Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1538938
40 Pallet C e nt ral • S e ptem be r- O ctobe r 2 0 25 SUSTAINABILITY S ustainability is no longer optional; it's an essential part of doing business. For companies using wood pallets, being able to quantify environmental impact is key to meeting customer expectations and internal sustainability goals. at's why the NWPCA and the Pallet Foundation created a powerful new tool: a Carbon Calculator specifically for wooden pallets. Backed by the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data from the industry's initial Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), and developed by John Beath Environmental ( JBE), this new calculator brings standardized, science-based carbon and other environmental impact reporting to the forefront of wood pallet design and purchasing decisions. Verified Data, Real-World Use e Carbon Calculator is built on a foundation of trusted, third party-verified data, including US-specific lumber sourcing practices and environmental metrics from the internationally recognized ecoinvent database. At its core is the comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) behind the wood pallet industry's initial Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). is rigorous analysis captures the full environmental footprint of a pallet, encompassing raw material sourcing, manufacturing, and recycling. By embedding this verified data into the calculator, the tool provides carbon impact estimates that accurately reflect real-world performance rather than relying on generic assumptions. Whether you're benchmarking your operations, supporting customer ESG goals, or strengthening your sustainability strategy, the calculator provides a consistent and credible foundation for environmental reporting using the same data standards that underpin the EPD for wooden pallets. Integrated With PDS: Coming Soon e new Carbon Calculator will be released in Fall 2025. An even more powerful version of the tool will be available in early 2026, when the Carbon Calculator is integrated with the Pallet Design System™ (PDS) software. is integration allows users to not only design safer and more cost-effective pallets but also assess their environmental impact in the same workflow by uploading the PDS design to the calculator. With the Environmental Calculator, sustainability becomes a standard part of the pallet design conversation, without the need for extra tools or guesswork. Powered By The Pallet Founda on e development of the Environmental Calculator was made possible through funding from the Pallet Foundation and a partnership with the Softwood Export Council. With this release, the Foundation continues to lead the charge in advancing industry tools, research, and education. By investing in the Environmental Calculator, the Foundation reinforces its commitment to transparency, sustainability, and innovation in the wood packaging sector. Why It Ma ers For pallet manufacturers and recyclers, the Environmental Calculator offers a powerful tool for assessing carbon A SMARTER WAY TO MEASURE SUSTAINABILITY New Environmental And Carbon Calculator For Wooden Pallets BY BRAD GETHING, PHD