Trees are at the heart of Millwood’s business. After all, pallets start their life as trees.
That said, trees are not typically cut down for the express purpose of manufacturing pallets. Pallets are usually made of the wood at the center of the tree that is not a high enough grade to be used for much else. After lumber is used for construction, furniture, flooring and other essential goods, pallets utilize the leftovers that would otherwise go to waste.
Of the 849 million wood pallets produced each year, 341 million are recycled, which is already a step in the right direction for waste reduction. Wood pallets can be repaired and reused multiple times, and once they reach the end of their life cycle, can be turned into mulch and other useful materials. Pallet boards that are still in good condition after the pallet is done being used can also be turned into creative craft projects.
Close to 95 percent of pallets are recycled and repurposed, and the few that do end up in landfills are often recovered and used as biodegradable material. Wood is our only 100 percent renewable, reusable and recyclable material. Amazingly, it takes next to no energy to create, since trees use abundant resources like the sun and carbon dioxide to grow on their own.
Another important fact to note is that cutting down trees does not necessarily equate to environmental harm. According to forestry experts, intentionally disturbing forests and allowing them to regenerate helps them grow back stronger and denser. When done strategically and intentionally under the guidance of foresters, tree harvesting helps forests by increasing the diversity of the ages and heights of the trees, which lets in more light and gives remaining trees more room and resources to grow.
In honor of the 150th Arbor Day, Millwood gifted 150 trees through the Arbor Day Foundation. Our trees will be planted in Superior National Forest to heal the nearly 27,000 acres of forest burned in the Greenwood Fire last summer. To learn more about the power and importance of trees or find ideas to celebrate Arbor Day, pay a visit to the Arbor Day Foundation website.
Thank you to the Arbor Day Foundation and sustainable foresters across North America and beyond who protect and care for one of our most precious natural resources.
