Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1453353
24 PalletCentral • January-February 2022 palletcentral.com W hen it comes to making an impact in the advancement of the wooden pallet and container industry, many members of the NWPCA point to the work of the Pallet Foundation. e Pallet Foundation identifies critical data gaps and trends by funding research projects that enhance our industry's economic, environmental, and safety benefits. 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. e Pallet Foundation has as its mission: Moving The World, Safely, Securely & Sustainably. To unify the wood packaging industry, the Pallet Foundation delivers the latest science and technology that allow our businesses to succeed. We work with partners and invest heavily in projects to improve the safety of our industry and our environment. e core purpose is to support the success and promotion of the wood pallet and wood packaging industry. PARTNERING I N P R O G R E S S RAISING STAKES By Caryn Smith Thanks to the efforts of the Pallet Foundation and Foundation trustee Bill MacCauley, strides are being made to support the wood pallet and wood packaging industry and enhance the industry's economic, safety and environmental impacts. One only needs to visit the projects page of the Foundation's website (https://palletfoundation.org/ projects/) to see the immense value of the work. From economic impact studies, the Life Cycle Assessment and Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), to studies on landfill avoidance, and ongoing research to the Pallet Design System™, the Foundation is committed to positioning wood, and wooden pallets and containers, as a sustainable and highly valued resource for the supply chain. NWPCA has taken on significant and more in- depth advancements for the industry in the last few years, primarily due to the funding from the auction at the Annual Leadership Conference. is year alone, the NWPCA auction raised over $300,000 to continue the ongoing projects and objectives of the Foundation. is fundraising phenomenon isn't an accident; it has resulted from years of investing in relationships and developing a real understanding of what the Foundation's work is all about. One NWPCA member has had a significant hand in developing the relationships – Foundation trustee Bill MacCauley, President of John Rock, Inc., also well-known as the Foundation Auctioneer An Interview with Bill MacCauley