Even EPAL pallets do not last forever. If EPAL pallets show signs of wear and tear or damage that cannot be repaired, those EPAL pallets that are no longer fit for use are sorted out and recycled. This ensures the high quality of the EPAL pallets in circulation and the 100 % recycling of the sorted-out EPAL pallets. The sorting is carried out by EPAL’s network partners, in particular by EPAL-licensed repair companies. These either carry out the recycling themselves or pass the EPAL pallets on to recycling companies specialized in timber recycling. Of course, users can also hand over the EPAL pallets they have sorted out themselves directly to timber recycling companies. As part of the recycling process for EPAL pallets, the wooden components (boards and blocks) are separated from the steel nails. The recycled wood material is then used to manufacture new products such as chipboard or wood-chip blocks for EPAL pallets (material recycling), or to generate electricity or heat (energy recovery). In this way, the recycling of EPAL pallets also helps to protect the environment by conserving wood resources and avoiding the generation of energy or heat from fossil fuels. The metal components of the recycled material from EPAL pallets are reused to make new metal products, including, for example, nails for EPAL pallets. By fully utilising the recycled material from EPAL pallets as a secondary raw material, EPAL pallets meet the requirements of a sustainable circular economy even at the end of their life cycle.