Wood

RAW MATERIAL

- Wood is a renewable raw material with a high availability.
- There are certification systems for the sustainable cultivation of timber.
- Recycled wood is also used for the production of wooden packaging materials such as pallet bobbins, wood fibre pallets, the use of so-called OSB and chipboard in industrial packaging materials or (storage) crates.

MASS

The relatively low mass of wooden packaging materials in relation to their strength positively affects the environmental impact:
- Limited amount of material used;
- Limited energy consumption during transport

TYPES OF PACKAGING MATERIALS

- Wood is often used for protective packaging materials used during transport, such as crates, industrial packaging, so-called flight cases, storage chests and pallets. This is due to the material’s excellent mechanical strength and the possibility of processing it into packaging materials in small quantities.
- Wooden transport packaging materials are often suitable for reuse and can be repaired when damaged.
- Wooden barrels are hardly ever used anymore. This application is generally only used because of how the material affects the maturation process of luxury alcoholic beverages such as wines and whiskies.
- Because of its appearance, wood is also used for luxury packaging materials.

PROCESS EFFICIENCY

- During processing into industrial crates, wood can sometimes be delivered in flat or folded form. It is given its 3D shape during the packaging process. This reduces the volume of the empty packaging materials, which makes their transport and storage more efficient.
- Ready-made crates that are delivered in empty form have a significant environmental impact during transport and storage. Of course, the scope of this impact depends on the distance that the empty crates travel.
- The efficiency for smaller packaging materials is limited somewhat by the relative thickness of the walls of wooden packaging materials. The material takes up more space, which increases the packaging’s exterior dimensions. This negatively affects the environmental impact during transport and storage.

PROTECTION

- Because of its excellent mechanical protection, wood is often used as a protective transport packaging material.
- Wooden packaging materials have limited moisture resistance, which can lead to warping, discolouration or splintering.
- Wood can become contaminated as a result of biological causes such as vermin and fungi, as well as mechanical causes such as dust and splinters. The usage environment of wooden packaging materials and the product to be packaged must therefore be taken into account. There are various techniques to protect wooden packaging materials, including pallets, against these effects.

REUSE

Crates, pallets and spools are usually suitable for reuse because of the structure and robustness of wooden packaging materials. Reusable packaging materials are generally standardised. They are produced in accordance with uniform quality standards, which improves their reusability. Their dimensions are tailored to the dimensions of e.g. a truck or container and those of the goods to be transported. This is done to optimise the efficiency of the transport. Reusable pallets, storage crates for agricultural produce (potatoes, fruit, onions) and cable spools can be part of a pool system or a close-knit network of traders and repairers. If necessary, these materials are repaired before being reintroduced on the market. By using a return system, packaging materials can be returned when the next shipment comes in or they can be delivered to a depot. The average lifespan of a pallet is seven to fourteen years, while storage crates and cable spools can be used for as long as twenty years. Standardisation, prevention and reuse all contribute to us using wood more sparingly as a raw material.

REPAIR IS RECYCLING

Since 2016, repairing wooden pallets is considered as a form of recycling in the Netherlands. By including these repairs, value is assigned to the reuse of wooden packaging materials. This makes the set recycling targets for wooden packaging materials easier to realise. In 2016, the recycling target for wooden packaging materials in the Netherlands was 33%. With a final recycling rate of 51%, the target was easily met that year. Wood as a raw material is ideally suited for repair, after which the wooden packaging material can be reintroduced on the market. For example, the boards and bobbins of a pallet can easily be replaced when damaged.

COLLECTION

Wooden packaging materials are used almost exclusively as commercial packaging.
- Businesses have to make their own arrangements with collection and sorting companies to have their commercial wooden packaging waste collected.
- There is no separate collection system for wooden packaging waste from households. Citizens can return this waste to their municipal waste collection point as part of the total stream of waste wood.

SORTING AND RECYCLING

- Wood can be recycled, so the material can be used for new products or packaging materials.
- Pallets are recycled and turned into e.g. chipboard, MDF or wood chips.
- Wood fibres can also be used for the production of paper and cardboard.

USE OF THE RECYCLED MATERIAL

Recycled wood is used for the production of so-called wood fibre pallets and pallet bobbins.