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Plastic pallets or wood pallets. This is a question a lot of retail, food and beverage companies, pharmaceutical corporations, industrial warehouses, and general small businesses weigh. Between plastic pallets and wood pallets, there are advantages and disadvantages to both. When it comes to which pallet type we prefer though, plastic is by and far the superior option. Here’s why:
- Eco-Friendly
- Easier To Clean
- Plastic Lasts Longer
- Cost Savings
- Dynamic Uses
- How Long Plastic Pallets Will Last?
- International Shipping
- Shipping Fragile Items
Eco-friendly
While wood pallets are generally biodegradable, pallets for sale are considered more eco-friendly as they are reusable. Then, when a plastic pallet can no longer be reused, it can be melted down at the end of its lifespan and recycled.
Read more about our recycling programs,
Easier to clean
Plastic pallets are perfect for products that need to be stored or transported with strict hygienic requirements. They’re also extremely easy to clean, wash, and/or sterilize. Any moisture, spill, or food that comes into contact with a wood pallet will get absorbed into the wood. Plastic doesn’t absorb a thing.
See more about container refurbishing and cleaning.
Plastic Pallets Are Lighter
Wood pallets are significantly heavier than plastic pallets. If you’re packing a lot of product in transportation, weight’s certainly something you want to keep in mind. This is yet another point on which plastic succeeds where wood fails.
Cost Savings
Plastic pallets are sometimes viewed as a more expensive material than wood because the upfront cost is higher. Where the cost-effectiveness of plastic comes into play is in use. Wood pallets are estimated to be good for roughly 5-6 trips on average before they start to break down. Now, compare this to plastic pallets which can easily last up to 250 trips and sometimes longer. In the long term, there’s a lot of money to be saved!
Dynamic Uses
Wood pallets are most commonly used in general manufacturing and warehouses because of how cheap they are to purchase and their effectiveness as a resource. That said, wood pallets are not suited for pharmaceuticals, chemicals, or food and beverage companies. Contaminations, chemical or non-chemical spills, and moisture can completely kill wood. For food and beverages, chemical storage and transportation, and pharma companies, plastic pallets are safe, protective, and aren’t porous like wood so they won’t absorb moisture or grow fungus.
Plastic Lasts Longer
Plastic pallets have a significantly longer lifespan than wood, as mentioned earlier. Did you know though that plastic pallets can last up to 10 years and beyond – it’s true! Alternatively, wood pallets won’t even come close to that number.
International shipping
Some countries have regulations in place to oversee the import of wood pallets while others completely prohibit it. If you’re shipping containers overseas and/or internationally, plastic pallets avoid these regulations altogether which makes it easier to move products through your supply chain.
Shipping fragile items
Wood pallets and the fasteners used to stabilize goods on them can sometimes lead to damage. Punctures on products such as a can of paint can cause significant damage, require an immediate clean-up, and possibly delay the arrival of goods. Plastic is much better contained and poses less risk to the product. For fragile items, this is perfect.
These are just a few of the reasons why to choose plastic pallets over wood. Although wood pallets are the most commonly used in manufacturing and logistics, more and more companies and corporations across so many different industries are realizing the benefits of plastic.
Are you looking for pallets for sale? Shop at Green Processing Company today for all your packaging solutions.
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