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Why Plastic Pallets are a Better Choice than Wooden Pallets – 2023 Guide

Wooden pallets have remained in use for many years. Manufacturing and logistic companies need to use pallets for heavy loads. However, wood is hard to clean and can absorb infestation.

Furthermore, wood is a bit weak, and may not be the most perfect solution. Recently, other materials have been used to make pallets, and plastic is one of the most popular ones. Plain pallets company offers solutions for plastic pallets that are perfect today due to various reasons, and there is a myriad of choices you can pick from to sustain your needs. Here are points explaining why plastic pallets are better compared to wooden pallets.

Durable

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Plastic pallets are durable since they don’t break easily. It is a sturdy material that can withstand all weights. This makes it the perfect option for shipping cargo. These pallets are safe to move using a forklift. Moreover, the pallets can endure both weather and transport conditions. They last long before there is a need to replace them. Additionally, they don’t require fasteners to put the pieces together. Therefore, there are no sprints with broken edges.

Hygienic

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If a company ships products that must meet certain hygiene standards, the plain pallets are the ideal choice. This is because the material does not absorb spills. During the inspection, the pallets used to ship the items should not have any visible stains or any sign of repair. These aspects are hard to achieve when using wooden pallets, since absorbs spills, and cleaning them will only encourage the growth of fungi and molds. Wooden pallets absorb bacteria, chemicals, and other contaminants.

They also get moist and may start to smell. On the other hand, plastic pallets are solid. They have a smooth surface that is easy to clean. They also do not accumulate dirt or absorb moisture. Allergies and contamination can affect the reputation and quality of products in an industry. This is why pallets made from plastic are ideal, considering that they do not host these elements. They are suitable for industries like food processors and pharmaceuticals that keep top-notch hygiene. Hence, they do not pose any potential danger like foodborne illness.

Light-weight

Wooden pallets are heavier, making them a less suitable choice. However, plastic pallets are lightweight and easier to work with. They are easy to lift, simple to move, and easy to transport.

Therefore, when transporting things from the warehouse to other outlets, plastic pallets do not add too much weight. Their lightweight makes it easy for the small forklifts to lift them. Furthermore, plain pallets are stackable, making them ideal for any logistics company with limited space.

Safe

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Wood poses various problems like pests and allergies, making them not ideal for building pallets.

Furthermore, their attachment points make them weak choices for lifting heavy loads. Plastic pallets are ideal. They are made in one piece. Thus, there is a low risk of the load falling from the lift. Since they do not have rough surfaces, the products cannot get damaged and workers are safe when using them. Most of them are in an eco-friendly process ensuring that no further harm comes to the environment.

Cost-effective

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Considering that plastic pallets don’t add too much weight, they decrease the cost of shipping. Thus, whether it is through air, sea, or road, the freight rates are lower compared to the rates for transporting items with wooden pallets. They can also be stacked together, and this saves sufficient space. Although buying plastic pallets is a bit costly, the cost is lowered down in the long run. Their durability aspect also contributes to cutting down the expenses or replacing them.

Thus, plastic pallets save money in the long run. The lightweight speed up the loading and unloading processes, and this saves time. The reduced energy and time add significant savings for every load.

Recyclable

Both wood and plastic have been termed as environmentally friendly. However, each of them has a different way of recycling. When it comes to plastic pallets, it is easy to recycle them into other items. They can be melted down and shaped again into either different items or new pallets once the old ones surpass their usage limit.

The good thing about recycling plastic pallets is that it is easy since the pallets are made from one material only. Recycling is now easier compared to the past, and most of these items come with a recycling number. So, it is possible to have them hauled for reshaping. Some manufacturers accept the old pallets purchased from them.

They even offer payback for any company that sells back the old pallets. So, a company can call the manufacturer to pick the old pallets.

Multiple Uses

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In most cases, wooden pallets are utilized in manufacturing companies and warehouses due to their low price and effectiveness in their making. However, they are not suitable for areas like food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and chemical manufacturing companies. This makes plastic pallets the ideal option. They can be used in all sectors, considering that they are protective, safe, and non-porous.

Furthermore, not all international shipping companies accept wooden pallets. So, any company using plastic pallets can transport the products easily without any prohibitions.

Shipping Delicate Items

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Wooden pallets require fasteners to keep the products being shipped intact. That means the rate of damage to the products is a bit high. sometimes the content in the containers may spill and this will require replacement and cause delays. This makes plastic pallets the best for transporting fragile items. They do not require fasteners to keep the items intact and this ensures the goods are delivered in good condition.

Conclusion

The advantages of using plastic pallets surpass those of wooden pallets. This is because plastic pallets are long-lasting compared to wooden ones. Moreover, they are hygienic, an aspect that is very crucial for manufacturing industries.

Plastic pallets are safe to use. They are in one solid piece, ensuring that there will be no weak points or sprints that may damage goods. Bearing in mind their lightweight, plastic pallets lower down the shipping costs. As mentioned earlier, the pallets are stackable, and this creates more room.