Colchester-based G&C Softwoods Ltd has become more environmentally friendly with the acquisition of a Weima WL 6S 30 shredding machine from Fercell Engineering.

The company had been disposing of the offcuts from around 2,000 doors a week by burning them.

Now the offcuts are shredded and used as bedding for chickens and other farm animals and pets.

G&C said that cost savings on the disposal of the waste alone have been such that it estimates the equipment will pay for itself in just 14 months.