Collection of Research Regarding the Sustainability of Wooden Pallets
Wooden pallets are one of the most sustainable forms of packaging available in the market. This claim is backed by numerous research papers and studies ranging from ones published by reputable industry associations to prestigious universities.
Also Read: What is a Pallet Broker and what do they do?
The reason for the green nature of the wooden pallet is the product’s recycling rate, durability, and multiple end-of-life recycling streams. For example, a wooden pallet can be used many times before requiring any repair. Once a repair is needed, a small companion stringer (link to companion stringer blog post) or staples can be enough to return the pallet to “like-new” durability and performance (show Kamps repair methods video). Once a pallet has been repaired multiple times and is no longer in the capacity to be restored to usable condition, it can still serve a valuable purpose as the source material for wooden fuel pellets, mulch, animal bedding, and other sustainable byproducts.
Below is a collection of research and studies highlighting the sustainable nature of wooden pallets. We have organized our group by the date the research was published. This collection will be regularly updated and maintained.
Report: The Life-Cycle Analysis of Wooden Packaging
Source: The Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spanish Federation of Wooden Packaging and Components (FEDEMCO)
Year Released: 2023
Summary: The findings of this report concluded that wood is the most sustainable packaging option for fruit and vegetables. The report states that wood has a lower environmental impact across all areas, especially regarding greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, ecotoxicity, and food safety.
Link to report highlights on Eurofruit: https://www.fruitnet.com/eurofruit/new-study-endorses-wood-as-the-most-sustainable-packaging-for-fandv/256847.article
Link to direct press release from FEDEMCO (Spanish): https://fedemco.com/2023/10/31/el-envase-de-madera-avalado-como-el-mas-sostenible/
Research: Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for Wood Pallets manufactured in the U.S.
Source: National Wooden Pallet and Container Association (NWPCA), The Pallet Foundation, U.S. Forest Product Lab.
Year Released: 2020
Summary: The UL-certified EPD released in 2020 features a complete life-cycle assessment of a wooden pallet. A life-cycle check showcases the environmental impact of a product through each stage of its life cycle – cradle to grave.
The findings of the EPD conclude that with proper disposal and recycling practices, wooden pallets can be considered carbon-neutral products. It also proves that repairing (reconditioning) a pallet or using harvested wood materials from tear-down pallets (remanufacturing) to build pallets is far more environmentally friendly than manufacturing a brand-new pallet.
The EPD can serve as a valuable tool in comparing your pallet operations to the industry benchmarks and using the research as the source for your own environmental impact calculations.
