From Waste to Value: The Upcycling Revolution

In the wooden pallet industry, we are constantly seeking new ways to minimize waste, maximize resource efficiency, and promote sustainability. Upcycling – the process of transforming waste materials or discarded products into new, higher-value items – offers a unique opportunity to achieve these goals in the context of wood packaging materials.

In this Nature’s Packaging blog post, we’ll delve into the concept of upcycling, explore various upcycling applications for wood packaging materials, and discuss the environmental and economic benefits of this innovative approach.

The Upcycling Revolution: Transforming Wood Packaging Waste

Upcycling is gaining momentum as an innovative, sustainable solution for repurposing wood packaging materials that have reached the end of their useful life.

By utilizing creativity and craftsmanship, wood packaging waste can be converted into new products with added value, extending the life of the material and reducing the need for using new resources. Some inspiring upcycling applications for wood packaging materials include:

  • Furniture and Home Decor: Discarded wooden pallets, crates, and other wood packaging materials can be transformed into stylish furniture pieces and home decor items, such as tables, chairs, bookshelves, or wall art. This approach not only gives a second life to the wood but also adds aesthetic appeal and functionality to the end product.

 

  • Garden and Landscaping Elements: Wood packaging materials can be repurposed into attractive garden features, such as planters, raised garden beds, or fencing. This application not only enhances outdoor spaces but also promotes biodiversity and urban greening.

  • Art and Sculpture: Artists and designers can use wood packaging waste as a medium for creating unique artworks and sculptures, showcasing the beauty and versatility of the material while raising awareness about sustainability.

  • Building and Construction: Upcycled wood packaging materials can be used as structural or decorative elements in building and construction projects, contributing to a circular economy approach in the built environment.

The Benefits of Upcycling Wood Packaging Materials

The upcycling of wood packaging materials offers numerous environmental and economic advantages:

  • Waste Reduction: Upcycling extends the life of wood packaging materials, reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills and the demand for virgin resources. This approach contributes to a more circular economy, where waste is minimized, and resources are kept in use for as long as possible.
  • Energy and Emissions Savings: By repurposing wood packaging waste instead of manufacturing products from new materials, upcycling can lead to significant energy and emissions savings. This reduces the environmental footprint of the wood packaging industry and helps combat climate change.
  • Economic Opportunities: Upcycling opens up new markets and business opportunities for pallet companies, as consumers increasingly seek sustainable, unique, and locally produced products. By capitalizing on this growing demand, companies can generate additional revenue streams and boost their competitive advantage.
  • Enhanced Brand Image: Companies that embrace upcycling demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and innovation, which can enhance their brand image and reputation among customers, stakeholders, and the broader public.

Embracing Upcycling for a More Sustainable Wood Packaging Industry

Our industry has a crucial role to play in fostering a more sustainable future for the wood packaging. By embracing the upcycling revolution and finding innovative ways to repurpose wood packaging waste, we can reduce our environmental impact, unlock new economic opportunities, and lead the way towards a more circular and sustainable economy. Let’s harness the power of upcycling to create value, inspire change, and build a greener future for our industry and our planet.

What Is a Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO)?

As sustainability has become increasingly important in the business world, more and more companies are hiring a Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) to oversee their sustainability efforts.

The job duties of a CSO vary depending on the company and industry, but in general, a CSO is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to ensure that the company operates in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner.

This Nature’s Packaging post will explore the job duties of a CSO, why a company would hire one, and provide real-life examples of CSOs that work for companies in the forest products industry.

Job Duties of a CSO

The job duties of a CSO typically include developing and implementing sustainability strategies, monitoring the company’s environmental and social performance, engaging with stakeholders, managing sustainability-related risks and opportunities, and communicating the company’s sustainability efforts to internal and external audiences. A CSO may be responsible for:

