Where do we source our charcoal from?

There are multiple aspects that we consider when sourcing our charcoal; sustainable forestry, quality control and recycling are all among our key values.

Namibia

Here at Direct Charcoal the vast majority of our charcoal is manufactured by the indigenous workforce in Namibia. The producers are licensed by the Namibian government to cut down the native “encroaching bush” which covers the Namibian savannas.

This encroaching bush causes vast economic and ecological problems if it is not removed as it destroys the nomadic farmlands and seriously inhibits the movement of the wide array of African wildlife found within Namibia.

Encroaching Bushland

The term “encroaching bushland” is a phrase used to group the variety of different species of trees and bush within Namibia, all of which are listed below:

• Acacia erubescens (Blue Thorn)
• Acacia mellifera (Black Thorn)
• Colophospermum mopane (Mopane)
• Terminilia prunioides (Lowveld Cluster-leaf)
• Terminalia sericea (Silver Cluster-leaf)
• Dichrostachys cineria (Sickle bush)
• Rhigozum trichotomum (Three Thorn)
• Casuarina cunninghamiana (Casuarina)

The Production Process

1. The Namibian bushman first selects and cuts down segments of the encroaching bush.
2. The timber is then loaded into traditional and portable charcoal kilns.
3. A controlled fire is then lit within the kilns by the skilled bushman.
4. Once the charcoal burn has taken place the ungraded product is allowed to cool and then bagged into bulk sacks for transportation to our production facility in South Africa.
5. Within our South African plant the product is then initially screened, with any substandard product being removed.
6. The product is then screened into the relevant grade and sizes and packed into bags, with the product being quality inspected along the entire process.
7. Each bag is weighed meticulously by hand to ensure our products are an accurate weight and check weights are recorded in compliance with UK weights and measures guidelines.
8. The product is then shipped into the United Kingdom and our UK production and distribution plant ready for you to purchase.

Shop our whole range of BBQ Charcoal Here – BBQ Charcoal

Shop our whole range of Restaurant Charcoal Here – Restaurant Charcoal

FSC

All the charcoal we buy is 100% FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified meaning our product is made from 100% sustainable materials. FSC is the most trusted mark in the world sustainable forestry. Our products are made in a sustainable manner and the FSC 100% label certifies this.

Sustainability

One of the core values of Direct Charcoal is sustainability, with our packaging being fully recyclable and made from a minimum of 30% recycled materials, this also aligns our values with the expectations of the UK’s recycling regulations.

Quality Control

We also keep up with and adhere to the ISO 9001:2015 accreditation, which ensures we maintain our customers individual quality demands and we provide good quality products, whenever our customers need them.