The charcoal industry fuels the flames of countless grills and stoves, but behind the smoke lies a hidden reality: not all charcoal is created equally. In some parts of the world, its production comes at an unbearable human and environmental cost: children forced to labour in hazardous conditions, rainforests being decimated, and harmful toxins released into the air and our homes.
The vast majority of charcoal sold in the UK is sourced from South America and Africa (1), regions where these harmful practices are rampant. Unfortunately, some companies in the UK compromise on sustainability and humanity for the sake of lower costs. At Globaltic, we’ve chosen to source our charcoal from Ukraine—and for good reason. Here's why.
Labour Practices
Group portrait of Paraguayan charcoal makers
Child Labour in South America and Africa Imagine a child, no older than eight, carrying heavy logs in the sweltering heat. According to UNICEF (2), child labour remains a widespread issue in many parts of South America and Africa, particularly in informal industries like charcoal production.
These children endure hazardous conditions, with no access to education or healthcare. Their hands are raw from handling wood, and they breathe in toxic fumes from poorly ventilated kilns. The charcoal industry in these regions exploits vulnerable populations, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality (3).
Paraguay is the largest exporter if charcoal into the UK and such practices are present there (4). Weak labour laws allow this exploitation to persist, with devastating consequences for these children’s health and futures.
Ethical Labour Practices in Ukraine
In Ukraine, there are no children labouring in smoky pits. Workers are protected by strict labour laws, ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions, especially with the country hoping to enter the EU . Picture a well-organised facility where adults work with dignity, supported by proper equipment and oversight. Every piece of charcoal produced in Ukraine is the result of ethical practices, giving you peace of mind that no one was exploited in its creation.
Deforestation
Deforestation of Rainforests in South America and Africa The Amazon rainforest, often called the lungs of the planet, loses millions of hectares every year to industries like charcoal production. It is estimated that up to 17% of the Amazon’s deforestation is directly tied to unsustainable practices, including logging for charcoal kilns (5). In Africa, regions like the Congo Basin face similar threats, with illegal logging operations depleting biodiversity and destabilising ecosystems (6). These forests, critical for regulating the Earth’s climate, are being destroyed at an alarming rate.
Sustainable Wood Sourcing in Ukraine In contrast, Ukrainian charcoal production relies on sustainably managed forests. Reports from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) (7), confirm that birch, oak, and hornbeam trees are harvested responsibly, with replanting policies in place to ensure long-term ecological balance. This approach preserves biodiversity while providing a renewable source of high-quality wood. Picture a forest where for every tree felled, saplings are planted, maintaining a cycle of regeneration. Ukrainian producers prioritise sustainability, ensuring a greener future. You can read more about our sustainability policy at Globaltic here.
Production Technology
Primitive Technology and Wasteful Production in South America and Africa Traditional charcoal production in South America and Africa uses earth-mound kilns, a method dating back centuries. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (8), these kilns waste up to 60% of the wood’s energy, requiring 12-15 tonnes of wood to produce just one tonne of charcoal. Thick black smoke billows from these kilns, releasing carbon monoxide and other harmful pollutants into the air, endangering both workers and nearby communities. These outdated practices are inefficient, environmentally damaging, and contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
Production and packaging facility in Ukraine
Modern Technology in Ukraine Ukraine’s charcoal production embraces innovation. Advanced retort kilns, recommended by the European Union’s Best Available Techniques (BAT) guidelines (8), are widely used. These kilns are up to 40% more efficient, requiring only 7 tonnes of wood to produce one tonne of charcoal. Additionally, they significantly reduce emissions by capturing and reusing gases. Picture a clean, modern facility where waste is minimised, and efficiency is maximised. Ukraine sets a new standard for environmentally conscious production.
Drug Trafficking
Beyond environmental and ethical issues, charcoal from South America has been implicated in criminal activities. Investigations by organisations like INTERPOL (9), uncover multiple cases of drug trafficking concealed within shipments of charcoal every year (10) (11) (12). These illicit operations exploit the informal nature of the charcoal trade, raising serious questions about the integrity of these supply chains. While cheap prices might seem appealing, they could mask darker motives. Choosing reliable, transparent suppliers eliminates these risks.
Wood Species
Unknown Wood Species and Health Risks in South America and Africa Charcoal from South America and Africa often contains wood of unknown origin. Studies by the World Health Organization (WHO) (13), suggest that burning unidentified or chemically treated wood can release carcinogens and other toxins into the air. This creates serious health risks for consumers, particularly when used for cooking. Imagine grilling food over charcoal that emits harmful substances—a hidden danger in every barbecue (14).
Clear Wood Origin in Ukraine Ukrainian charcoal offers complete transparency. Each bag is made from clearly identified wood species like birch, oak, hornbeam or beech, known for their clean burn and excellent performance. At Globaltic, we only offer single species charcoal to ensure full transparency, all of our charcoal is free from additives or chemical treatments, ensuring a safe product for your home. Picture a barbecue with consistent, high-quality charcoal that you can trust—a simple choice for peace of mind.
A Choice That Matters
When you choose charcoal, you're not just choosing a product—you’re choosing a supply chain. At Globaltic, we’ve made a conscious decision to source from Ukraine because we believe in sustainability, ethical production, and exceptional quality. By supporting Ukrainian producers, we’re taking a stand against the horrors of child labour, deforestation, wasteful practices, and even criminal activities like drug trafficking. The question is: can other suppliers say the same?
References
1) https://wits.worldbank.org/trade/comtrade/en/country/GBR/year/2023/tradeflow/Imports/partner/ALL/product/440200
2) https://www.refworld.org/reference/annualreport/usdol/2017/en/119009
3) https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/brazil-in-2021-about-40-more-workers-were-rescued-from-forced-labour-conditions-in-charcoal-production-sites-than-in-2020/
4) https://www.refworld.org/reference/annualreport/usdol/2017/en/119009
5) https://theconversation.com/south-americas-second-largest-forest-is-also-burning-and-environmentally-friendly-charcoal-is-subsidizing-its-destruction-123678
6) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0973082612000476#:~:text=The%20most%20commonly%20cited%20impact%20of%20charcoal%20production%20is%20deforestation,in%20Africa%20and%20South%20America
7) https://fsc.org/sites/default/files/2020-06/Ukraine%20Earthsight%20Final_1.pdf
8) https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2023-07/EN_Rebuilding%20Ukraine%20with%20a%20Resilient%20Carbon-Neutral%20Energy%20System_V8.pdf
9) https://www.interpol.int/en/Crimes/Environmental-crime/Forestry-crime
10) https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/15/europe/ireland-cocaine-charcoal-seizure-scli-intl/index.html
11) https://metro.co.uk/2015/12/12/cocaine-worth-240m-disguised-as-wood-and-charcoal-5561108/amp/
12) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-65930002
13) https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/339157?locale-attribute=en&
14) https://www.earthsight.org.uk/news/investigations/choice-cuts-paraguay-2017-bricopar-supermarkets
