###### Abstract  
As global trade continues to intensify, the role of pallets becomes increasingly crucial, as they are essential for the movement of goods worldwide. Wooden pallets are the most common packaging type in Italy and Europe, and their widespread use in distribution and freight transportation means that the relatively minor environmental impact of an individual pallet is greatly magnified by the overall scale of operations. The management of pallets can significantly influence both the emissions and the costs associated with pallet operations. This work presents a case study representative of the emerging trends in sustainable transportation and logistics in Italy, aiming to compare the carbon footprint of the standard pallet exchange system with the system employed by the company Nolpal. Unlike the conventional exchange model, which requires companies to purchase and own EPAL pallets, Nolpal provides leased pallets to the market across Italy, supported by a nationwide network of collection hubs. A comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) between the Nolpal system and the conventional pallet exchange system showed that Nolpal's approach achieves a 35% reduction in CO2-eq emissions. These findings highlight how the company's model could serve as a blueprint for future advancements in more sustainable pallet management strategies.  
life cycle assessment; carbon footprint; wooden pallet; pallet supply chain; sustainability 20  
Pallets have played a transformative role in logistics management. Given the profound changes in warehousing and shipping practices globally, pallets have become indispensable in modern shipping operations [1].  
As shown in Figure 1, data from Freedonia indicate the global demand for pallets is constantly growing and is projected to increase by 4.0% annually, reaching nearly 7 billion units, with a market value of USD 83.6 billion by 2028 [2].  
Given the vast number of pallets in circulation at any given time, they represent a significant investment for many companies and substantially contribute to environmental impacts. The management of pallets can have a considerable effect on both the environmental footprint and the costs associated with their operations.  
Founded in 2011, Nolpal was the first Italian company to introduce a nationwide EPAL pallet rental system [3]. Nolpal is continually developing new strategies to minimize impacts during logistic operations, addressing challenges in the current system with the aim of reducing costs and improving environmental sustainability. The Nolpal chain enables the rental of EPAL pallets to customers for goods delivery while managing the most complex aspect of the exchange system: the return process. By optimizing the transportation network through strategically located logistics hubs and distribution centers that minimize travel distances, Nolpal addresses some of the most critical challenges in transportation systems, identified in recent studies and findings [4]. Throughout its lifecycle, the transportation is a critical stage of a pallet's use, meaning that pallets contribute to emissions as they and their cargo move through the supply chain. The main freight transportation methods rely on fossil fuels, and transporting pallets consumes them, leading to increased emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants [5].  
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the environmental impact of Nolpal's EPAL pallet management strategy using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, supported by the openLCA software. The findings indicate that incorporating Nolpal's system into pallet exchange operations significantly enhances the sustainability of the logistics supply chain. Specifically, the results show a marked reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.  
Figure 1: Global pallet demand from 2008 to 2023 (Freedonia World Pallets).