A cask’s lifespan is optimised within the spirits industry before 100% of its components are recycled.

Sustainability

We are deeply respectful of the natural resources at the heart of our craft. Sustainability is embedded in our core activities and business model—from cask rejuvenation to responsible sourcing. Every part of a cask is repurposed; high-quality heads, staves and hoops are incorporated into new production cycles, whilst non-compliant components and offcuts are recycled.

Our sustainability pledge reflects our commitment to continuous improvement and empowering our team to take meaningful action. With measures already in place, we’re actively working towards a more sustainable future for our industry, our customers and our planet.

We pledge to…

  • Champion our heritage

    Oakwood is actively committed to keeping the ancient art of coopering alive for the benefit of future generations, putting great emphasis on teaching and mentoring.

  • Protect our resources

    Oakwood cares about the origin of its wood, sources wood from sustainably managed forests and is careful to reuse materials and prolong the life of its products.

  • Minimise our footprint

    Oakwood works in balance with nature and in partnership with the Charlois Group to minimise the impact of its activities on the environment.

We turn waste into renewable energy…

Off-cuts and scrap wood from our cooperage operations are repurposed into biomass—a clean, sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. This closed-loop system reduces waste, lowers our carbon footprint, and supports our zero-waste philosophy. By using our own by-products to generate heat and energy, we’re not only powering our processes more sustainably but also contributing to a greener future for the whisky and wood industries.

We repurpose casks into eco-friendly products…

  • Home & Garden

    Our handcrafted home and garden furniture is made from authentic oak casks—blending charm with durability. From premium planters and water butts to dog beds and cold plunges, our items are designed to give new life to reclaimed wood while adding character to your home or garden.

  • Firewood

    We offer firewood, briquettes, and kindling. Our oak whisky staves are halved and dried for a long, aromatic burn. Our hardwood and softwood briquettes are made from compressed, dried wood chips and shavings for an eco-friendly source of heat for stoves, burners and open fires.

Partnerships & initiatives

A circular logo with a dark green background and a lighter green oak leaf in the center. The text "WHITE OAK INITIATIVE" is written in white uppercase letters around the oak leaf.
Logo of ONF International featuring a globe with continents in green and white, and the organization's name on a green banner.
Logo of the Forestry Commission featuring a tree and stylized text.

  • An oak tree acts as a carbon sponge. Over 150 years, every 1 m³ of oak locks away 1.29 T of CO₂, turning our forests into long‑term carbon vaults.

Did you know?

  • In the USA, according to industry estimates, the bourbon sector consumes circa 10% of all white oak harvested annually in the United States.

  • Reusing 300,000 casks saves around 2,100 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent—that’s like driving 11 million kilometres by car.

  • The average age of an oak tree destined for cooperage is 80-90 years for American oak and 150-180 years for French oak.

  • In France, Oak trees suitable for staves represent only 1% of the total volume of wood harvested annually, across all species.

  • American white oak (a foundational tree species) occupies over 104 million acres of public and private forestland across the eastern and central United States.

  • The cooperage industry is the primary market for oak, accounting for 40% of the French National Forest Office’s (ONF) revenue.