Repair pallets are a plus for the environment

Sustainability and resource conservation - topics that the Wintergroup not only deals with intensively, but a philosophy that is also practiced in the company. For us, acting sustainably means using our resources efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner. Reuse and recycling are our top priority. Damaged pallets are repaired and reused, rejects and residual materials are recycled and reprocessed as wood chips.

This short video explains how the repair of Euro pallets works:

EUR pallets are used in a reusable system and thus conserve our resources. As part of our range of services, we take back defective pallets and repair them. They are sorted and classified according to quality in our semi-automatic system, after which pallets in need of repair are repaired in accordance with EPAL or UIC criteria. After the repair, they are ready for use again and have the usual technical properties.

When does a pallet need to be replaced and repaired?

If Euro pallets exhibit one or more of the following damages or defects, these pallets are no longer considered exchangeable and must be repaired in accordance with the applicable regulations. These damages or defects lead to the loss of usability:

One board missing
A block is missing or is split so that more than one nail shank is visible
A base or cover board is chipped so that more than one nail shank is visible
Twisted blocks must not protrude more than 10 mm
A board is broken crosswise or diagonally

The repair of EUR pallets to restore their usability may only be carried out by a licensed repair company. We are EPAL & UIC licensed - unannounced regular quality controls guarantee standard-compliant repairs in accordance with the guidelines of our licensors.

Sustainable cycle

Our repaired Euro pallets are 100% PEFC certified, the materials used come from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources. We work with state-of-the-art robot systems to guarantee the impeccable quality of our products. Each pallet is checked and inspected several times at various stations. Even the power supply for the repair facilities is provided by our own photovoltaic system and is therefore powered by renewable energies. An important aspect for the environment and the Co2 balance!

Pallets that are no longer repairable, so-called "scrap pallets", are reprocessed by us as wood chips and are then recycled thermally or materially. We see "upcycling" as another way of extending the life cycle of pallets: we create modern and sustainable pallet furniture from discarded pallets, thus setting new standards in terms of sustainability.

Facts: