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Pallet manufacturing is an essential part of the world’s collective supply chain and logistics industry, but pallet production often requires a lot of resources. Pallet manufacturers typically adhere to a 42”x48” sizing rule, and the wood required to make one pallet roughly equates to just over 15’ of wood. Depending on the thickness of a pallet, the environmental impact on trees alone means that one pallet may require one quarter of a tree to produce.
Because of this impact, the need for sustainable pallet production has risen in recent years. Aside from reducing the amount of wood needed to produce wooden pallets, eco-friendly pallet manufacturing may also reduce greenhouse gas emissions used in the manufacturing process.
Machinery that requires fuel and equipment that runs on electricity can quickly gobble up resources, but sustainable manufacturing processes can reduce the need for these resources, potentially lowering the output of potentially harmful emissions from both manufacturing facilities and the energy sources that supply them.
If you work in the pallet manufacturing industry and want to explore eco-friendly pallet manufacturing in order to save money while reducing your company’s carbon footprint, we’ve put together a list of some of the top benefits of using sustainable practices for eco-friendly pallet production.
The largest and most obvious benefit of using eco-friendly practices in your pallet manufacturing operations is that it can help the environment. When your company uses fewer natural resources to manufacture and process pallets, this can drive down waste and reduce strain on the electric grid while reducing the use of fuel.
Looking for opportunities for sustainability can also reduce the number of trees required to produce pallets, and this helps keep ecosystems in balance. Plastic pallets and pallets made from hybrid materials tend to last longer than wood as well, offering customers a product that can stand the test of time while reducing the number of trees required to keep the logistics industry moving forward.
Although wood pallets are some of the most common types of pallets used in the logistics industry, pallets prone to breakage can lead to waste when they get discarded. Discarded pallets need to be replaced, and this means more manufacturing resources from your company and energy suppliers.
Pallet recycling is a way to reuse old or broken pallets to keep them out of landfills. This reduces the need to manufacture new pallets using new materials, and it may present lower costs to manufacturers for raw materials as well. As a whole, the pallet industry benefits along with the environment.
To take things a step further, you may be able to pass savings along to your customers in the form of lower prices, providing your brand with a competitive edge. Pallets manufactured using recycled materials can be used the same as new pallets, but the cost savings and environmentally-friendly approach to production using recycled materials make recycled pallets an attractive option.
Although your business wants to be environmentally-friendly and reduce waste, you can also gain a marketing advantage by moving toward eco-friendly manufacturing. Advertising the fact that your company supports an environmentally-conscious manufacturing process can have a positive impact on your bottom line as consumers these days tend to gravitate toward socially responsible companies.
You can advertise your commitment to sustainability on your company’s website, through physical marketing collateral and even on social media. For example, on your LinkedIn page for business, the platform gives you the opportunity to highlight various socially-responsible activities and beliefs. You can use LinkedIn and other social media outlets to let customers know about your manufacturing practices and the steps you’re taking to save resources and reduce carbon emissions at the same time.
Whenever you use your sustainability practices as a marketing tool, be cautious about making promises you’re unable to keep. It’s fine to have lofty goals and principles, but if your company can’t fulfill the obligations it makes public, highlighting your commitments can backfire when you aren’t able to meet your obligations.
When you use sustainability as a core principle in the manufacturing of pallets, you may be able to open new revenue streams. Pallets made from recycled materials may cost less to manufacture, and there’s a market out there for buyers who are specifically looking for recycled or sustainably-processed products.
If you currently only offer new pallets to customers, you already know your markup can drive prices higher, and the cost of new materials tends to be higher than that of recycled materials. Consider offering a lower-cost solution through recycled pallets or pallets made from recycled materials in order to open new revenue streams and position your company as a source for new and recycled pallet products.
When you use virgin raw wood or other new materials for pallet manufacturing, you may find your company limited by available supply, especially if you only source materials locally or regionally. This can put projects on hold and lead to delays in shipments, ultimately leading to angry customers. The problem is that you and your materials suppliers can’t always predict when an issue will come along and cause materials to be in short supply.
When you mix recycled or alternatively-sourced materials into your pallet manufacturing processes, availability may no longer be an issue. If new materials aren’t available, recycled materials may be another option to get pallet manufactured and shipped faster. It also helps if you have multiple sources for both new and recycled materials.
One way to ensure this is to keep a supply of recycled pallets on hand to source pieces and parts from. You may be able to reuse pieces from old pallets instead of discarding them, and this can also reduce your spend on materials. Having access to pallet parts from older pallets across your manufacturing spaces may also help your workers be more productive and respond to orders faster.
At Pallet Marketing Company, we specialize in pallet marketing solutions, personalized to meet the unique needs of your brand. Whether you want to highlight your company’s dedication to eco-friendly pallet manufacturing practices or you simply want to reach more customers, our team can help.
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