The National Association of Pallet Distributors (NAPD) has swiftly rounded on a group of UK-based plastic pallet interests which claimed that “wood pallets are to be outlawed” and “contain contamination”.
The claims were contained in a mailshot widely distributed to pallet buyers by the “Pro-Pallet Syndicate”, which claimed its aim was to “rapidly eliminate the use of wood for pallets” by replacing them with plastic.
The mailshot claimed that wood pallets were to be outlawed and “some countries are already rejecting them”.
The NAPD said it contacted the syndicate to set the record straight by using data from independent European research.
This included the latest EU measurement criteria which shows wood pallets have a better eco-profile than plastic, steel or paper pallets, as well as recent German research which shows that used plastics pallets contain greater numbers of bacteria on their surface than used European redwood versions.
Paul Tait, NAPD secretary, said: “We knew when we received this document that the claims were unfounded so the NAPD decided to counter fiction with fact. We are at the forefront of developing safe and economic methods of using new, repaired and recycled wood pallets.”
He said the mailshot was “rapidly” withdrawn by the syndicate.
The Pro-Pallet Syndicate is thought to be a grouping of plastic pallet manufacturers, possibly based in Birmingham.
At the time of posting this story, ttjonline.com was unable to make contact with the group.
