Researchers from the Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design (CPULD) at Virginia Tech are working on developing a life cycle analysis database that will give white-wood companies a baseline to compare their performance with others as well as provide a scientific-based comparison with alternative materials. Specifically, the program looks at the environmental impact of white-wood, stringer pallet repair operations across the United States. And you can play a crucial role in making this a reality while learning how your company compares to others around the country.
Jonghun (Jay) Park, a doctoral student at the CPULD, is currently seeking pallet repair companies that will participate. There is no cost to be involved and the time commitment is minimal. All you need to do is complete a survey and be available for a limited phone interview if necessary.
In terms of the data, your specific results will be kept confidential and will not be released to any other third party. Only aggregate data will be made available to the public or other researchers.
There are a number of reasons that pallet recyclers should participate. For starters, the more data that is provided, the better the analysis will be as the wooden pallet industry competes against rental and alternative materials. It only takes a limited time and will be helpful in your future marketing efforts.
By being involved, you ensure that your voice is heard. Also, the researchers have committed to provide any company that participates and requests it a confidential summary of how that company compares to others and what it can do to improve its environmental scorecard. This is a service that would otherwise cost you lots of money. And there is no cost to participate in this survey other than a little bit of your time.
And finally, you will learn about life cycle analysis by participating and will start to evaluate your operation based on a different criteria than you have likely used in the past.
Currently, the researchers at Virginia Tech are collecting data now until Jan/Feb 2014.
“We need more industry input, and this data will help everybody in the white-wood, stringer market be able to talk intelligently about the true environmental scorecard of the industry,” said Jay Park, who is leading the research initiative.
Take a few minutes and respond today. Don’t wait! Contact Jay Park by phone at 517-643-3887 or email jonghun3@vt.edu.
