More and more companies are switching to plastic pallets – moving away from the industry standard wooden pallets for their shipping needs. You might be asking why businesses are doing this after the traditional material has been a staple in domestic supply chains and International Export for so long. Well, there are lots of reason why you might want to switch! Read on to learn why plastic pallets might be the right choice for your company.
Sturdy and Long Lasting
Depending on their destination, standard wooden pallets might only survive one trip. Wooden slats – especially on cheaper wooden pallets – are brittle and can be broken easily resulting in repeated repairs or replacements. Many receivers will not accept goods on wood pallets if there are signs of splintering or damage , since they do not want this in their production areas. Even a well looked after wooden pallet will only last a few years, especially if used for long distance deliveries or international exports.
Plastic pallets on the other hand are sturdy and durable. A good Heavy Duty plastic pallet can easily last you ten years – over double the maximum lifespan of a wooden pallet. This means that, despite the initial higher cost of plastic pallets, they will provide a far longer service and will ultimately cost less than their wooden counterparts as they don’t need to be replaced as regularly.
Cleaner and Safer
One of the key issues with wooden pallets is that they’re hard to clean and have to be disposed of when dirty. Being made of organic materials it’s all too easy for wooden pallets to develop rot and grow bacteria if they get damp. This means that wooden pallets need to be stopped at customs to make sure that no dangerous moulds or other danger organics cross the border – causing delays in your shipping.
Plastic pallets are chemical resistant and easy to wipe clean and so don’t need to be held at borders. The construction of plastic pallets also means that it’s safer for workers to handle them, with no risk of splinters or cuts from fittings and nails.
This resistance to harmful bacteria make plastic pallets the perfect shipping method for perishable or consumable goods – such as food, drink or pharmaceuticals. With hygienic plastic pallets there’s no danger of transported goods being contaminated by dirty wooden pallets – preventing huge potential losses from ruined product.
Reuse, Recycle
While the initial construction of plastic pallets is less eco-friendly than those made from renewable wooden materials, plastic pallets are easy to recycle. A broken plastic pallet can be re-ground to pellets to make a brand new pallet, or a variety of other plastic goods.
Great for Closed Loop Supply flows
Plastic Pallets are a no brainer choice for those who ship in a closed loop or a multiple use context – where you’re guaranteed to keep hold of the pallet once a delivery is completed. With their light, durable construction and their ten-year life span, using plastic pallets for such shipping activities can massively reduce the shipping costs caused by the need to regularly re-buy wooden pallets.
Plastic pallets are durable, hygienic and light. While initial costs may put some suppliers off, the long life span and many benefits of plastic pallets – and other reusable shipping and packaging methods – have seen many companies take the plunge and make great savings. Want to see if plastic pallets are right for your shipping needs? Get in touch with MECS, your Middle East Container Solutions supplier, on 00971 04 319 7652 or email sales@mecsgroup.com.