Reconditioned Wooden Pallet Shortage – is recycling all pallet components the answer?
Both the UK & Europe have reported a vast decrease in the number of used wooden pallets that are available in the current market. It is reported by the NAPD (National Association of Pallet Distributors) that this shortage is mainly due to the ever increasing cost of timber, meaning that customers who previously had new pallets had to find an alternative in the used wooden pallet market. This higher demand for used pallets in Europe has led to stocks in the UK market diminishing.
A Solution to the Wooden Pallet Shortage
The NAPD have recommended that pallet users and suppliers alike recondition damaged wooden pallets where possible, rather than recycle them into wood fibre etc. The demand for wood as a source of fuel has increased dramatically over the past year, meaning that even wooden pallets that could be have easily been repaired were instead being sent elsewhere to be used as a fuel source. If a pallet is damaged beyond a straight forward repair, all parts can often be recycled into a “new” used or remanufactured pallet. Whirlowdale Trading Co. Ltd has a dedicated facility to strip all the pallet components – the blocks, bearers, even the nails! These pallet parts are then re-made into a UK standard pallet – 1000x1200mm perimeter based, 3 legger or convert pallet. These pallets then go back into circulation and will help to replenish the UK’s stock of used wooden standard pallets. Although not every component of the pallet will be re-useable, most parts can be salvaged. Any timber that is too badly damaged will be skipped or chipped for an alternative use.
Benefits of Using Remanufactured Wooden Pallets
The method of re-making used pallets is proving to be a cost effective method for both Whirlowdale and its customers. Last year, when the pallet market was particularly tight, many customers had no alternative but to buy new wooden pallets –meaning they had to pay a higher price. Now they have the option of the remanufactured wooden pallet, which not only keeps their costs down but also benefits the market as a whole.
For more information about remanufactured pallets please contact us.