20 November 2025
Circularity doesn’t begin on the road. It begins in the depots where pallets are inspected, repaired and sent back into service. In Blijderveen, one of our active depots in the Benelux, this is what we do every day. Quietly, consistently and with measurable environmental impact.
Keeping materials in the loop
So far in 2025, the Blijderveen team has:
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Sorted 735,903 pallets
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Repaired 329,020 pallets
Each repaired pallet avoids the need for new timber and reduces emissions by an average of 3.51 tCO2. Multiply that across hundreds of thousands of pallets, and the result is quite a meaningful reduction in carbon and waste.
A partnership built on experience and continuous improvement
For Blijderveen Pallets, collaboration is central to keeping this loop strong:
“Blijderveen Pallets, in partnership with IPP, is committed to optimising every aspect of pallet sorting and repair,” says Anton Crabbendam, General Manager at Blijderveen Pallets B.V.
Together, the two teams bring over a century of combined experience. Weekly coordination meetings, ongoing discussions and regular IPP audits create a rhythm of shared learning and continuous improvement.
“This collaborative approach allows us to stay sharp, responsive and consistently deliver optimal results,” adds Anton.
What happens to damaged pallets
Not every pallet can be saved. But nothing goes to the landfill.
Scrap wood is collected and sent to Houtcentrale Spijk, where it is recycled into wood chips for playgrounds and parks, chipboard, or biomass fuel for energy generation. Even when a pallet reaches the end of its life, it still contributes to the circular economy.
Local depots, local impact
By repairing pallets close to where they are needed, depots like Blijderveen help reduce transport kilometres, shorten lead times and keep supply chains moving efficiently. Pallets return to customers faster, emissions stay low and materials keep flowing.
A simple system that works at scale
Circularity does not rely on one big change. It depends on small, repeatable actions that, over time, create a real impact. The Blijderveen depot is one of many examples of how IPP keeps materials in motion, prevents waste, and builds more sustainable supply chains for our customers.
Learn more about how our depots support circular operations across Europe here: Sustainability | Lean & Green | Ecovadis Platinum | IPP