The Dorset Charcoal Company has always been dedicated to producing high-quality charcoal. But in recent years, we’ve focused even more on how our product can contribute to combating the climate crisis.
Since our founding in 1996, we’ve produced over 800,000Kg of charcoal. However, it’s not just the charcoal itself that matters - it’s how we use it to help capture and store carbon from the atmosphere for the long term.
Carbon Capture in Action: 12,892Kg of CO₂ Sequestered in 2024
In 2024 alone, we’ve successfully sequestered 12,892Kg of CO₂ - carbon that would have otherwise been released into the atmosphere. Instead, this carbon is now locked away within the charcoal we produced, much of which is being used in applications such as horticultural biochar, cosmetics, construction materials, and animal feed.
What’s particularly important is that this charcoal has not been burned - which would have released CO₂ back into the atmosphere. Instead, it remains sequestered in these products, actively contributing to reducing the overall carbon footprint.
Biochar and Charcoal in Sustainable Practices
One of the most effective forms of carbon sequestration is biochar, a type of charcoal used in soil management to enhance fertility, improve water retention, and promote healthier plant growth. But biochar’s impact goes beyond agriculture. For every ton of charcoal produced, an average of 3.6 tons of CO₂ is removed from the atmosphere.
When used as biochar in the soil, the carbon it contains remains locked away for centuries, sometimes even millennia, preventing it from being released back into the air. This makes biochar a powerful tool in the fight against global warming, offering long-term carbon storage far beyond the life cycle of traditional charcoal used for grilling.
Charcoal also plays a role in animal feed, where it aids digestion and helps detoxify the digestive system by binding to harmful substances like mycotoxins. This reduces the need for chemical additives and promotes more sustainable, natural farming practices. Whether it’s supporting healthy soils or improving livestock welfare, charcoal is helping sequester carbon across multiple sectors.
Sustainable Charcoal Production
The Dorset Charcoal Company has been producing charcoal for more than 28 years. While a large portion of our product has historically been used for barbecues, the last decade has seen a significant shift in our focus. We now prioritise the use of charcoal in industries that help sequester carbon, rather than release it back into the atmosphere.
Today, we remove over 12 tonnes of CO₂ from the carbon cycle each year through the production of sustainable charcoal. This carbon will remain safely stored for hundreds, even thousands, of years. Every year, we’re making a measurable difference in reducing atmospheric CO₂ levels, and we’re proud to offer a UK-based, sustainable alternative to imported charcoal, which often comes with a much higher environmental impact.
By turning waste wood into charcoal, and turning charcoal from a source of carbon emissions into a tool for carbon capture, we’re not just producing a product, we’re helping create a more sustainable future.
Landscapers, Construction Firms, and Sustainable Projects
An increasing number of landscapers and construction firms across the UK, from Kent to London to Bristol, are turning to our biochar for projects ranging from new housing developments to garden landscaping.
In fact, adding just one tonne of biochar to the ground can reduce the carbon footprint of new developments by 3.6 tonnes of CO₂. At the same time, it helps to enhance the success and vigour of planting, providing long-term benefits for local ecosystems.
Charcoal can also be incorporated into construction materials like concrete. Studies show that replacing a small amount of traditional material with charcoal can increase the strength of concrete - improving compressive, tensile, and flexural properties. Additionally, the charcoal’s porous nature helps reduce shrinkage and speeds up the curing process, making it a valuable addition to sustainable building practices.
A Sustainable Future, One Ton at a Time
1 tonne of Biochar is equal to around 3.6 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide!
As we continue our journey toward greater sustainability, the Dorset Charcoal Company is proud of the impact we’re making in carbon capture and storage. In 2024 alone, we’ve sequestered 12,892Kg of CO₂, but we know this is just the beginning.
With growing demand for sustainable charcoal in agriculture, construction, and other industries, we’re optimistic about the future. By choosing products like biochar, businesses and individuals can make a real difference in reducing their carbon footprints. Together, we can continue to lock away carbon and build a more sustainable world, one ton of charcoal at a time.
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