Recycling Plastic Pallets Helps Earth Day Initiative to End Plastic Pollution

Because of its eco-friendly packaging solutions, the pallet industry has always been an ardent supporter of Earth Day, which occurs annually on April 22.  The Earth Day Network uses this day to kick off a new, year-long campaign to protect communities and develop solutions for climate change and sustainability issues.

This year, the primary initiative is to end plastic pollution through bans on single-use plastic and increased awareness and practice of plastic recycling. That’s because 300 million tons of fossil fuel based plastic are sold each year and 90% of that is thrown away. This resulting plastic pollution destroys our food supply, water, and our health.

Thankfully, the pallet industry is doing its part to reduce plastic pollution. While it’s well known that wooden pallets can be repaired, re-used, and recycled, the plastic variety are also widely re-used (the average plastic pallet’s life ranges from 50 to 500 trips compared with 10 to 50 trips for a wooden pallet) and plastic pallets can be recycled into new plastic products at the end of their service life. The demand for used or recycled plastic pallets has risen over the last 10 years, but there is certainly room for improvement. Buying recycled products, including recycled plastic pallets, is a responsible choice that will help end plastic pollution.

What can you do?

Aside from buying recycled products and recycling your plastic pallets, use your voice to fight plastic pollution! Tell world leaders, national governments, and local legislators that YOU support global bans on single-use plastic to heal our planet. Sign the “End Plastic Pollution Petition.”

Report your unique idea for going green to help Earth Day organizers reach their goal of three billion acts. Some great ideas have been recorded from buying organic foods, quitting smoking, and planting trees to writing letters to the President about climate change. If you would like to comment, click to submit your idea.

You can also donate or spread the word to help support the Earth Day Network. Or, attend an event in your city.  In our backyard, for example, Earth Day Chicago showcases activities like the Parks and Preserves Clean-up. Residents demonstrate their hometown pride by tidying up beloved parks and forest preserves.  Additionally, our local Brookfield Zoo hosts a “Party for the Planet,” which features plantings, an eco expo, and a live music performance.

Wherever you live, we hope this Earth Day inspires you to get out and experience an activity or contribute in some way to the preservation of our planet. And, don’t forget, if you’re looking for an eco-friendly way to ship your product, contact Rose Pallet to discuss our pallet and packaging solutions.