Working as part of a wider team, dedicated to pallet recovery, Ms Smythe will focus on driving the return of LOOP’s reusable green pallets among Tier 1 contractors - furthering the company’s commitment to embedding circular economic principles in the movement of building materials across the UK and Ireland.

Ms Smythe brings years of pallet pooling experience to The Pallet LOOP team. Previously she worked at CHEP, a global leader in reusable pallets widely utilised in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector.

With an exceptional track record in client relations, operational management and asset recovery, Ms Smythe’s primary task will be to enhance The Pallet LOOP’s partnerships with principal contractors – increasing their uptake of its pallet collection service, which offers a financial incentive of up to £4 for every green LOOP pallet returned for reuse.

Across the country, a growing number of principal contractors are now using The Pallet LOOP’s collection service as an easy, cost-effective way of disposing of pallets (white and green). However, more work is required to scale the company’s novel approach and drive-up pallet returns as new material manufacturers shift to The Pallet LOOP. As part of this work, Laura’s will collaborate closely with The Pallet LOOP’s other account managers, who are working to support builders’ merchants and housebuilders.

Commenting, Cathy Morio, asset recovery manager at The Pallet LOOP, commented: “We are delighted Laura is now part of the LOOP team. Her extensive experience in pallet pooling, will help ensure a seamless process for the return and ultimate reuse of our circular economy pallets – contributing to a more sustainable building materials supply chain. Our closed-LOOP system is already delivering huge financial and environmental benefits for many of the country’s biggest principal contractors. Under Laura’s leadership, we look forward to seeing that figure grow, alongside the number of pallet returns.”

The Pallet LOOP has now been operational for eight months. Initially the business supplied pallets to British Gypsum and Isover to move bagged plaster, plasterboard and insulation. In early April, Superglass and Wienerberger started to move their products on LOOP pallets and discussions with other material manufacturers are ongoing.