USA Pallet + Warehousing, Inc
In 2016 alone, about 849 million wooden pallets were created, marking a 14% increase in the total number of wood pallets created from 2011, making up to 43% of all the hardwood lumber produced in the U.S and 15% of all the softwood lumber.
Out of the 849 million wood pallets, 341 million were recycled, but 508 million wood pallets were made from raw wood material. It is estimated today that there are billions of wood pallets in use annually.
The best thing is that there are some green credentials about these pallets, which make sure that they can be used in a reusable and recyclable way for the transportation of bulk items. These include efficient shipping of cargo, being used many times before they get to their end-of-life stage, and being 100% recyclable. But there are some factors like high material requirements, ineffective collection systems, and chemical/preservative treatment that affect their sustainability.
As the number of pallets increases annually, knowing the reasons why pallets need to be reused, how pallets can be recycled, and methods of wood waste recycling will prove useful. Read on to find out more.
The wooden pallet is among the most common items used in supply chains. It acts as a strong base that ensures goods are transported effectively. The wooden pallet is a durable, affordable, and commonly used item because of its durability. There are certain challenges associated with the failure by companies to dispose of such pallets effectively after their repeated use.
Whenever there is damage to pallets, companies end up disposing of them. This increases their contribution to landfills, and thus they play an important role in waste management processes. There are various benefits of wooden pallets, especially that they can be recycled, repaired, or reused.
Whether it is the new washing machine you got for your house or your business makes bulk purchases of the supplies it requires, there may be times when the pallets do not fit into the regular process of collection and delivery.
But the truth is that pallets are, on average, reused 5 to 10 times before they become useless, so make sure that they do not belong to the logistics chain first before planning their new purpose.
It is important to note that most of the recycling facilities do not have the ability to recycle and dispose of the pallets. In most cases, they would require that the pallets be taken to a specialized wood pallet recycling facility where they can be recycled using the appropriate equipment and techniques.
Nevertheless, even when your pallets have reached their end-of-life point, or they do not form part of the logistics chain, there are many advantages to recycling them at specialist facilities.
Recycling of wood pallets is a well-structured procedure that strives to obtain some economic benefit from pallets that have served their full useful life. Wood pallet recycling typically consists of the following procedures:
The initial phase of recycling wood pallets begins with collecting and segregating used or unwanted pallets. This may be done through various sources like warehouses, distribution centers, or even retail stores.
After collection, the pallets will be subjected to a detailed examination to ascertain their condition and viability for recycling. Good quality pallets can be refurbished and reused, whereas old and damaged pallets will be broken down and recycled.
The process of dismantling consists of dismantling the pallets, in which the pieces, such as planks and blocks, are separated. This stage is important for the further treatment of the wood.
These dismantled parts of the wood are further processed to manufacture different products. This could mean chipping, grinding, or milling the wood to manufacture raw material for the production of new pallets or any wood products.
The finished product can then be used for the creation of new pallets along with many other things, including furniture, floor boards, and even garden decorations.
Finally, the pallets or products that have been recycled are reused by being distributed for use in the completion of the recycling process and reduction of new material requirements.
Want to improve your pallet disposal process? Check out “7 Smart Pallet Recycling Tips for Better Waste Management” for useful recycling strategies.
Cost often plays a role in encouraging businesses to go green when it comes to business decisions. However, it is important to note that using recycled pallets is not only cost-effective, but there are several benefits associated with it.
Continuous acquisition of new pallets is expensive; however, using the old ones for repairs is cost-effective. This can be done either individually or by collaborating with recycling partners.
Utilizing pallets is also cost-efficient as far as waste disposal is concerned. Disposal of pallets at landfill sites carries its own costs; therefore, reuse is a more efficient method. Such an effort helps firms allocate their budgets to other environmentally friendly projects.
Lastly, if you’re planning on using pallets in any of your projects, it is advisable that you are safe and cautious when doing so. Below are some tips on how to handle pallets in a safe manner.
Think of what the pallet has been used for before and where it came from. Also, make sure the IPPC stamp is present and see whether there is an HT mark. HT stands for heat treated, which means that the wood has been sealed in a kiln to prevent any invasive species from harming it. Some pallets might be fumigated with methyl bromide, which is very poisonous to humans.
Always wear your mask and eye protection during the processes of cutting, sanding, or doing anything else related to your pallet project. Also, be sure to do everything in a well-ventilated place in order not to inhale any dust or fumes.
Ensure that you use appropriate tools that must be sharp and in good condition. Normally, pallet removal is done through the use of a pry bar and hammer. But a saw with a metal blade will do the job very easily.
Recycling wood pallet waste will help businesses cut down on the waste that ends up in landfills, recover materials of high value, and operate in a more environmentally sustainable way. Companies can do all of this by selecting the correct recycling partner.
USA Pallet & Warehousing Inc. offers tailored sustainability programs aimed at catering to all your requirements regarding recycling of wooden waste. Their services include recycling of unwanted pallets, damaged goods, and wooden waste.
USA Pallet & Warehousing Inc., through its flexible recycling program, provides the following:
Through collaboration with USA Pallet & Warehousing Inc., corporations have an opportunity to transform their wooden waste into reusable assets by becoming more sustainable and overcoming issues regarding waste disposal!
The process of wood recycling entails placing the waste wood on a chipping machine using a shovel or grabber and then moving the chipped wood to the screening stage using a shovel or a conveyor.
All wooden pallets have recycling potential; however, the condition of the wooden pallets, type of wood, and processes involved affect whether these wooden pallets will be repaired, used again, or converted to other wooden goods.
Materials from recycled pallets can be utilized to make new pallets, mulch for landscaping, animal bedding, wood composites, and biomass energy.
Companies can start off by collaborating with a recycling company, providing space for pallet collection, segregating the damaged ones, and monitoring their recycling activities.
The longevity of wooden pallets is determined by variables like their use, treatment, and care. A lot of pallets can be fixed and reused several times until they are recycled.
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