Plastic Pallets, Birds of Prey and Reaching Mars…Why 2001 was a Year to Remember!

Take yourself back 20 years to the year 2001. The year Apple introduced its first ever iPod, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was the biggest movie blockbuster, Will & Grace was the top sitcom and a pint of milk cost just 36p!

For plastic pallet experts Goplasticpallets.com, 2001 was the year we were founded but it also marked an industry first – as we were the first (and only) wooden pallet supplier to successfully transition to plastic pallets.

20 years on, we’re reflecting on how far we’ve come and looking back at some of the other great UK achievements from 2001!

Kayaking Across the Atlantic

On 5th of September 2001, Peter Bray completed the first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in a kayak. He set out on the 23rd June from Newfoundland, Canada and after a 3,000 mile journey over 76 days, he arrived on the West Coast of Ireland. That distance is the equivalent of over four million of our popular APB 1210 Pool Pallet stretched side by side!

Ospreys Breed in Cumbria

In 2001, for the first time in over 150 years all the hard work of the The Lake District Osprey Project team paid off and amid great excitement a pair of ospreys took to the platform and nested, successfully rearing one chick!

At Goplasticpallets.com we were interested in learning about the challenges of breeding osprey. Two years ago, we donated seven plastic pallets for use in the Rutland Osprey Project which aims to encourage further breeding of the previously extinct bird of prey.

Has There Ever Been Life on Mars?

It’s one of life’s big questions and back on 7th April 2001 Mars Odyssey Mission was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Its mission included making the first global map of the amount and distribution of many chemical elements and minerals that make up the Martian surface. The orbiter’s extended operations continue today. At an in comprehendible and ever changing 240 million kilometers away from earth it would take over 110,000 return trips from our HQ in Eastbourne, UK to our first manufacturing partners factory CABKA in Ypres, Belgium to reach the equivalent stunning red planet!

Who’s Your Mr Cheeky?

Do you remember the Mr Men series of books by Roger Hargreaves? In 2001, a competition was held in the Sunday Times for children to submit their own Mr. Men character, which was to be published in a limited edition to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the series and Mr Cheeky with his mischievous attitude by 8-year-old Gemma Almond was the winner! Every home and workplace seems to have their own Mr Cheeky and ours is most definitely a hilarious member of our sales team, Gavin who always brings a smile to the office and makes everyone laugh!

The World’s Largest Greenhouse

On 17th March 2001 the doors of the Eden Project officially opened for the first time to try and help save the world’s largest collection of plants. An educational charity, this project aimed to connect us with each other and the living world, exploring how we can work towards a better future.

Plastic packaging, like plastic pallets, has in fact been found to emit less greenhouse gases than other packaging alternatives and at Goplasticpallets.com we too believe in creating a better, more sustainable future. That is why we pioneered our plastic pallet recycling scheme committing to recycling each and every plastic pallet we supply at the end of their long use.

You can find out more about our plastic pallet recycling scheme here, or browse our website for the widest selection of plastic pallets available in the UK.