In the second installment in this blog series, exploring grassroots biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More production, I reflect on the importance of context in producing biochar. Geographical positioning, access to feedstockFeedstock refers to the raw organic material used to produce biochar. This can include a wide range of materials, such as wood chips, agricultural residues, and animal manure. More, and local climate are all poignant factors that are often overlooked when people consider biochar at the macro-level. While research and big-picture thinking are essential to understanding biochar’s potential, they often operate at a scale that overlooks the nuances of local application. Without attention to context – who is making the biochar, with what materials, and under what conditions – even well-intentioned efforts can miss their mark in terms of impact and relevance. I have encountered many obstacles during my journey with biochar, and a large share of them could have been avoided or optimized better, had I reflected more on my own contextual circumstances. 

My fascination with biochar began at a similar time to my exploration of circular economics, the two becoming incredibly intertwined within my own mind. I say this because I believe biochar is a prime candidate for the doctrine of ‘cascading use’, referring to the practice of using materials in a hierarchy that preserves their highest value for as long as possible – starting with high-grade applications. BiomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More, particularly waste biomass, should be repurposed wherever possible and either kept at that value, or, in the case of biochar, it can be enhanced through pyrolysisPyrolysis is a thermochemical process that converts waste biomass into bio-char, bio-oil, and pyro-gas. It offers significant advantages in waste valorization, turning low-value materials into economically valuable resources. Its versatility allows for tailored products based on operational conditions, presenting itself as a cost-effective and efficient More to improve soils and stabilize carbon.

So there I was, standing in the woods watching a brash pile burn (responsibly), whilst coppicing a Sweet Chestnut plantation in the South East of England – something we ought to be doing a great deal more with our overstocked woodlands! As the brash was reduced to ashes, I was left dissatisfied. We must be able to do more with this material. It’s not retaining its value in the way that circular economics encourages.

This emboldened my intellectual biochar journey, but also came to found the basis of my practical biochar endeavours as this became a feedstock source to me. Whilst we are out of coppicing season in the UK, I still have access to brash and wood that has been cut down due to disease (particularly ashAsh is the non-combustible inorganic residue that remains after organic matter, like wood or biomass, is completely burned. It consists mainly of minerals and is different from biochar, which is produced through incomplete combustion.   Ash Ash is the residue that remains after the complete More dieback and phytophthora). This access is unique, but it is also accessible through conversations with local woodland estates and arborists. A unique position I leverage is my brother’s gardening company that produces organic waste on a smaller scale. This waste is trickier, as sizes are more irregular and the feedstock is varied. However, for my specific biochar needs, it is ideal as I can assess feedstock suitability and characteristics with more breadth. 

In other words, when considering biochar production and application, it is essential to consider your positioning.

• Who do you know that may have waste biomass that was going to be discarded? Is that disposal option inferior to pyrolysis? Remember that biochar is not always the most optimal answer for waste management, and we do not want to reduce its value prematurely.
• What feedstock do you have access to? Is it suitable for your needs, and is it in a manageable condition? I have taken tonnes of waste that is too wet, too large or too sappy for pyrolysis, and this presents a new set of obstacles.

There are also some very practical considerations when starting out with biochar. First, you need a safe, suitable test site. I’ve been fortunate – a local landowner allows me to experiment at the end of a small land plot, and in return, I advise on and support the management of the landscape. It’s a reminder that you don’t need to own land to get started; collaboration and skill-sharing can go a long way. Even in rural areas, nearby properties must be taken into account and weather, unsurprisingly, plays a major role. 

Wind can carry smoke far beyond your burn site, even with a double-barrel system that reduces emissions. I check forecasts for low wind days and use a spot with natural windbreaks like trees – without risking fire. And of course, there’s rain – a frustratingly everpresent factor in the UK. Wet feedstock is challenging to work with, so dry storage and optimal burn timing are crucial. Production is just the start. You also need to consider how you’ll use or distribute your char. Will it be sold raw, or as part of a compost or manure mix? In either case, storage space and basic equipment can make a big difference.

Remember that biochar can require 4–12 weeks for nutrient charging in compost or manure. Of course, you may wish to sidestep this by selling the char independent of the soil material, but this option will have its own commercial limitations to consider.

In the end, making biochar is showing me that sustainability isn’t just about what you produce – it’s about paying attention to what’s around you, using what you’ve actually got, and figuring it out as you go. When you work with the quirks of your own place – its weather, its materials, its people –  you start to build something that fits, not just something that works on paper. It’s these logistical steps that we often fail to consider when starting out, and, as with everything new, you are, of course, better off starting and failing than not starting at all.