PECO Pallet has been recognized by the Canadian Institute of Traffic and Transportation (CITT) with its 2026 Environmental Sustainability Award, marking the second consecutive year the pooled pallet provider has received the honour in the small-to-mid-sized business category.
The award recognizes excellence in sustainability programs and practices within Canada’s transportation and logistics sector. According to CITT, PECO distinguished itself through continued progress in measuring, managing and reducing greenhouse gas emissions while integrating sustainability initiatives throughout its pallet pooling network.
Recognition for Measurable Progress
“Canada’s logistics association is very pleased to recognize PECO Pallet as the recipient of our annual Environmental Sustainability Award,” said Pina Melchionna, President and CEO of CITT. “PECO significantly advanced its program in 2025, completing foundational planning, setting formal greenhouse gas reduction targets and actively deploying carbon measurement and reduction initiatives across its network. They are a testament to how an authentic commitment to sustainability can deliver both environmental and business process benefits.”
Founded in 1958, CITT serves as one of Canada’s leading logistics associations, providing education, professional development and industry recognition programs for transportation and supply chain professionals.
Sustainability Built Into the Pooling Model
PECO officials said the company’s pallet pooling business model naturally supports circularity through the sharing, recovery, repair and reuse of pallets, but noted that additional sustainability initiatives are continuing to expand across its operations.
“Sustainability isn’t viewed as a secondary effort, but as an integrated, functional part of the business model for superior pallet logistics and management,” said Lisa Vegso, PECO’s Chief Commercial Officer. “We operate a share-and-reuse model, and when sustainability is embedded as a core element of that model, that’s when you are most successful, from both a sustainability and business value perspective.”
Vegso added that PECO has established a goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Expanding Carbon Reduction Initiatives
In addition to implementing carbon measurement and reduction programs across its network, PECO is evaluating a number of additional sustainability initiatives. These include pilot programs for electric trucks and forklifts, converting facilities to renewable energy sources, reducing emissions associated with pallet repair materials, and using advanced software to further optimize transportation routes, lower fuel consumption, and reduce overall emissions.
The company said these initiatives are intended to complement its existing share-and-reuse pallet pooling system while further improving the environmental performance of its operations.
Growing North American Network
Based in Itasca, Illinois, PECO Pallet is one of North America’s largest pallet rental providers, supplying tens of millions of its signature red block pallets to grocery, food, consumer packaged goods and retail customers throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The company’s pallet pooling system is designed to improve pallet quality and availability while reducing waste through the continuous recovery, inspection, repair and reuse of pallets across its North American network.
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Rick LeBlanc, EMBA, is the founder and editor of Reusable Packaging News (subscribe to the free newsletter) and editor of Western Pallet Magazine. A supply chain journalist with more than 30 years of experience, he specializes in pallets, reusable packaging, material handling and related operations. Rick is co-author of Pallets: A North American Perspective and Pallets & Progress: A Collected History of Pallets and Palletized Handling 1922–1945. He is also an advisory board member of the Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design. Read Rick’s full bio.