  1. Developing and implementing sustainability strategies: The CSO is responsible for developing a sustainability strategy that aligns with the company’s overall business strategy. This may involve setting sustainability targets, identifying sustainability risks and opportunities, and developing plans to reduce the company’s environmental and social impact.
  2. Monitoring environmental and social performance: The CSO is responsible for monitoring the company’s environmental and social performance, including tracking greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, waste generation, and social impact metrics. This involves working with other departments within the company to gather data and analyze performance.
  3. Engaging with stakeholders: The CSO is responsible for engaging with stakeholders, including investors, customers, suppliers, and local communities. This may involve holding meetings or consultations to gather feedback on the company’s sustainability efforts and collaborating with stakeholders to develop sustainability initiatives.
  4. Managing sustainability-related risks and opportunities: The CSO is responsible for identifying sustainability-related risks and opportunities and developing strategies to manage them. This may involve working with other departments within the company to develop risk management plans and conducting sustainability assessments of suppliers and partners.
  5. Communicating sustainability efforts: The CSO is responsible for communicating the company’s sustainability efforts to internal and external audiences. This may involve developing sustainability reports, presenting sustainability data to investors and other stakeholders, and engaging with the media to promote the company’s sustainability initiatives.

Why Hire a Chief Sustainability Officer?

Companies hire CSOs for several reasons. First, a CSO can help a company improve its sustainability performance, reduce its environmental impact, and enhance its reputation with customers and investors.

Second, a CSO can help a company identify and manage sustainability-related risks and opportunities, which can lead to cost savings and increased efficiency.

Finally, a CSO can help a company stay ahead of evolving sustainability regulations and standards, ensuring that the company is compliant with all relevant regulations.

Examples of a Chief Sustainability Officer

Real-life examples of CSO’s in the forest products industry include:

  • Sophie Beckham-Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, International Paper: International Paper is one of the world’s leading producers of renewable fiber-based packaging, pulp, and paper. Sophie Beckham is responsible for leading International Paper’s sustainability efforts, including setting targets to reduce the company’s greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and waste generation.
  • Deborah Dull-Principal and Founder, Circular Supply Chain Network: Deborah Dull is a sustainability consultant who works with companies in the forest products industry to develop circular supply chain strategies that reduce waste and improve efficiency. She has worked with companies such as Kimberly-Clark and Procter & Gamble to develop innovative sustainability initiatives.
  • Emilio Tenuta-Vice President of Corporate Sustainability, Ecolab: Ecolab provides water, hygiene, and energy technologies and services to customers in a variety of industries, including the forest products industry. Emilio Tenuta is responsible for leading Ecolab’s sustainability efforts, including developing and implementing sustainability strategies that align with the company’s business objectives and customer needs.

The role of a Chief Sustainability Officer is becoming increasingly important in today’s business world as companies strive to improve their sustainability performance and reduce their environmental impact.

The Recyclable Wood Pallet: Reducing Environmental Impact

In this Nature’s Packaging blog post, we review the importance of recycling and reducing the environmental impact of our actions. We’ll be discussing the benefits of wood pallets as a recyclable and biodegradable material, and how it compares to other materials like plastic and metal alternatives.

Let’s begin with the recycling of wood pallets. Wood pallets are capable of being recycled throughout their functional life as a piece of material handling equipment. If a piece of a pallet is damaged during transport, once the pallet is returned for collection the damaged piece(s) can easily be removed and replaced. The pallet can then be re-used in the supply chain for transporting goods.

At the end of their functional life, a pallet is broken down into its component wood pieces and then recycled and repurposed into other wood products. These products include everything from mulch to animal bedding, to fuel, and even in some cases furniture. These repurposed products mean that the amount of wood waste that ends up in a landfill is reduced and this conserves resources.

Another advantage of wood pallets is that they are biodegradable. This means that, over time, the wood will break down naturally in the environment. Wood does not take hundreds of years to decompose. This also reduces the environmental impact of the pallets at the end of their useful life.

Now, let’s do a quick comparison of wood pallets to plastic and metal pallet alternatives. Plastic pallets can be a useful shipping platform and are sometimes the right choice for a given supply chain operation.

However, plastic pallets are not biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to decompose. Plastic pallets also require large amounts of fossil fuels to produce. And while they can be recycled, the processes used to recycle plastic pallets also utilize fossil fuels and thus add to carbon emissions.

