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PalletCentral • September-October 2021 35 All these sub-optimal industry conditions lead to this object that is 100% recyclable not being recycled to near its potential. On the other hand, it has been estimated that approximately 95% of wood pallets are recycled 4 . A deeper analysis of the wood pallet industry gives a clear picture as to why wood pallets are recycled at a much higher rate. Over the past several decades, a vast recycling network has emerged in the United States. It has grown naturally around areas of distribution hubs where many pallets are needed to keep the supply chain moving. Independent companies work with pallet users to collect used pallets to be repaired, remanufactured, or recycled. The pallet rental model also exists, which obligates pallet users to return a pallet after it has been used. The pallet rental pools have developed their own networks that supplement the independent network. There are several opportunities to utilize used pallets. Many undamaged pallets are simply reused "as is" or easily repaired so that their performance can match the transportation requirements of many pallet users. Wood pallets are mostly made from metal (steel) fasteners and solid wood that is free of other substances. An unusable pallet can be easily disassembled for salvaged components, or simply mechanically separated from the metal fasteners during grinding to make wood fiber for mulch, biomass, or animal bedding. The most recent industry market survey revealed that in 2016, 326 million recycled pallets were produced versus 513 million new pallets, so that almost 40% of the wood pallets constructed were recycled pallets 5 . Because recycled pallets can generally be produced less expensively compared to new pallets, they have become a valuable part of the overall pallet industry. Furthermore, as a renewable material that is non- fossil fuel based, ground wood fiber from solid wood pallets has inherent value to downstream users. Carbon offsets exist for biomass users, and mulch and animal bedding users can rest easy knowing that it will biodegrade with no negative impacts to the environment. Context always matters, and in the case of recycling it is vital to understand the difference between what is recyclable and what is recycled. By knowing the difference between these two ideas, a pallet provider can help eliminate confusion as to why wood pallets are an environmentally superior product. 1. EPA. (2021, May 26). Plastics: Material-Specific Data. Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/ facts-and-figures-about-materials- waste-and-recycling/plastics- material-specific-data 2. Grand View Research. (2021, May). Report: Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report. Retrieved from https://www.grandviewresearch. com/industry-analysis/recycled- polyethylene-terephthalate-pet- market 3. Ibis World. (2021, July 29). Plastic Bottle Manufacturing Industry in the US - Market Research Report. Retrieved from: https://www.ibisworld. com/united-states/market- research-reports/plastic-bottle- manufacturing-industry/ 4. Estimated combined municipal solid waste (MSW) and construction and demolition landfills. Data on MSW from: Shiner, Z., Horvath, L., Araman, P., and Gething, B. 2021. "An Investigation of Wood Pallets Landfilled and Recovered at US Municipal Solid Waste Facilities." Bioresources 16 (1). 5. Gerber, Nathan, Laszlo Horvath, Phil Araman, and Brad Gething. 2020. "Investigation of New and Recovered Wood Shipping Platforms in the United States." Bioresources 15 (2). Brad Gething, PhD, NWPCA Vice President of Science & Technology, is the staff lead on many research projects including landfill avoidance, pallet market surveys, the environmental product declaration and life cycle assessment. He may be reached at bgething@ palletcentral.com or phone: 703.519.6104. iStockphoto.com/Alberto Masnovo

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