Policy statement
Purple Pear Pallets is committed to operating as a practical circular economy partner. We will manage, inspect, repair, refurbish and recover pallets, crates and timber so that useful materials remain in service for as long as reasonably practicable, while reducing waste, preventing pollution and improving the environmental performance of our operations and client services.
Purpose
This policy sets the environmental principles and operating commitments that guide Purple Pear Pallets. It supports responsible resource use, transparent measurement and continuous improvement across our workshop, transport, supply chain and client service activities.
Scope
This policy applies to all employees, contractors and activities under Purple Pear Pallets operational control. It covers pallet and crate management, inspection, repair and refurbishment; timber recovery and waste handling; purchasing; transport; energy and water use; environmental reporting; and engagement with clients and suppliers.
Environmental Commitments
Purple Pear Pallets will apply the following commitments when planning work and making operational decisions.
- Keep materials in circulation. Prioritise inspection, maintenance, repair, refurbishment and reuse before replacement or disposal.
- Recover timber responsibly. Separate reusable timber for future repairs and direct material that cannot be safely reused to an appropriate recovery pathway, including mulching where suitable.
- Reduce waste at its source. Plan cutting, storage, handling and purchasing to reduce offcuts, avoid damage and prevent unnecessary consumption.
- Use resources efficiently. Monitor and seek practical reductions in electricity, fuel, water, packaging and other operating inputs.
- Prevent pollution. Store and handle fuels, oils, coatings, adhesives and other materials to minimise spills, emissions, litter, noise and harm to land or water.
- Support lower carbon outcomes. Extend asset life, consolidate transport where practical and measure avoided emissions using a consistent and documented methodology.
- Purchase responsibly. Consider durability, repairability, recycled content, certified or responsibly sourced timber, supplier practices and whole of life value when selecting goods and services.
- Comply and improve. Meet applicable environmental legal, regulatory, contractual and site requirements and continually improve relevant controls and performance.
Operational Practices
Our day to day practices will reflect the waste hierarchy and the environmental risks of the work being performed. We will:
assess pallets and crates for continued use, repair or refurbishment before declaring them unserviceable;
recover sound components from written off items where their condition and intended use allow safe reuse;
segregate timber and other materials to protect their recovery value and prevent contamination;
use approved waste and recycling service providers and retain relevant collection or disposal records;
maintain equipment and vehicles to support efficient, safe operation and reduce leaks, smoke and unnecessary fuel use;
respond promptly to spills or environmental incidents, contain impacts and record corrective actions;
consider delivery scheduling, backloading and route efficiency when transport arrangements are within our control; and
keep work areas orderly to reduce damage, waste, fire risk and contamination.
Measurement and Reporting
We will maintain records that allow environmental outcomes to be measured, reviewed and communicated credibly. Measures may include:
pallets and heavy duty crates inspected, repaired or refurbished;
items written off and the destination of recovered timber;
reclaimed timber received, reused or directed to material recovery;
estimated waste diverted from disposal;
estimated greenhouse gas emissions avoided through reuse and life extension; and
environmental incidents, corrective actions and improvement initiatives.
Client and management summaries will be prepared on a financial year basis where applicable, with quarterly, half yearly and annual reporting used to support review. Calculations will use consistent assumptions, clearly identified boundaries and two decimal places for reported values unless another format is required.