In some supply chains, metal pallets are a preferred choice. Very often they are found in pharmaceutical supply chains that are closed loop, which means that the pallet will stay within a facility or only be used to transport materials from one location to another within a company supply chain.

In these situations, they are strictly controlled and inventoried. They are built to be extremely durable and designed to last for a long time. This makes them quite expensive to manufacture and metal pallets are not a good solution for widespread use in a supply chain. Also, they are not biodegradable and, like plastic pallets, require large amounts of energy to produce, leading to a high carbon footprint.

In contrast, wood is a renewable resource and can be regrown and replenished. Wood pallets are also relatively inexpensive compared to plastic or metal alternatives. And, wood pallets are a recyclable and biodegradable material that reduces the environmental impact of the pallets at the end of their useful life.

Wood pallets are a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to plastic and metal pallets. By choosing wood pallets, companies can help reduce the environmental impact of their supply chain operations and contribute to making a positive choice for a more sustainable future.

Wood Is a Sustainable Choice for Packaging and Shipping Materials

Welcome Nature’s Packaging readers, in this blog post we’re going to be talking about the importance of sustainability in our world today and how wood plays a crucial role in it. We’ll be reviewing the benefits of wood as a renewable resource, and why it’s a great choice for packaging and shipping materials.

Trees are one of the most important resources in the world, providing countless benefits to people and the environment. Not only do trees provide oxygen and help to regulate climate change, but they can also be harvested as a renewable resource.

Trees have a wide range of uses for humans, from providing food and fuel to being used in construction and packaging among other things. Furthermore, trees are capable of regenerating themselves when properly managed, making them an excellent resource that is both sustainable and environmentally friendly.

So, what is a renewable resource? Well, a renewable resource is a resource that can be replenished or regenerated over time. Examples of renewable resources that are being utilized today include solar energy, wind energy, and, of course, wood.

One of the main advantages of wood as a renewable resource is that it can be replanted and regrown. In fact, in the United States alone, more than 1.9 billion trees are replanted every year. Trees are a renewable resource because they can be harvested and then replanted, making it a sustainable choice for packaging and shipping materials.

Unlike non-renewable resources like fossil fuels, wood is not a finite resource. It is a sustainable choice for packaging and shipping materials because it can be replenished, and when managed responsibly it can be re-used, and ultimately recycled.

Another advantage of wood as a sustainable choice for packaging and shipping materials is that wood is biodegradable. This means that it can break down naturally in the environment, unlike plastic or metal alternatives which can take hundreds of years to decompose.

Biodegradability is defined as the process of organic matter breaking down over time, until it is completely decomposed by microorganisms in its environment. The length of time for biodegradation of wood depends on several factors like the species of the wood, whether the material is left whole, or turned into chips by mulching.

Wood is also a cost-effective choice for packaging and shipping materials. Its cost-effectiveness, durability, and availability make it a popular choice among businesses and consumers alike.

As a natural material, wood has been used in packaging since ancient times due to its ability to protect goods during transportation. In the modern age, wood has been adapted to meet changing needs of consumers and businesses while remaining cost-effective, making it the ideal choice for supply chain and warehouse operations.

Wood is a renewable resource that can be replanted and regrown, making it a sustainable choice for packaging and shipping materials. It is biodegradable, cost-effective, and widely available. By choosing wood as a packaging and shipping material, companies can help reduce the environmental impact of supply chain operations and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Why Wood Pallets are the Best Choice for Supply Chain Sustainability

Wood pallets are the modern equivalent of the Swiss army knife in supply chain operations. Pallets function as protection, transportation, and storage unit for countless numbers of items that ship all over the world, every day. Their versatility in design and ease of construction is unmatched by any other piece of material handling equipment in the daily operations of logistics and shipping.

Beyond their functional ability, wood pallets are seen as a best choice for companies when they want to achieve sustainability measures in their supply chains. Wood pallets have a number of key factors that make them the best choice in this regard.

In this Nature’s Packaging series over the next few weeks, we’ll dive deeper and take a focused look at what makes the wood pallet such a great choice when it comes to sustainability goals.

Below are the 5 key factors that will be discussed in the upcoming blog posts here in NP. Feel free to incorporate these into your messaging and help your customers understand why wood pallets are the best choice to help them achieve their supply chain sustainability goals.

