Call to ‘specify pallets with reuse in mind’

THE ORGANISATION, which represents the UK pallet repair and reconditioning industry, says the availability of lower specification pallets has declined as they are 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.

NAPD chairman Paul Tait said: “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. 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.”

Forthcoming sustainability legislation, including the Sustainability Disclosure Standards (SDS) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the UK, and CSRD in Europe, mean reuse is becoming an obligation for business.