Happy Earth Day! Let's Dispel Wood Pallet Myths!

Happy Earth Day! One of Nelson’s specialties is wood pallets. It may be hard to believe but wood pallets and the lumber industry are not bad for the environment. We decided to dispel some common myths about wood pallets and the environment in celebration of Earth Day

Myth: Wood pallet manufacturers don’t care about trees.

Fact: What? We love trees! As a wood pallet manufacturer, we must care about trees and the environment. Trees are a renewable resource. Trees are a crop that is harvested. When one tree is cut down, two more are planted. In fact, in 2012 4.3 trees were planted for every person living in the United States. Currently there is 119% more standing timber in North America than there was in 1950! If we don’t have trees, we cannot manufacture our product.

Myth: Landfills are filled with wood pallets.

Fact: According to a study by Virginia Tech and the USDA Forestry Service, less than 3% of the almost 700 million pallets manufactured each year are dumped into landfills. Wood pallets have a long life cycle. If a wood pallet is damaged, the first response is to fix it. Wood pallets are repaired over and over again. Once a pallet’s life cycle is complete, the first option is too dismantle it. The parts can be used to repair other pallets or to manufacture a pallet of recycled parts. If its parts are unusable, the pallet can be ground up for mulch, charcoal, or many types of fuel. But if a wood pallet does end up in a landfill, don’t worry its biodegradable!

Myth: Wood pallets have no place in the green, sustainability movement. 

Fact: Wood pallets are super green! They are reusable, repairable, and recyclable. A survey conducted by Modern Materials Handling found that 73% of pallets are recycled. Pallets are one of the most recycled products in the United States.

​Myth: The wood pallet industry kills trees to make pallets.

Fact: This is simply not true. Trees are not cut down to make pallets. The lumber used for pallets is a byproduct of the lumber used in the construction of houses and furniture. Any lumber that is not aesthetically acceptable for these purposes is used for pallets.​

How are you celebrating Earth Day? Planting a tree? Pledging to recycle? Can Nelson help? Let us know by commenting below!

Post by: Kaitlin Manning, Creative Director