Madison County Wood Products (“MCWP”) takes pride in its continuous respect for nature. We believe our world is a miraculous creation of God's own hands. Sound forest stewardship is thus an ongoing moral obligation. Because we value the opportunity Earth Day presents to advance the sustainability movement, we created this guide to raise awareness for how our customers, vendors, and business partners in the wood product and pallet industry can “go green.”
Know the Facts
While it may come as a surprise to some, the wood pallet and packaging industry significantly benefits the environment. Tom Martin, President & CEO of the American Forest Foundation, notes that businesses like ours contribute to healthy forests by creating a thriving market for the small diameter materials that must be removed from woodlands to mitigate the risks of uncontrolled wild fires, invasive insect infestations, and crippling outbreaks of disease. Indeed, without abundant, healthy trees, our industry would rapidly collapse. This is why MCWP is committed to always using the whole log. By converting expired pallets into landscape mulch, pine dust, and paper-grade chips, we reduce waste and ensure cyclical reforestation.
Whether you are a builder looking to move lumber to your newest home site or a pharmaceutical supply chain manager seeking ways to efficiently distribute COVID vaccines, you are reading this guide out of a desire to minimize your business operation’s impact on the environment. We applaud your intentions and can unequivocally state that the use of wood pallets is the most environmentally friendly way to transport goods. Unlike plastics, wood pallets are renewable, sustainable, biodegradable, and easily recyclable. Nearly two billion pallets are used each day in the United States alone. With improved quality and more efficient recycling, the average life cycle of a pallet has extended to the point that U.S. forests are now double the size they were in 1953.
Evaluate Your Supplier
When buying an environmentally friendly wood pallet or product, always consider the supplier. A respectable company will be committed to sustainability and will strive to meet its needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. Madison County Wood Products is a global sustainability partner. When you purchase your pallets and wood products from us, rest assured that your materials meet the standard that is most favorable to all.
Lead by Example & Spread the Word
Besides your commitment to include eco-friendly materials and suppliers in your supply chain, you can help build environmental awareness by telling others about what you're doing and why. Informing customers, employees, family, and friends about green consumerism may inspire them to pursue it too. Changing the world for the better is best done together. By choosing eco-friendly pallets for your shipping needs, you will make an impactful contribution to the collective mission!
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About the Author:
Paul Gaines is Vice President of Operations and a 2nd generation co-owner at Madison County Wood Products. Following his Father and Grandfather, Gaines leverages 22 years of wood product manufacturing experience to improve operational processes amid everchanging technological advances, keeping Madison County Wood Products the most efficient and sustainable wood products supplier in the industry. A genuine people-person, Gaines enjoys leading employees and customers to success.
Madison County Wood Products Inc. is a vertically integrated company specializing in land and timber management, logging, sawmilling, and pallet manufacturing. With a focus on environmental impact, we take a zero-waste approach while providing customers with quality products, competitive prices, and on-time deliveries.