  1. Renewable resource: Wood is a renewable resource, meaning it can be replanted and regrown, making it a sustainable choice for packaging and shipping materials.
  2. Recyclable and biodegradable: Wood pallets can be recycled or broken down naturally, unlike plastic or metal alternatives. This reduces the environmental impact of the pallets at the end of their useful life.
  3. Durable and reusable: Wood pallets are durable and can be used multiple times, reducing the need for constant replacement, and minimizing waste.
  4. Cost-effective: Wood pallets are often less expensive than other materials, making them a cost-effective choice for businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact.
  5. Widely available: Wood pallets are widely available, making them easy to source and implement in supply chain operations.

Wood pallets offer a sustainable, cost-effective, and widely available solution for businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact and achieve their supply chain sustainability goals. Join us next week for a look at wood as a renewable resource. See you there.

The Wood Pallet Specification-A Quick Review

A wood pallet specification is a document that outlines the design, construction, and performance requirements for wooden pallets used in the transportation and storage of goods.

These specifications are critical for ensuring that pallets meet the necessary safety and performance standards, as well as facilitating efficient logistics and supply chain operations.

What are the key elements of a wood pallet specification?

  • The size and weight of the pallet, including both overall dimensions and the size of individual components such as deck boards and stringers.
  • The type of wood used in the construction of the pallet, including both the species and grade of wood.
  • The type of fasteners used to assemble the pallet, including both the size and material of the fasteners.
  • The load-bearing capacity of the pallet, including both the maximum weight and volume that the pallet can safely support.
  • The type of forklift and handling equipment that the pallet is designed for, as well as any special handling or storage requirements.

The type of protection required for the pallet, for example if it needs to be heat treated for export outside the country.

In addition to outlining these technical requirements, a wood pallet specification should also provide guidance on quality control, testing and inspection procedures, and any relevant safety and regulatory standards.

Why is a pallet specification useful for both the customer and supplier?

  1. It provides a clear and consistent set of standards for the design and construction of wooden pallets, which can improve safety and performance.
  2. It allows manufacturers and suppliers to understand and meet the specific needs of their customers. This can lead to more efficient logistics and supply chain operations.
  3. It also facilitates better communication between different parties involved in the supply chain including warehouse operators, transportation providers, and end-users.

The responsibility for creating a wood pallet specification typically falls on the manufacturer or supplier of the pallets. This can be done individually or collectively with industry associations, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders.

A wood pallet specification should be updated regularly, as industry standards and regulations change over time, as well as keeping up with the new technology and advancements in the field. It is also important to consider updating it in response to any changes in customer or industry needs.

Wood pallet specifications are critical for ensuring the safety and performance of wooden pallets used in transportation and storage. They should include key elements such as size and weight, type of wood, fasteners, load-bearing capacity, handling equipment, and protection requirements. The manufacturer or supplier should create these specifications and update them regularly to ensure they meet the latest standards and customer needs.

Sustainable Forest Management and Wood Pallets

The wooden pallet and container industry has embraced sustainability as both a core practice within the operating processes of the industry, and as a key value add to our customers in helping them achieve their own sustainability goals in their supply chain.

As more and more companies in this industry utilize data to provide insight and tell a story about their commitment to sustainable practices; the knowledge, data, and practices have a trickle-down effect from the largest companies in the industry to the small mom and pop pallet yards that are the backbone of the industry.

As a whole, we realize that the benefits of sustainability go beyond merely integrating into our customer’s goals, data, and marketing. There is real potential to be a leading light in the reduction of emissions and the science of carbon sequestration.

These topics can have real financial consequences for our bottom lines that will have a profound effect on our industry. And rest assured, if it becomes clear that our business processes are fully in line with the economic benefits of carbon capture and carbon credits, then our industry will be transformed by investments from some very large companies.

The industry is now witnessing the effects of attention from investment groups that realized how critical the pallet industry is to the supply chain and have begun consolidating assets to gain an edge.

