The Live Wire

Plastics

The Timber Packaging and Pallet Federation (TIMCON) has called for members of the grocery industry to demand specific information from the manufacturers of plastic pallets being used in their supply chains.

The organisation says a number of questions about the suitability of plastic pallets remain unanswered. These are:

• Do plastic pallets contain harmful deca-bromine or other fire-retardants?

• What percentage of plastic pallets still contains high levels of heavy metals?

• What is the carbon footprint of a plastic pallet compared with a timber pallet?

• What is the impact of a plastic pallet on the environment compared with a timber pallet?

• Are there any economic advantages of using a plastic pallet over a timber pallet?

TIMCON President John Dye said: "We are calling on members of the grocery industry to ask for clear cut answers to the above questions. It is evident from recent stories placed in the press, and from comments made on the websites of certain manufacturers, that the sector harbours significant misunderstandings of both the disadvantages of using plastic and the considerable advantages of using timber. This clearly has implications for the profitability and environmental impact of the grocery industry."

"Not only is a timber pallet is up to six times lower in price than its plastic equivalent and is made from a material that is re-usable, recyclable, repairable. It has a negative carbon footprint and plays a significant role in reducing climate change because it stores carbon as it grows. Timber is well established and meets all the international standards for pallets and packaging, which is why it continues to be the material of choice for grocery supply chains."

Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation (TIMCON)

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