Some tasks are just too big for any one company to take on by themselves. That’s why smart companies realize when they can make small investments that will pay off with big dividends through industry advancements.
Wood pallets are the number one choice of the supply chain right now. But it doesn’t have to always be that way. There are some people who are working to push for alternatives to take the place of wood pallets.
The Pallet Foundation (PF) is a group of wood pallet industry leaders that are working together to develop research, customer outreach resources and tools that help the entire industry better serve pallet users and prepare for the supply chains of the future. This letter is for those who have never supported the Pallet Foundation or don’t realize how much its work can help them.
The PF identifies critical data gaps and trends by funding research whose answers have the potential to enhance the economic, environmental, and safety benefits of our industry. Wood pallets are the most recovered, refurbished, and recycled packaging product on the planet, and more than 173,000 people and their families are a part of the community.
Don’t take it from me. Hear what some in the industry have to say.
“There is a lot of required research needed to maintain our competitive advantage in the industrial products packaging arena. Annual contributions go towards ensuring continued success as an industry,” said Steve Yelland, president of JFR Holdings, which owns pallet manufacturing facilities in Pennsylvania.
Stephen Grimes of Pallet Resource of North Carolina, explained, “The Pallet Foundation funds rigorous scientific research that shines a light on issues ranging from logistics to economics to sustainability and environmental issues.”
Debra Berry, CEO of Berry Industrial, a pallet company serving the Northeast region, commented, “Regardless of your company size, the things the PF support helps extend the conversation beyond just the spec and cost of the pallet. PF research covers the social, environmental and business aspect of pallets.”
As the supply chain changes, the wood pallet sector needs to stay ahead of the game. Someone needs to be thinking ahead and working to develop answers for tomorrow’s questions. Stephen Grimes suggested, “I’ve worked in the pallet industry since the mid-1990s. In that time, we have seen a sea change in how the world operates, handles, manufactures and ships goods. No one asked much about phytosanitary standards, life cycles, sustainability, or safety in my early days, and I wouldn’t have known how to begin to address most of those issues. We didn’t have the answers back then. Now, thanks largely to The Pallet Foundation, we have data… Challenges will continue to arise in the future, and we as an industry can collectively address them with help from The Pallet Foundation.”
Some of the notable achievements of the PF include the development of the Nature’s Packaging website and outreach campaign. Nature’s Packaging is the wood pallet sector’s scientific research and outreach program offering a website, tools and resources that assist all wood pallet companies better communicate with their customers. If you haven’t taken advantage of these resources, I encourage you to visit www.naturespackaging.com today.
The PF funded and pioneered the development of the industry’s first Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). This analysis of the industry’s environmental performance can be used to communicate our sustainability record to pallet users. Even only a few years ago, nobody cared about the sustainability or green record of their packaging supplier. Now social issues are front and center.
Debra Berry reminded, “At some point the generations change, new purchasing agents care more about the environment and sustainability than the previous generation did when making purchasing decisions.”
Brad Gething, Ph.D., vice president, science and technology for the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association said, “The EPD is a game changer because it was developed through the U.S. Forest Products Lab and certified by UL. The transparency of the process and collaboration with trusted partners provides ample credibility for referencing the environmental impacts and talking about a net positive carbon potential to using wood pallets.”
Another major focus for the Pallet Foundation is funding and developing key industry studies. Most recently, the organization developed a report on the Economic Impact of the Wood Pallet Sector. This research is used to explain the importance of the industry to lawmakers, local governments and major corporations. The U.S. wood pallet industry generates a total economic impact of US$31 billion in economic activity. And the only reason we know that number is because of the PF and its work.
For years, critics of wood pallets have played up the amount of waste going into landfills. Thanks to a vigorous recycling industry for wood pallets, the industry has been able to show that the story on this issue is actually in our favor. All the evidence we had to cite was anecdotal until the PF developed its Landfill Avoidance Study. Research showed that wood pallets are recycled at a 95% rate, much better than other transport packaging options.
The PF also worked with Forest2Market to develop a comprehensive look at the U.S. wood residuals markets. All of this information is available for free to the public.
So, you may ask, “If I can get this for free, why should I contribute?” The answer is simple. If everyone took this attitude, there would be no research, no EPD, no Nature’s Packaging campaign. Now is the time to get into the game and help guide what the PF does next.
You can get involved in many ways. You can even help shape what projects the PF funds and focuses on. Stephen Grimes suggested, “Making a corporate donation to The Pallet Foundation is one of those rare contributions you can feel 100% good about as an investment because it will absolutely benefit your company. Beyond donating directly at https://www.palletcentral.com/page/palletfoundation, there are fun ways to support The Pallet Foundation, such as buying some treasures at The Pallet Foundation Auction at NWPCA’s Annual Leadership Conference or playing in the Annual ALC Golf Tournament.
If someone has a great idea for a project and funding, they can review the criteria and submit an application: https://palletfoundation.org/projects/apply-for-a-grant/.
While you are busy right now running your company, consider investing in the industry’s future by contributing this year to the PF. Even better, contribute and start taking advantage of some of its work on your behalf; you will be glad you did.
