British Gypsum transitions to eco-friendly pallets, enhancing sustainability.
- 40,000 green pallets introduced to British Gypsum in July alone.
- Green pallets facilitate nationwide distribution of plasterboard.
- A cash-return incentive encourages the return of used pallets.
- The initiative aims to significantly cut construction carbon emissions.
British Gypsum has taken a major step towards sustainability by incorporating distinctive green reusable pallets for the delivery of its plasterboard products. More than 40,000 pallets, each measuring 2400mm by 1200mm, were dispatched to British Gypsum in July. These pallets are actively being integrated into processes at the Sherburn, East Leake, Kirkby Thore, and Robertsbridge plants.
The green pallets are employed to ship plasterboard to distribution centres, builders’ merchants, principal contractors, and home builders throughout the country. As part of an ongoing rollout, tens of thousands more pallets will follow in coming months. This development builds on the previous release of returnable bagged plaster pallets earlier in the year.
In a collaborative effort with its partner, Scott Pallets, Pallet Loop has issued approximately 100,000 standard construction pallets to British Gypsum within a span of three months. The return of these pallets is incentivised with a cash deposit offer of up to £4 per pallet, prompting businesses to not discard but return them. Pallet Loop’s head of operations, Steve Ottaway, noted the increase in returned pallets as companies sign up for the programme.
Ottaway expressed excitement regarding the momentum of this initiative, commenting on the rising number of pallets being cycled back into the system. Businesses are urged to stack and return the green Loop pallets instead of disposing of them, as this effort aims to promote pallet circularity. The process not only influences carbon emissions but also reduces timber usage and waste within the construction sector.
Looking ahead, the Pallet Loop estimates that the widespread adoption of these reusable pallets could provide substantial benefits over the next five years. These include a reduction in pallet waste disposal costs by £198 million, a decrease in wood waste by 421,000 tonnes, a reduction of 568,000 cubic metres in single-use timber needs, repurposing of 2.03 million trees for long-term carbon storage, and cutting carbon emissions by 36,000 tonnes within the construction industry.
The adoption of green pallets by British Gypsum marks a pivotal advance in promoting environmental responsibility within the construction industry.
