides climate solutions within the construction sector, we commit to, by 2030, advancing policies and approaches that support low carbon construction and increase the use of wood from sustainably managed forests in the built environment. Such policies and approaches will result in reduced GHG emissions, and an increase in stored carbon.”
• Swapping concrete and steel for timber in construction (whether large or small buildings) will greatly reduce carbon emissions caused by the building industry. Source. Construction material pyramid. 
• When constructing a window, choosing timber instead of aluminium creates a lower ‘U’ value which translates into a more energy efficient and comfortable home. In fact, the humble single glazed timber window naturally performs better than an aluminium window of the same kind. It takes the incorporation of an expensive ‘thermal break’ to create a similar U-Value in an aluminium window. 
• A hardwood timber window with a protective coating will have the greatest life cycle assessment of any type of window. Refer to this comparative life cycle assessment of window systems. This information translates to other building materials too – such as wall claddings, stairs, floors and structural components.
• Hardwood has a great Life Cycle Analysis which results in one of the best Environmental Product Declarations possible. Use this to obtain more Green Star credits.
• Wood is ‘better than carbon neutral’ because of stored carbon during photosynthesis. A working hardwood forest is better for the climate than the alternative Carbon Stocks and Flows in Native Hardwood
• Timber is a carbon-storing building material. Source.
• Timber is good for our mental health and well-being. Source.
• The by-products of sustainable timber can be used as carbon neutral energy alternatives to fossil fuels. Source.
• Sustainable timber can have a positive impact on Green Star ratings. Source.
• “Australian developers and builders do not have to choose between saving money and protecting the environment. Instead, they can take advantage of the latest in sustainable material and design innovations [MASSLAM] that will reduce emissions without incurring higher costs. Its a win for the environment and the building sector”. Source.
• Ash is proudly third-party audited for Australian Forest Standard (AFS), the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC), the Environmental Management System ISO14001. Source. You can view ASH’s Environmental Policy here.
• In Australia, six out of 10,000 trees are harvested each year. Source

Sustainability

AUSTRALIAN OAK

On a holistic level, our Australian Oak is one of the best hardwood options once you include carbon sequestration, life cycle analysis, harvesting and regeneration. Here are some of the facts.

• 100% of harvested timber is regrown.
• Before harvesting, all flora, fauna, silvicultural, historical and cultural aspects are surveyed, plotted and allowed for.
• The harvesting process is scientifically designed to mimic natural growth pattern of Australia Oak species to ensure regeneration occurs within an organic cycle.
• Less than 0.05% of the forest area is harvested each year on an 80 year rotation. (Yes, that decimal point is in the right place). It is then regenerated.
• 100% of each log we receive is used. E.g. Off-cuts are finger jointed to make structural timber and sawdust is used as a green energy solution to power our kilns. Source.
• Up to 50% of the weight of kiln dried Australian Oak is stored carbon (320kg per cubic metre approximately). This is far more helpful for life-cycle assessment and embodied energy considerations than other building materials or soft woods. Source.

Sustainability

GLACIAL Oak

Glacial Oak (American Oak) answers our absolute commitment to sustainable harvesting – oak forests are increasing by 39.9 million m3 ever year.

• It takes 0.57 seconds to grow 1m3 of American red oak. 
• Between 1953 and 2012 the volume of U.S. hardwood growing stock increased from 5.2 billion m3 to 12.0 billion m3, a gain of over 130%. Source.
• Between 2007 and 2012, the volume of hardwood standing in the U.S. increased at a rate of 124 million m3 a year (even after harvesting and natural mortality is taken into account) – that’s about 4 m3 every second. Source.
• 1069kg per cubic metre of American Oak is stored carbon. This is far more helpful for life-cycle assessment and embodied energy considerations than other building materials or soft woods. Source.
• The total area of hardwood and mixed hardwood-softwood forest types in the U.S. increased from 99 million hectares in 1953 to 111 million hectares in 2012.This area increased consistently throughout the 60 year period and continued at a rate of 401,000 hectares per year between 2007 and 2012 – that’s equivalent to adding an area the size of a soccer pitch every minute. Source.
• Owners of U.S. hardwood forests usually grow their forests on longer rotations and typically selectively harvest a few trees per hectare. Source.
• American hardwoods are legal, sustainable and have low environmental impact. Source.