Abingdon-based Oxford Wood Recycling is one of the four finalists in the Bluestream Recruitment Award for Social Responsibility at the new 2018 Vale 4 Business Awards.
The finalists were announced last month at the Abingdon’s Crown & Thistle after the businesses exhibited outstanding commitment to fulfilling a social mission.
The assessment was based on on various factors including the businesses’ impact on local community, commitment of staff, corporate social responsibility to drive change, reported the Oxfordshire Guardian.
Established in 2005, the recycling firm is formed by a group of workers and volunteers, who are committed to address societal challenges and introduce economically sustainable services.
CEO Richard Snow said: “While we work very hard to run a successful business that employs people, we’re very much working to our social and environmental missions.
“We work in the recycling sector, but we reuse a significant amount of wood each year; this is wood that people have effectively thrown away, but we bring it back onto the market for use for DIY.
“If you put wood in a skip it never gets re-used. It might get recycled but it won’t get re-used.”
Richard emphasised that contending with other organisations for the award would be a proud moment for those who deserve appreciation for the efforts they invest year-on-year. Other organisations include White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre; food education social enterprise Maymessy CIC; and craft brewery Tap Social.
“It shows that social enterprise is quite strong in the county and district which is nice for us because we’re a proud social enterprise.
“We’ve never been recognised locally for an award, so it would be really good to get it.
“It will hopefully let our friends and customers know that we’re moving in the right direction,” he added.