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WISP Case Study: Diverting wood pallets from landfill

5 July 2021

WISP Case Study: Diverting wood pallets from landfill

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The Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP), delivered by GreenCape, and funded by the City of Cape Town, has recently published a case study. The case study describes how a synergy between two businesses led to 4.6 tonnes of wood waste being diverted from landfill, as well as other economic and environmental benefits.

WISP introduced Pallet Cycle, a business in Cape Town which collects timber packaging waste and remanufactures the material into new wooden pallets for re-sale, to Cabrico, a clay brick manufacturing business that manufactures genuine clay face brick and pavers.

Pallet Cycle, a business in Cape Town which collects timber packaging waste and remanufactures the material into new wooden pallets for re-sale, normally treats wood off-cuts and timber that could not be salvaged as waste. This waste is stored on site, taking up much needed storage space.

Cabrico is a clay brick manufacturing business that manufactures genuine clay face brick and pavers. The company has a reputation for always looking for alternative materials to produce their bricks. They regularly use waste wood and the company has the capacity to take roughly 6000 cubic meters of untreated wood waste.

WISP identified the possible synergy between the two companies and introduced them to each other. Following this, the companies met and were able to establish a mutually beneficial synergy. Pallet Cycle easily transports the material and enjoys the benefit of then having more storage space available for incoming raw materials. Cabrico benefits by saving on fuel and raw material costs, as well as reducing their carbon footprint.

To access and download the full case study, click here.