But let’s take a step away from industry affairs for a moment and focus on another aspect of sustainability and how it can affect our industry. Most of the time, we are focused on the “downstream” effect of our sustainable practices and the value added by them. In this particular Nature’s Packaging post, we want to look “upstream” at sustainable practices in a critical area of the forest and forest products realm that adds value to our industry.

Sustainable forest management has been covered by Nature’s Packaging in previous posts, so we won’t delve into it as it benefits a forest itself. In this NP post, we want to summarize how sustainable forest management benefits the wood pallet industry in particular.

As we move forward globally with initiatives designed to save and manage forest from a more ecological and holistic perspective, the ability to source raw materials will change. With that change will come a change in our core products, the wood pallet and container, as well. As an industry, we must be ready for changes in policy and regulation that will inevitably be a part of that process.

The benefits of sustainable forest management must be weighed against the ability for our industry to do business in a meaningful way and remain profitable.

To that end, let’s review some of the ways sustainable forest management benefits the wood pallet industry:

  1. Ensures a steady supply of wood:  Sustainable forest management practices aim to maintain or increase the health and productivity of forest ecosystems over the long term. This helps to ensure that there is a continuous supply of wood available for the wood pallet industry.
  2. Reduces costs:  Sustainably managed forests are typically more efficient and cost-effective to log than forests that are not managed sustainably. For example, selective logging practices, which involve removing only certain trees from a forest rather than clear-cutting the entire area, can help to reduce costs and minimize waste.
  3. Enhances the reputation of the industry:  Sustainably managed forests are generally seen as more environmentally friendly, and the wood pallet industry can benefit from this positive reputation. Using sustainably sourced wood can help to attract customers who are concerned about the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions.
  4. Protects against future risks:  Climate change and other environmental pressures pose significant risks to the wood pallet industry. Sustainably managed forests are more resilient to these risks, as they are better able to adapt to changing conditions and continue to provide a reliable source of wood.

These are succinct points that offer a broad perspective to you as a reader. Essentially, they address supply, costs, marketing, and the environment as it relates to the pallet industry. It is your challenge to contemplate the implications of each of these points and decide where (and when) your company, and the industry, need to focus.

Sustainable forest management offers a range of benefits for the wood pallet industry, how will you add those benefits and create value for your business and the industry?

The Philosophy of the Wood Pallet

Where would the world be without pallets? When it comes to pallet philosophy this is one of the key questions that we ask ourselves as we sit cross-legged on a small stack of pallets.

Not really, but it’s a great image to contemplate if you’ve met some of us.

The reality is that pallets have revolutionized the way we do commerce. The unit load and the pallet are the cellular organism of the system we call the supply chain and our role as an industry is to provide essential services to our customers.

Even a pandemic couldn’t stop the pallet industry from doing the important work of keeping the supply chain running in spite of such a black swan event.

When companies are looking for a sustainable solution that fits their business processes, the wood pallet is a key piece of the puzzle.

There are several reasons why wood pallets are often the preferred choice for shipping products through the supply chain:

  1. Durability: Wood pallets are durable and long lasting. This makes them a good choice for shipping heavy or bulky items that need support.
  2. Strength: Wood pallets are strong and able to support significant weights, making them suitable for a wide range of shipping needs.
  3. Versatility: Wood pallets are versatile and can be used for a variety of shipping applications, including air, sea, and ground transportation.
  4. Recyclability: Wood pallets are manufactured from renewable resources and can be recycled or repurposed when they reach the end of their useful life.
  5. Cost-effective: Wood pallets are generally more cost-effective than other materials, particularly when they are used for longer periods of time.
  6. Widely available: Wood pallets are widely available and easy to source, making them a convenient choice for many supply chain operations.
  7. Customization: Wood pallets can be easily customized to meet specific shipping needs, such as size, weight, or handling requirements.

Overall, wood pallets offer a combination of durability, strength, versatility, and cost-effectiveness that make them a popular choice for shipping products through the supply chain.

The wooden pallet and container industry is ready to step into the light as a resource for sustainable solutions. The industry is committed to being a part of the solution to climate change issues and having a positive impact on the environment. Our business processes are designed with the principles of reduce, re-use, and recycle as part of their daily operations.

