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 lived out in the company. For us, sustainable action means using our resources more efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner. Reuse and recycling are our top priorities. Damaged pallets are repaired and put back into use, rejected goods and residual materials are recycled and reprocessed as wood chips.

This short video explains how the Euro pallet repair process works:

EUR pallets are used in a reusable system and thus conserve our resources. As part of our service offering, we take back defective pallets and repair them. They are sorted and classified according to quality in our semi-automatic system, and then pallets in need of repair are mended according to EPAL or UIC criteria. After the repair, they are ready for use again and once more exhibit their usual technical properties.

When does a pallet need to be exchanged and repaired?

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

A board is missing
A block is missing or split such that more than one nail shank is visible
A bottom or top board is chipped so that more than one nail shank is visible
Twisted blocks must not protrude more than 10mm
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 shop. We are EPAL & UIC licensed – Unannounced regular quality controls guarantee standard-compliant repair according to the guidelines of our licensors.

Sustainable cycle

Our repaired Euro pallets are 100% PEFC certified; the materials used for this come from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources. We work with state-of-the-art robotic systems, thus ensuring the impeccable quality of our products. Each pallet is tested and inspected multiple times at various stations. Even the power supply for the repair systems is provided by our own photovoltaic system and is therefore operated with renewable energy. An important aspect for the environment and the CO2 footprint!

Pallets that can no longer be repaired, so-called "scrap pallets," are reprocessed by us as wood chips and are subsequently recycled thermally or as raw material. We see another way to extend the life cycle of pallets in "upcycling": we create modern and sustainable pallet furniture from discarded pallets, once again setting trends in terms of sustainability.

Facts: