When purchasing pallets, you can choose from wooden or plastic pallets. The option of replacing wooden pallets with plastic pallets came out of the developments surrounding sustainability, cost efficiency, and environmental considerations. Society is becoming more and more aware when it comes to the environment. Organisations are also increasingly involved in this. Plastic pallets fit well with this development. But what are the regulations surrounding (plastic) pallets?
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Companies and organisations take the environment into consideration when purchasing their products. These companies are engaged in sustainable business; they treat the environment responsibly. This - in addition to various other aspects - falls under corporate social responsibility (CSR). Within the field of CSR, the Carbon Footprint has been established as a benchmark for industrial companies and organisations to use. This Carbon Footprint has an influence on the plastic pallet industry. Of course, Q-Pall also considers CSR highly important.
What is the Carbon Footprint?
The earth’s climate is affected by greenhouse gas emissions. The environmental impact of plastic pallets is determined by calculating the carbon footprint of these products. When determining the carbon footprint, the carbon dioxide equivalents necessary to manufacture a pallet - expressed in kilogrammes (kg CO2 eq.) - are calculated. Most CO2 emissions result from the extraction of raw materials, transport, and the production of end products. For customers who want to compare products, the carbon footprint is becoming an increasingly decisive factor in addition to the usual criteria such as price and quality.
Q-Pall and the Carbon Footprint
Q-Pall uses the results of the carbon footprint analysis as a zero measurement and starting point for improving the environmental performance of its products. Through strong design objectives for energy and material efficiency, Q-Pall wants to minimise the greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) documents are available for all types of plastic pallets.
Restriction of Hazardous Substances
The RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) directive is used by Q-Pall to confirm that its products are in compliance with the guidelines. The materials described in the RoHS are lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent Chromium (CrVI), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). This analysis is performed using X-Ray fluorescence (XRF).
X-Ray fluorescence
X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) is a fast and non-destructive way of analysing elements in various materials such as plastics, metal, or earth. XRF analysis combines a high accuracy and precision with an efficient sample preparation for the analysis of the elements Beryllium (Be) through Uranium (U) at a ‘part per million’ (PPM) level. This analysis is necessary to determine whether the products comply with the guidelines relating to Restriction of Hazardous Substances. Q-Pall has made sustainability one of the spearheads for its organisation. This complies with the applicable regulations. For instance, Q-Pall frequently makes use of recycled raw materials. Would you like to know more about the regulations surrounding (plastic) pallets and how Q-Pall has integrated into its business operations? Or do you have other questions regarding our extensive range? Feel free to contact us, we are happy to help you and provide you with free information.