Wooden Pallets

• Most pallets are wooden.
• In the U.S. industry, the standard wooden size pallet is 48” x40”
• Typically consist of three of four stringers that support several deckboards, on top of which goods are placed
• Most made from “waste” lumber, which may not look good for furniture grade wood, but it just as strong
• Saddles foam and protective supports
• They don’t reduce natural foliage as no trees are cut to make them
• Timber pallets are reusable and recyclable
• Pooled wood pallets are durable, cost effective and environmentally sustainable
• Cost-effective, reconditioning quality options are an advantage of wood pallets:
• Grade #1A “Super” Heavy Duty Pallets: Hardwood construction, 5 bottom boards, for rackable pallets and one-way or return shipping
• Grade A: hardwood/softwood mix, 5 bottom boards, repaired with plates (no stringer inserts), for rackable pallets, and one-way or return shipping
• Grade B: hardwood/softwood mix, repaired with stringer inserts, for rackable pallets and one-way shipping

ISPM 15-Compliant Heat-Treated Wood Pallets

• A business necessity for an export pallet or overseas shipper
• All solid wood packaging must be heat-treated or fumigated before they can be imported into most countries, as of 2002.
• A safe and reliable way to treat a wood export pallet
• Very effective at eliminating all insect infestation and are environmentally safe

Recycled Wood Pallets

• This economically alternative is the workhorse of the industry
• Tough, durable wood
• Stackable reusable
• Heat treated H-2089 meets ISPM 15 Export Specifications
• Can even be used to make furniture (who knew!)

Paper Pallets

• Also referred to as “ecopallets”
• Come in corrugated fiberboard, partial wood decks or engineered with laminated paperboard (some made of paperboard composite honeycomb)

Advantages include:

• Lighter weight than wood or steel
• Thinner than wood, more products shipped on a load
• Disposable
• Recyclable
• Very flexible to adapt to special transport needs
• Meet Integrated Pollution Prevention Control (IPPC) requirements
• Meet international regulations on trade (ISPM)
• No fumigation
• Environmentally friendly
• Clean and dust free
• Low profile design possible, geared to reduce cube utilization while in shipment
• No nails or wood splinters, no mold, no fire retardants
• Promotes safer handling
• Suited for clean room environments in medical, pharmaceutical and non-wet food applications. Free of contaminants, they comply with phyto-sanitary ISPM regulations governing export shipments without the need for additional treatment and replaces heat-treated pallets.
• Clean design and offer the possibility of printing identification and/or RFID for enhanced marketing advantages

Disadvantages include:

• Susceptible to moisture
• Lack stiffness compared to most other pallet materials

Plastic Pallets

• Made from recycled and recyclable plastic
• Long useful life
• An effective reusable plastic pallet program can reduce costs, drive sustainability and optimize a company’s supply chain
• Resistant to acids, fats, solvents and odors
• Waterproof, resistant to bacterial contamination, and does not absorb humidity-ideal for food, paper, pharmaceuticals and cement
• Easily stacked, handled and cleaned
• Naturally ISPM 15 compliant: can be used for both domestic and export pallet overseas
• EURO pallet dimensions available
• Lightweight, yet durable to protect your shipment while on the way to its destination

Plastic Nestable Pallets

• Ideal for domestic and export pallet use
• Ideal for pallet stacking, and are manufactured for light, medium and heavy-duty applications

Plastic Rackable Pallets

• Allow for easy pallet handling and pallet stacking
• Will save space
• Allow a 4-way entry
• Can be manufactured using a fire retardant blend
• They are durable, nestable, lightweight, easy to clean, FDA/USDA approved, fully recyclable, slip-resistant surface

Stackable Plastic Pallets

• Available in one-piece, two-piece assembled and welded styles
• Designed for handling and shipping heavy product loads in warehousing, processing and manufacturing environments
• Static load capacities up to 30,000 lbs
• Ideal for stack loading, conveying systems, distribution centers and static storage
• Economic, environmental and efficient alternative to wood pallets or skids
• Easy cleanable and available in FDA approved materials
• 100% recyclable
• Available in footprints from 32” x 38” to 48” x 72”
• Consistent tare weights allow better inventory control
• Compatible with many palletizers, depalletizers, automatic strapping equipment and high-speed automation systems

Steel Pallets

• Often have removable beams (can be used for firewood)
• Fireproof and rust resistant
• Designed to last a long time and maintain structural integrity
• Ideal for sensitive storage use
• Meet ISPM #15 international shipping standards
• 62 lbs, yet edge support rack capacity at 3,500 lbs.
• Static capacity of 40,000 lbs. and dynamic capacity of 10,000 lbs.
• Almost full top side coverage
• Pallet jack capable for flexibility
• Cleanable
• 100% recyclable – green for the environment
• Offer tremendous ROI for companies in the food products, storage and distribution, chemicals and related markets
• Price point is less expensive than a comparable plastic alternative
• Offers advantages of capacity, usability and recyclability
• When you use purchase metal pallets, you save on:
• Repair and maintenance expense
• Product damage and breakage
• Plant cleanliness
• Related material handling cost saving (i.e.: less damage to conveyors and forklift wheels, etc.)
• Fire and safety expense

Aluminum Pallets

• Will not rust, rot, warp, or burn, therefore giving a better ROI
• Fireproof quality may lower insurance rates
• Stronger than other pallets now being used such as wood and plastic
• Reduce product damage and are lighter than some wood or other metal pallets, therefore reducing shipping cost
• Are stackable for space-saving efficiency
• Require virtually no maintenance
• Last for years and can withstand extremes in temperatures
• Ideally suited for closed-loop and automated retrieval systems
• Lightweight, durable, repairable and 100% recyclable
• Can be customized
• Resources: Pallet Size Resource