Wood pallets earn favored status for federal purchases
National Wooden Pallet & Container Association
The Pallet Design System

Photo By National Wooden Pallet & Container Association

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association earned USDA Certified Biobased Product status for wood pallet manufacturers that use its Pallet Design System. The pallets can be labeled as 100-percent biobased products, and federal agencies are required to buy them.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's BioPreferred  Program and the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association action covers all coated and uncoated wood pallets manufactured with NWPCA's Pallet Design System (PDS).

"Achieving certification for our PDS users confirms the strong environmental attributes of wood pallets and presents tremendous opportunities for our members," said Brent McClendon, President and CEO of NWPCA. All Federal agencies and their contractors have a sustainable product acquisition mandate to purchase biobased products identified by USDA's BioPreferred program. Wood pallet design also combats inroads by plastic pallets made with petroleum.

Kate Lewis of USDA's BioPreferred Program called the label an "accomplishment in demonstrating the sustainability of wood products. To receive product certification from USDA, pallets manufactured using PDS underwent third-party testing of multiple products." said Lewis. "Hundreds of companies are now partners in the program and may begin labeling their pallets."

A product's biobased content is the portion of a product that comes from a renewable carbon source, such as plant, animal, marine, or forestry feedstocks. Using biobased materials displaces the need for non-renewable petroleum-based materials and plays an increasingly important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions that exacerbate global climate change. Visit www.palletcentral.com to learn more about the BioPreferred Program's USDA Certified Biobased Product label.

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About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.