Organisation wants users and manufacturers to push for higher specifications that will support increasing reuse
In the UK, the National Association of Pallet Distributors (NAPD) has called on manufacturers and users to work together to ensure new pallets are always specified with their reuse in mind.
The organisation, which represents the UK pallet repair and reconditioning industry, said the availability of lower specification pallets had declined as they were reused more often.
It wants users and manufacturers to push for higher specs that will support increasing reuse – which will decrease costs and increase the overall sustainability for supply chain businesses.
“Lower spec pallets, including class B and C, are currently going short as more of them are used multiple times and reaching the end of life and failing,” said NAPD chairman Paul Tait. “There is a clear need to increase reusability by boosting the lifespan of pallets, which we can do by manufacturing with the goal of reconditioning a repair from the start.
“Wooden pallets are a naturally sustainable product, and the more supply chains can reuse them, the better the environmental benefits – and the lower the costs.”
Saleh Hijazi, press officer for NAPD, said forthcoming sustainability legislation, including the Sustainability Disclosure Standards (SDS) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the UK, and CSRD in Europe, meant reuse was becoming an obligation for business.
“Reuse is already rising significantly,” he said, “and in the coming months, we are calling for specifiers to do more to ensure they maximise reuse opportunities for pallets and they can meet the growing demand of customers and other supply chain stakeholders. It will save them money, too.”
