This is a guest article written by Caroline Morris, Sales Director at Rectella.
Rectella is a Lancashire-based, employee-owned (EOT) UK business specialising in responsibly sourced charcoal products. Rectella were first to market with FSC-certified charcoal in the UK and this year, celebrate 25 years of FSC certification (FSC®C015372). Rectella has built a reputation for innovation, reliability, and leadership in sustainable sourcing, supplying both branded and own label products to major UK retailers.
The business operates with a clear purpose: to create exceptional experiences for people and planet. This purpose-led approach has shaped its strategy, product development, and supply chain decisions, helping Rectella become a market leader in sustainable barbecue fuels.
Improving sustainability and reducing environmental impact
Sustainability is embedded into how Rectella operates. The business has consistently focused on responsible sourcing, long-term supplier relationships, and actions that deliver real environmental and social benefits, expected by major retail customers.
Rectella sources FSC certified charcoal from both Europe and Africa, ensuring strong chain-of-custody controls and responsible forest management across diverse regions. In Africa, particularly Namibia, Rectella’s supply chain supports 1,000 families, equating to around 10,000 individuals.
The charcoal from this part of the world is a waste stream from invasive blackthorn acacia bushes, a species that requires constant management to protect local ecosystems. Rather than cutting down trees, Rectella turns this excess biomass into sustainable charcoal. This approach reflects a broader commitment not only to environmental stewardship, but also to social responsibility and economic sustainability within local communities.
In Europe, Rectella sources FSC-certified materials from coppiced wood, a renewable resource harvested in a way that encourages regrowth and long-term woodland health.
FSC-certified products and market innovation
The business was the first to market with FSC-certified charcoal in the UK, helping to set a new benchmark for sustainability within the barbecue category.
In addition, Rectella is the world’s only supplier of Fairly Traded charcoal. This dual certification reflects the company’s belief that sustainability must address both environmental protection and social impact.
Motivation for FSC certification
Rectella became FSC-certified over 25 years ago because responsible forestry aligned naturally with the company’s values and long-term outlook. As a business dependent on timber-based products, protecting forest resources is essential to ensuring future supply, supporting communities, and maintaining trust with customers.
Caroline Morris, Sales Director for Rectella states “We were early adopters of FSC and are incredibly proud of what the business has achieved over the past 40 years. FSC gives us confidence that our materials are sourced responsibly and that our forests are protected for future generations. Maintaining certification for 25 years reflects our belief in doing things properly for people and the planet”
For Rectella, FSC certification is more than a label on a product. It helps the business make responsible choices. Being employee-owned means long-term thinking is part of the company’s culture, ensuring sustainability is a priority for both the team and the customers it serves.
Find out more about Rectella: https://barbequick.com/grillguide/