Used Pallets - introducing the New start pallet
To address the ongoing problems with timber shortages and rising timber prices, whilst supporting their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Whirlowdale has invested in a dedicated facility, at HMP Sudbury, to strip all the pallet components from scrap or waste pallets – the blocks, bearers, nails etc and recycle these to create a "new quality" UK standard pallet – 1000x1200mm perimeter based, 3 legger or convert pallet.
Manufacture of pallets from recovered timber
HMP Sudbury was originally built as a hospital for the US Air Force for the D-Day landings and converted to a prison in 1948. The Regime includes full-time and part-time education and evening classes, workshops, training courses (bricklaying, painting & decorating and industrial cleaning), farms and gardens, kitchen and a maintenance department.
Whirlowdale commenced production in HMP Sudbury in December 2010, primarily with the aim of utilising our scrap pallets (that would normally go away for chipping) to enable us to recover timber to carry out repairs at our depots – hence reducing the amount of virgin timber purchased.
The project proved to be so successful that the establishment was producing far more material than was required by the Whirlowdale depots, so it was decided to commence production of “New Start” pallets – effectively using recovered timber to manufacture pallets, and the workshop is now producing in excess of 1,500 pallets per week.
This partnership forms a cornerstone of Whirlowdale’s commitment to CSR, which can be defined as how companies address the social, environmental and economic impacts of their operations, and so helps to meet our sustainable development goals.
The long term plan is to help Sudbury in their ‘rehabilitation’ of prisoners (CSR), with a view to Whirlowdale potentially employing ex-prisoners in the future.
These pallets are making their way into circulation and will help to replenish the UK’s stock of used wooden standard pallets.
Most of the pallet's component parts can be salvaged and re-used, and any timber that is too badly damaged will be skipped or chipped for an alternative use, so very little is wasted.
For more information or to order used pallets, please contact Whirlowdale.
