Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1505351
22 PalletCentral • July-August 2023 palletcentral.com sustainable wood, we contribute to the conservation of forests and support sustainable forestry practices. We actively seek ways to reduce waste and promote circularity. Our production plant for RayoBlock (compressed wood pallet blocks) is made from wood waste. By transforming wood waste into a valuable product, we actively contribute to the circular economy and minimize waste generation. e major drivers for our sustainability initiatives stem from our core values and stakeholder demands. We are committed to minimizing our environmental impact and contributing to a more sustainable future. Sustainability guides our decision-making processes. An increasing number of clients prioritize sustainability in their supply chains. As a customer- centric company, we are responsive to our clients' needs and preferences. We strive to meet their sustainability requirements and provide eco-friendly solutions. We have established a waste separation program to ensure proper recycling or repurposing of wood waste and packaging materials. Investing in research and development, we leverage new technologies and artificial intelligence to optimize manufacturing processes, reduce material waste, and improve resource utilization. We aim to lead by example, inspiring others in the industry to prioritize sustainability. At Tarimera El Rayo, sustainability is not just a passing trend but a long-term commitment. It guides our actions and shapes our future strategy. By prioritizing sustainability, we can make a positive impact on the environment, promote stakeholder well-being, and contribute to a greener, more sustainable wooden pallet industry. Brian Towell Director of Operations, United Pallet Services Sustainability plays a vital role in an industry whose primary resource depends on our responsibility as good stewards of the forests. United Pallet Services strives to use as much recycled material as we can. Over one-third of our facility is dedicated to recycling used material. We de-nail old pallets, skids, crates, and much more to minimize our footprint. Building a new/used pallet is a great way to save our customers' overhead while reducing our need to purchase new lumber. Any material that cannot be repurposed is sent to co-generation plants for fuel to generate electricity or heat for our communities. Like most family-owned companies, our leader Wayne Randell set out to build a company that provides a sustainable future for his family and the families of his employees. Wayne wanted a company he and his employees could support, be proud of, and trust to provide for their families for years to come. Our incredible team at United Pallet Services works hard to be good stewards of every piece of material we process in our facility. United Pallet Services promotes longevity with the new pallet side through our recovery and repair program. We like to build long-term relationships with our customers, meaning we don't just sell new pallets and move on; we help them recycle, reclaim, and repair any broken pallets, bringing them full circle back into circulation, inevitably saving costs and extending the life of their current pallets. We are also intentional about what new lumber we purchase. We evaluate our common pallet sizes and purchase lengths that yield little to no waste whenever possible. We strive to partner and invest in relationships with companies and suppliers who believe in sustaining and securing the future of our industry. We continually seek ways to improve, support, and give back to our industry. We invest in new equipment that is more accurate and efficient. e goal is to reduce waste and increase our output while reducing our overall energy needs. To do this, we consistently upgrade our older production equipment to new, more efficient ones. Fernando López San Martín Coordinador Nuevos Proyectos, Losifra At Losifra, we have always been aware of the importance of having a wood purchasing and transformation process that meets the sustainability standards that our society demands, which is why we have signed and committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and have been working under FSC and Ecovadis standards for several years. We are proud to have been awarded a gold medal this year by Ecovadis, which places us in the top 5% of companies with the best sustainability scores in the world. By choosing sustainable wood, we contribute to the conservation of forests and support sustainable forestry practices. —Samuel Podlipsky