Technology is changing the way the supply chain operates and what new insights are available. Pallets are one of the few platforms that travel from origin to destination in the chain, and are being tapped in new ways for their value through data, analytics, and novel KPI’s.

Our industry loves to build and experiment, and we are ready to integrate new technologies and test them in the supply chain.

2023 is going to be a great year for our industry and we at Nature’s Packaging truly believe that wood can change the world, one pallet at a time.

Wood pellet fuel

Wood Pellet Fuel – A Nature’s Packaging Review

Wood pellet fuel is a sustainable and renewable source of energy that has become increasingly popular in recent years. This biomass based fuel can be manufactured from many different types of forest products including compressed sawdust, wood chips, and other forms of organic matter.

Wood pellets are an alternative fuel source to traditional fossil fuels. Fossil fuels, like oil or coal, can require more work to be extracted from the ground. The pellets are also much easier to store than conventional sources due to their uniform shape and size, which allows them to be transported with greater ease. Additionally, wood pellets have a higher heat output than other bio-fuels, allowing for improved efficiency in burning.

Benefits of Wood Pellet Fuel

As an alternative energy source to other fuel types, wood pellets can be used to power boilers, furnaces, and stoves for both commercial and residential applications.

One major benefit of using wood pellet fuel is its high energy efficiency. Because pellets are manufactured as a denser form of biomass, they have a higher heat output than other current bio-based fuels and they can burn longer than other bio-fuel sources like wood chips.

This makes them ideal for providing long-term heating solutions in colder climates where temperatures drop below freezing regularly. The low moisture content also means they produce less smoke.

The Wood Pellet Production Process

The production process for wood pellets occurs in several stages:

  • harvesting
  • drying
  • grinding
  • compressing
  • packaging.

Harvesting begins with the gathering of wood residue and waste such as slash, sawdust or shavings from lumber mills, and recycled wood waste from pallets. This material is then dried to reduce moisture content before being ground into very small particles. After the particles are crushed and screened for size consistency, they are then compressed under high pressure into cylindrical shapes known as pellets which can easily be transported and stored without taking up too much space.

Types of Wood Pellets

There are several different types of wood pellets available on the market today, each with its own unique properties that make it ideal for a variety of applications.

A very common type are hardwood pellets, which are made from hardwood tree species such as oak and maple. These pellets offer more energy efficiency due to their high density and low moisture content.

Softwood pellets are also available, which are typically composed of softer tree species like pine or spruce. While they don’t burn quite as hot as hardwood pellets, they’re generally more affordable and better suited for use in residential settings.

Pallet waste residue is also capable of being converted into wood pellet fuel and a number of pallet businesses have set up operations to do just that.

Cost Considerations

Cost considerations are an important factor when it comes to deciding whether or not to switch to wood pellet fuel. Wood pellet fuel can offer many advantages, including cleaner burning and even cost savings over time. However, it is important to consider the initial costs associated with switching over before making the transition.

The first cost consideration is purchasing the pellets themselves. Industrial size bagging and sale of pellets is usually calculated by the ton and often falls between $250-350 per ton and depends heavily on the region where they are produced and the seasonality.

When considering wood pellets for home use, a pellet stove or insert for heating must be purchased upfront; these appliances range in price from several hundred dollars up depending on quality and size. Installation fees may also apply if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself.

The wood pellet bags themselves, which are most likely available in your local home store, can cost anywhere from $15-$30 per 40lbs bag, again depending on the region where they are produced and the seasonal weather.

Renewable Energy and Environmental Impact

Wood pellet fuel is becoming an increasingly popular form of renewable energy source, as it is reliable, clean-burning, and cost-effective. The production of wood pellets requires less energy than other forms of bio-fuel to manufacture; however, pellet fuel does come with its own set of issues regarding its environmental impact.

Burning wood for heat releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which contributes to global warming; however, when compared with burning fossil fuels such as coal or oil, wood pellets can produce fewer emissions overall. This is dependent on the equipment used to burn the material, among other factors.

