The Live Wire

Environment

Environmental and sustainability issues are at the forefront of the political and social agenda. It is widely accepted that climate change is happening and that we are already seeing its effects.

The Government is looking urgently for ways to reduce CO2 emissions without compromising economic growth.

Increasing the use of wood and wood products – such as pallets and packaging – can play a significant role in achieving this reduction.

Wood can contribute to a reduction in climate change in various ways:

1. Substitution of less environmentally friendly packaging materials with wood
2. Storage of carbon from the tree throughout the life of the pallet - and beyond, through recycling
3. Regeneration of forests

1. Substitution for less environmentally friendly materials

The manufacture of timber pallets and packaging requires less energy and releases far less CO2 than other materials – particularly plastics. Not only does wood take less energy to produce, but the production is also far cleaner in terms of air and water toxicity.

2. Storage of carbon – a negative carbon footprint

Carbon dioxide accounts for 85% of the greenhouse gas emissions widely accepted as contributing to global warming. Forests are huge "carbon sinks"; they absorb and lock in large amounts of CO2.

• A typical tree absorbs, through photosynthesis, the equivalent of one tonne of carbon dioxide for every cubic metre's growth.

• Every wooden pallet represents approximately 27kg of carbon that can be offset from the footprint of the supply chain using it.

• Softwood for pallets and packaging is fast growing, and harvesting and modern forest management techniques ensure that the carbon sink benefits are maximised.

3. Regeneration of forests

The wood used for most UK pallets and packaging comes from managed forests, which planted to fulfil demand, and replanting more trees.

European forests, where over 90% of Europe's timber comes from, are being developed on a sustainable basis and have active policies of replanting. This total planted area is increasing by an area the size of Cyprus (approximately 802,000 hectares) every year.

Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation (TIMCON)

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