At Performance Pallet, we know that pallets are the backbone of the supply chain—but their value extends far beyond a single shipment. In Wisconsin, where state landfill restrictions prohibit the disposal of wood materials, pallet sustainability is more than a goal—it’s a necessity. Understanding the pallet lifecycle helps us unlock greater efficiency, reduce waste, and align with local and national environmental standards. From sustainable forestry to wood fiber recovery, every stage in a pallet’s journey matters—and we’re proud to guide that journey with purpose.
Here’s how we give every pallet a complete lifecycle, ensuring it lives multiple lives through repair, reuse, and recycling.
Sustainable Forestry & Cutting Initiatives
The pallet lifecycle begins in responsibly managed forests. We source all of our lumber from SFI-certified loggers who practice sustainable forestry. These certified partners harvest timber using methods that protect biodiversity, support regeneration, and promote long-term forest health.
At our facilities, we further reduce waste through optimized cutting initiatives. Every log is measured, cut, and processed with precision, allowing us to maximize yield and minimize offcuts. Our lumber teams take pride in transforming raw logs into high-quality components for new pallets, with sustainability in mind from the very first cut. This early investment in pallet sustainability ensures that every board serves a purpose, right from the first cut.
New Product Manufacturing
Once processed, the lumber enters our production phase, where it’s used to build new pallets and crates. At Performance Pallet, we design and manufacture both custom and standard-size wood pallets using top-tier materials and equipment.
This stage ensures that every pallet we create is built for durability, safety, and long-term performance. We work closely with our customers to provide products that meet their exact needs—whether it’s for food-grade shipments, export requirements, or heavy machinery.
By producing high-quality new pallets, we reduce the frequency of replacements and support long-term pallet sustainability.
Return of Damaged Pallets & Other Recyclables
Unlike many suppliers, we don’t stop once a pallet leaves our facility. We actively retrieve used and damaged pallets, along with other recyclable materials like stretch film, wooden crates, and cardboard. This reverse logistics model closes the loop by keeping valuable materials out of landfills and back in circulation.
Customers benefit from a cleaner workspace, reduced disposal costs, and an all-in-one vendor solution. Our trailers often deliver new pallets and haul away used ones in the same trip. As a certified EPA SmartWay partner since 2009, Performance Pallet actively reduces transportation-related emissions—helping build a greener supply chain. This step reinforces pallet sustainability by extending the usable life of materials and optimizing transportation efficiency.
Reconditioned & Remanufactured Pallets
Back at our facility, returned pallets are carefully sorted. Those that are structurally sound are reconditioned—repaired using salvaged boards and stringers from other pallets. Each reconditioned pallet is then inspected and prepped for reuse, extending its role in the pallet lifecycle.
If a pallet is beyond repair, we move to remanufacturing. By combining usable components with new lumber, we produce remanufactured pallets that meet the same quality standards as new ones, but with a lower environmental impact.
These processes are cornerstones of pallet sustainability, helping reduce demand for virgin lumber while keeping materials in active use.
Wood Fiber Materials
Even when a pallet has truly reached the end of its useful life, its value remains. Our commitment to zero-waste manufacturing means we use every part of the log that enters our facility. We process unusable wood into wood fiber materials such as organic livestock bedding, or biomass fuel. A significant portion is repurposed into wood mulch, which supports landscaping and erosion control while keeping waste out of landfills. This final step ensures that nothing goes to waste.
By converting wood scraps into useful by-products, we support farms, landscaping companies, and alternative energy initiatives. This full-circle approach highlights our dedication to pallet sustainability by turning discarded materials into valuable resources.
Why the Pallet Lifecycle Matters
The pallet lifecycle reflects more than just the path of a product—it tells the story of how Performance Pallet works to reduce waste, extend product life, and contribute to a circular economy.
Through each stage—cutting, building, collecting, repairing, remanufacturing, and repurposing—we create solutions that benefit our customers and the environment. According to a Virginia Tech study, up to 95% of wood pallets in the U.S. are now recycled or recovered—an encouraging shift from the 1990s, when pallets made up nearly 3% of landfill waste. This data supports our approach and proves that pallet sustainability is not only achievable—it’s already making an impact.
Ready to work with a pallet partner who values sustainability as much as performance?
Partner with Performance Pallet and take the next step in building a smarter, more responsible supply chain. Request a Quote today and let’s put your pallets to work for the long haul.