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Press release / Pallet company’s move to inspire keen recyclers

Press release issued for Somerlap, a Somerset-based pallet maker and seller of quality garden products

To celebrate the boom in its recycling service, Somerlap Pallets has launched a competition to inspire others to think more creatively about the humble pallet.

The Somerset business is encouraging people to take inspiration from keen pallet recycler Belinda-Jane Miers in Glastonbury and come up with their own home and garden creations.

Belinda has created a number of domestic furnishings using pallets from Somerlap, including a bed, shelves and reclining chairs.

For this year’s Glastonbury Festival revellers, she has also developed a small portable High & Dry toilet roll holder.

“Looking at the finished products, nobody need ever know that they were made using old pallets” commented Belinda-Jane Miers whose recycled works can be seen at woodworks-glastonbury.co.uk.

“People are always delighted to see the results of recycling or upcycling and this material can be of very good quality.”

Somerlap Pallets is keen to receive competition entries from others who have made or plan to produce their own products from old pallets.

Kevin Bond, managing director of Somerlap added:

“For our business the value attached to recycled pallets has presented a real opportunity.   It’s great to see others taking the initiative and I hope Belinda’s ideas inspire others to have a go.”

Those wanting to try their hand at pallet recycling are invited to collect a broken pallet from Somerlap’s office in Mark. Entrants should then post videos or photos of their products on the company’s Facebook page, or email them to info@somerlap.co.uk. The overall winner will be announced in September and will receive £100 of vouchers to redeem at its garden furniture company in Mark.

Belinda advises fellow pallet recyclers to consider keeping the pallet close to its original form.

She explains:   “Pallets can be hard to pull apart, so I’d recommend trying to work in a modular fashion.  It is possible to use all of the components, as I’ve done with shelving units.”

The pallet arm of the Somerset business provides a reconditioning service to companies with factories and warehouses – collecting broken pallets, then repairing and reselling them. The growing popularity of this recycling scheme has generated employment at Somerlap, thanks an increase in demand generated by the increase in value of used pallets.

This initiative delivers revenue back to those who use it. An advantage recognised immediately by nearby Yeo Valley which sees a saving of between £30,000 and £40,000 a year from the recycling and resale of its used pallets.

The pallet recycling competition is open to all residents of Somerset until 31 August 2011.  Entries will be judged on practicality and creative use of material.