The case for timber packaging
February 1st 2008 Pallets and packaging
solutions made from timber
are the most socially
responsible, cost-effective
and hygienic choice for the
storage and transportation
of most types of goods
–including food, says
timcon, the timber
packaging and pallet
confederation. Over 95% of
the softwood used in the UK
is sourced from the
European forest industry.
These are professionally
managed resources where
more trees are planted
annually than are harvested.
They absorb carbon dioxide
and release oxygen, helping
to reduce the build-up of
greenhouse gases.
In addition, timber pallets
and packaging are
repairable and biodegradable.
There are waste
and recycling benefits too,
as cut-offs, broken boards
from pallet repair and endof-
life pallets and cases are
usually a good source of
clean wood, suitable for use
by composting organisations
and biomass producers.
A number of laboratory
and field test studies
suggest that bacteria survive
better on plastics than
wood, and that high
temperature and highpressure
water treatments
can both be used as efficient
cleaning methods. An
accurate measurement of
the carbon savings made
can be determined with
software by ESD (Energy for
Sustainable Development). More articles from Timcon: | 
