The CEMEX pallet recovery scheme aims to reduce timber waste in the supply chain and make greater environmental efficiencies as part of its ‘Future in Action – Committed to Net Zero CO2’ Climate Action Strategy.
Under the scheme, all reusable wooden pallets are collected free of charge by ELM, CEMEX’s designated pallet collector, who refurbishes and returns the pallets to CEMEX UK Cement for reuse. Any pallets damaged beyond repair are recycled. Nationwide collections are available within ten working days on average from request, with capacity for up to 250 pallets (550 pallets for an articulated vehicle) per load, but can be as few as 50 pallets.
Graeme Barton, national sales manager Packed Cement, CEMEX, said: “We want to make life easier for our merchants to work with us to reduce waste. We’d like to make pallet recovery part of the standard delivery process, as many pallets still end up in landfill. It is increasingly costly to dispose of pallet waste, and there is far greater value to be gained by recycling and reuse. Rising timber costs, combined with pallet shortages, means there is a heightened need to conserve and maintain pallets throughout the supply chain. Recovery is considerably more cost-effective than buying new replacements.
“Pallets are a standard format in transporting building products and contribute a significant financial and environmental cost which needs to be captured by the user. We saw a similar situation with supermarkets and plastic bags, but we’d rather not wait for legislation to enforce this. We’d really like to make a difference now with preventative action. The pallet recovery service is regenerative by design and aims to support the key principles of the circular economy to benefit business, society and the environment. If we all pull together, it will have a significant impact across the whole supply chain.”