Wood pellet fuel has proven to be an effective, clean-burning, and reliable source of renewable energy. With a wide range of advantages, such as being cost efficient, easier to transport and store than other fuels, it’s no wonder why the demand for wood pellet fuel is increasing. There are many factors that come into play when considering whether or not to use wood pellet fuel; however, its versatility makes it an attractive option for some businesses and homeowners.

 

The Forests of Gabon

Forest products play a crucial role in many countries and their available resources. In the African nation of Gabon, forest products are pointing the way forward in a country that finds itself winding down its oil production and needing to find alternate sources of investment and resources.

NP readers know that we at Nature’s Packaging support sustainably sourced wood from sustainably managed forests. Wood is a multifaceted medium that is utilized in everything from buildings (mass timber), to furniture, to the wooden pallet and crate.

The government of this small African nation understand that their forests are an opportunity to open new markets and create jobs for its citizens.

Join Nature’s Packaging as we take look how the country is working to balance its need for new revenue and to sustainably manage its abundant forest land.

The Eden of Africa

Known as the “Eden of Africa”, the nation of Gabon is rich with forestland (it covers about 90% of the country) and has one of the largest elephant herds in the world.  For decades though, it has relied on its oil production to fuel the economy. The oil producing sector has shielded the country’s economy from the larger fluctuations in Africa’s overall economic woes at various times in history.

However, as their calculated oil reserves begin to dwindle the government has turned to its forests to make the transition from oil as its main economic driver to a diversity of forest products. The challenge is to balance the need to extract these resources with the preservation of its precious forests and the climate change conditions happening around the world.

To maintain that balance, Gabonese officials have implemented strict rules regarding logging that keeps the majority trees standing and developing into old-growth timber. In fact, those strict rules limit logging to two trees per hectare every 25 years. Additionally, to combat illegal logging they have developed a program to track logs via bar code markings.

In the past, Gabon exported the majority of its raw timber product to other countries for them to finish. That has changed through government legislation that forbid selling the raw materials directly to other countries (France was a big customer). Now, the government is working to create industrial economic zones that provide tax breaks and other incentives to have businesses build factories and facilities that provide finished forest products right on their own. These include:

  • Furniture
  • Plywood products
  • Veneers from exotic tree species

To assess the interior forestland and track toward sustainable management of such a large area, Gabon officials built a satellite research station to track and create a database of the areas most degraded from industrial activity. This has led directly to a decline in illegal logging and deforestation overall. Some of the areas that were degraded previously were then re-purposed to more industrial agriculture services like palm oil.

This conservation and active sustainable management has led to a boom in the elephant population as well. In the 1990’s, the elephant population in Gabon numbered around 60,000. Now the population has grown to over 95,000. It is said that elephants are a sign of a thriving forest and certainly the elephants in Gabon are thriving.

Gabon and Forest Products

Gabon’s booming veneer business has made it the largest producer of exotic veneers in Africa. Their rich resource of exotic woods has made them a much sought after medium for crafting fine furniture and wood materials. And they are actively developing plywood manufacturing sectors through the grant of special economic zones that are located strategically close to resources and populations in need of employment.

The timber industry in Gabon is responsible for more than 30,000 jobs and this number is projected to increase as workers in the oil and gas sectors transition to forest based jobs. That 30,000 already represents about 7% of their total available workforce.

Gabon and Carbon

As the second largest reservoir of carbon sequestered through forestland (the Amazon is the largest), the burgeoning worldwide carbon credit market has created new opportunities for Gabon to utilize the natural carbon sequestration of its forest for profit in the CC market. It has sought and received carbon offset certifications from independent auditors.

Though this has not come without controversy as Gabonese officials chose to re-evaluate their credit calculation method and have since quadrupled their available carbon credits into the tens of millions of dollars. The concern is the market being flooded with these credits and thus driving down prices overall and the veracity of the credits themselves. Government officials have pointed to the initiative as a model for using new markets to fund the conservation of their forestland.

While Gabon’s story around forest products as a resource continues to play out over time. The model that they have provided to other African nations has prompted other to develop the same type of resources where available. However, the challenge becomes whether or not these other nations will adhere to principles of sustainable management of forestland and the need for economic opportunity. Time will tell.

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