Lifecycle of a Pallet | 48forty Solutions

Published 2024-03-13

Pallets play a critical role in the global #supplychain, supporting nearly every product that is used in our workplaces, our communities, and our homes. Wood pallets can be reused up to 15 times, promoting circularity and creating environmental and economical benefits for the rapidly evolving warehouse, distribution, retail, and e-commerce industries.

The lifecycle of a pallet includes five main phases:

🌲 Raw materials sourcing
♻️ Recycling process
🔧 Sortation and repair
🔄 Recirculation
🌱 Teardown

Watch for the lifecycle of a pallet in action! Then, see the impact your company can make by choosing recycled wooden pallets: info.48forty.com/environmental-impact

** 48forty means national capabilities with local know-how, end-to-end pallet solutions, and a better customer experience. We’re Pallet Management Made Simple™ www.48forty.com/.

**For industry insights and actionable advice, see our blog: www.48forty.com/blog

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**MORE ON THE LIFECYCLE OF A RECYCLED WOOD PALLET**

Raw Materials Sourcing
New wood pallets are made from lumber that can't be utilized for other purposes, like building furniture or constructing houses. New pallets are incorporated into the supply chain by retailers and distributors, where they are used for transporting goods across the globe. A pallet may only be in service once before it's classified as "used".

Starting the Recycling Process
Used pallets are sourced from retailers and distribution centers and sent to warehouses to be sorted.

Sortation and Repair
Pallets in good repair or lightly damaged are sorted from badly damaged pallets. Lightly damaged pallets are repaired using recycled materials, and the refurbished goods are stacked for distribution. Repaired pallets can be reused up to 15 times.

Recirculation
Recycled pallets are redistributed to customers, keeping recycled packaging materials out of the landfill and promoting circular practices.

Teardown
Pallets that are beyond repair are either broken down into usable board for our pallet repair program or are sent to be mulched. More than 95% of the lumber needed to repair 48forty Solutions' pallets is sourced from broken pallets. Mulched material is repurposed as landscaping material or sent to be used as a biofuels sou