FEATURE PALLETS & PACKAGING
Rethinking Pallet Usage A new sustainable supply chain solution is set to transform delivery of building materials and change the way that timber pallets are used and distributed.
T
he UK construction sector uses over 18 million timber
The Pallet LOOP is a joint venture between Paul and Ryan Lewis
pallets per annum yet re-uses less than 10%. In
(formerly HLC Wood Products) and Scott Group – one of the UK’s
the construction industry, the lack of pallet re-use
leading pallet producers. Centred around the principles of ‘recover,
generates upwards of 250,000 tonnes of waste and
repair and reuse’, The Pallet LOOP aims to eliminate avoidable pallet
means a huge amount of timber is used unnecessarily. To create
waste in the construction sector by incentivising pallet returns via a
construction industry pallets, an estimated 6,000 acres of forestry
cost-effective, easy-to-use, deposit-based system.
are harvested every year, with a further 236,000 acres grown to
Estimates suggest that up to 10% of the construction waste stream
cater for future demand. This is to feed a linear packaging model
is pallets, which is costly from both a financial and an environmental
that is outdated and needs to change as UK construction works to
perspective. Widespread adoption of The Pallet LOOP across the
achieve ambitious net zero targets.
construction sector will greatly reduce the burden that pallet production currently places on the environment and our forests –
Change is coming in the launch of The Pallet LOOP™ - the sector’s first ever circular economy, carbon net zero, pallet reuse scheme that
achieving approximately 40% less CO2 emissions and an estimated up
will enable the recovery, repair and re-use of millions of pallets across
to 75% reduction in timber usage.
the UK construction sector. Designed as a net carbon zero model, The How does The Pallet LOOP work?
Pallet LOOP will also support the industry in its bid to achieve zero
At the heart of The Pallet LOOP is a range of distinctive, green,
avoidable waste. Rather than being cost engineered, LOOP’s distinctive
100% FSC LOOP pallets, which are different by design. Manufactured
green pallets are designed and built for multiple trips.
with durability in mind, with an ISO14040 compliant LCA, LOOP pallets
Built with durability in mind, they are made from 100% FSC certified wood, have an ISO 14040 compliant LCA, and are, on average,100%
will be distributed to building materials manufacturers, which can use
stronger than standard pallets used in the construction
them to transport products to builders’ merchants and construction sites nationwide. Building material manufacturers will pay a deposit per pallet
Industry. Trials of The Pallet LOOP recovery service took place in October 2021 across the UK with several principal contractors
(along with a separate issue fee that the manufacturer absorbs in much
and is timetabled for operational roll out in 2022. Delivering a more
the same way they do today with a packaging charge) to The Pallet LOOP. As the pallets move through the supply chain, the deposit will pass
sustainable pallet distribution model, which is greener and leaner, the scheme is aligned with environmental targets set for the sector by UK
from manufacturer to merchant to end user. Once materials reach their
Government, and the growing desire and need for businesses to adopt
final destination, pallets can be stacked and stored ready for collection
circular economy practices that are more environmentally friendly.
by The Pallet LOOP, which has a dedicated recovery infrastructure
Timber Trader UK Magazine
Winter 2021-2022
12
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