Pallet Use/Re-Use

["Richard Illig (717) 327-3568" <ILLIG.RICHARD@a1.pader.gov>]

    One & All,
    
    I've been trying to stay on the sideline for this issue, but the 
    temptation is too strong.
    
    I strongly agree with the writer that suggested there is no one 
    solution that will work for every situation, and that companies 
    need to be innovative and perhaps change strategies from time to 
    time as markets come and go.  However, more permanent solutions 
    often are developed by way of a cooperative effort.
    
    1)  Is this pallet problem limited to only one company in the 
    area?  What are other companies doing with their pallets?  Whoever 
    suggested giving or marketing the pallets to other local 
    companies, or at least check-out their management method, was on 
    the money!  The point being, TALK TO OTHER AREA INDUSTRIES.  It is 
    one sign of a healthy environmental management system.
    
    2)  If the problem is a large one, surely the potential cost of 
    landfilling pallets (thanks to the individual who cast a light on 
    disposal pallet weight and disposal costs) could, in a few years, 
    justify the purchase of a wood grinder (with magnetic separator 
    for nails).  Ground pallets could be used for mulch at your 
    facility.  Does your facility pay an outside company to landscape 
    yearly?
        Provided you cannot use all the mulch, what about local 
    nurseries, composting operations, landscapers, residential users, 
    or go whole hog and try to develop the material into another 
    product...one company took several wastes (to create a blend) 
    including cardboard, and manure and composted it themselves 
    (luckily this can be done in Pa. without a permit in many cases).  
    The resulting material was marketed to residential users, Scotts 
    Hyponex, and anyone else who wanted a truckload for gardens, etc.  
    Perhaps teaming with other industries (especially food 
    processors), a local farmer or two, and/or a municipality may work 
    to the benefit of all parties concerned including local residents.  
    The potential for incorporation of sewage sludge in such a mix 
    also presents excellent possibilities, especially if the sewage 
    suldge is currently being landfilled.
        If local laws do not allow, or make permitting these 
    operations difficult, it may be time to get a group together and 
    loby for regulatory changes when it comes to beneficial use of 
    waste.  Most politicians will jump on the opportunity to back an 
    environmentally friendly, high publicity issue.  If your state has 
    a P2 office, enlist their support for regulatory change.
    
    3) Try working with the landfill, local and state government 
    recycling programs, and other companies to develop composting at 
    the landfill for source separated compostable materials.  The more 
    parties that get involved will dilute cost factors.  The landfill 
    may still have to charge but I'd bet the cost of disposal may be 
    cut in half.  Government programs often will throw a lot of grant 
    money at recycling programs.  The landfill permit should be able 
    to be modified without too much problem to incorporate the 
    composting operation...some areas even require local landfills to 
    compost yard waste and will not allow disposal of loads consisting 
    primarily of leaf waste.  Most landfills have an almost unlimited 
    need for landscaping material (mulch) and benefits by diverting 
    compostable materials to reuse rather than occupy disposal space.
        As an example, our local landfill invested in a huge mobile 
    grinder.  They charge a reduced rate for source separated virgin 
    wood materials.  The grinder, when not in operation at the 
    facility, is used by local municipalities to grind yard waste at 
    local collection areas.  Municipalities use the mulch for parks, 
    athletic fields, and give it away to residents.  The landfill is 
    not composting currently, but I think they are exploring the 
    potential of diverting other materials for this purpose.  The 
    competing use, is a nearby wood-only co-generation plant.  (I 
    know, it is a real luxury to have available, especially if you can 
    grind your own wood.)  Also, the landfill (or maybe I should say 
    the County that operates the landfill) rents the grinder out for 
    private use at some very reasonable rates, provided you have a 
    large volume of wood needing ground. 
    
    My point is, if you have a problem, you can bet the problem is 
    more wide-spread and others probably need help.  If not the case, 
    you DO have a problem which may run deeper than just pallets.  
    There may be no dirt cheap solution. 
    
    (Sorry for rambling)