The Role of Pallets in Promoting Circular Economy

What is a circular economy?

A circular economy is defined as a system where materials can potentially never become waste and nature is regenerated. The goal is to minimize waste and create a production process that is not as environmentally harmful as previous practices may have been. The traditional model, a linear economic model, focused on taking material to create products but they threw away materials instead of using to exhaustion. Focusing on recycling material and maximizing their use has the potential to help reduce biodiversity loss and curve greenhouse gas emissions. Pallets are the perfect example of circular economy thinking, especially those from wood.

The Circular Role of Pallets

Pallets are a great example of the circular economy because most times they are being reused and recycled. Companies avoid sending pallets to landfills at rates around 90% with pallet recycling companies. These companies then offer remanufactured pallets or repurpose them into other materials like mulch. Closed loop production systems are ideal pallet users (in terms of the circular economy) because a singular pallet can be used many times before it is considered unusable. Plastic pallets specifically can last up to 15 years at times in select supply chains with no/minimal repairs. Allowing pallets to be used for their entire lifespan then recovering and recycling the, can help meet a companies goals. Recyclability, reducing carbon emissions and helping reduce biodiversity are not the only positives companies may see. All of these efforts can directly cause production cost reductions. These are all drivers of this new circular economy model.

To build your production operations with all of this in mind, reach out to us for a quote. We offer everything from recycling, to shipping crates, and more!