The Dutch Emballage and Pallet Industry Association (EPV) has nuanced its claim about the environmental burden of wooden pallets following recommendation by the Advertising Code Committee.
The EPV commissioned research a few months ago into the environmental impact of wooden pallets compared to plastic pallets. This study showed that wooden pallets are better for the environment and have 25 per cent less environmental impact than plastic pallets. Producers of plastic pallets reacted indignantly to this conclusion. The 25 per cent percentage would not be correct in all cases and the producers had not been asked to highlight their side. A second opinion resulted.
This second study by packaging organisation NRK shows that the 25 per cent percentage, which EPV had previously arrived at, only applies to the pallet with pressed bobbin, while the first study assumed that it applies to all wooden pallets. For other wooden pallets, the environmental impact would be 15 to 25 per cent lower than the best plastic pallet.
NRK Packaging filed a complaint with the Advertising Code Committee. These complaints were largely rejected, but the committee did state that EPV should nuance its claim about wooden pallets. EPV reported in a press release that it had come to the following conclusion: "The overall picture is that the wooden pallet is 15 per cent (pallet with pressed bobbin) to 25 per cent (pallet with full wood bobbin) less environmentally damaging." The association stresses that it still sees wood as the most responsible raw material for packaging. The material is said to be strong, durable and eternally renewable.
Stay up to date
Sign up for the newsletter and receive the latest news, trends, innovations and developments from the sector.
