In the United States, the most common material used in making pallets is wood. This doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best choice for all kinds of shipping. Five percent of shippers have stated that, depending on the product being shipped, pallets made from plastic may be the better option. There are a lot of factors that must be taken into account when deciding on the best pallet to use for shipping a particular product. Many shippers become stumped on this issue. The following are factors that must be considered when deciding on the use of either a wood or plastic pallet in Dallas.
1. Understand the Difference
The difference between a wooden and plastic pallet must be considered. Wood pallets are repairable, recyclable, less costly, and hold more weight than plastic pallets. On the downside, wood pallets splinter, give off moisture, contain fasteners that may damage products and also harbor bugs. Plastic pallets are clean, durable, bug-free, contain no fasteners, and are weather-resistant. They also cost three times as much as wood and are not easily repaired. They are also not as stiff or sturdy as wood pallets and have a different set of fire codes.
2. Consider the Industry.
Industries that operate in environments such as closed loop warehousing usually opt for plastic pallets. Since the pallets are being returned, the automotive, pharmaceutical, dairy, and beverage industries usually buy plastic pallets to reduce costs.
3. Take into Account the Weight and Fragility of the Product
Plastic pallets are more suitable for products that weigh less than 1,500 pounds. Wood pallets can hold items weighing between 1,500 to 3,000 pounds. Wood pallets have fasteners which may result in damage to fragile products. Take, for example, shipping cans of paint. The fasteners may come loose, break the cans, resulting in damage to the product. In cases where the product being shipped is fragile, using plastic palettes is the better option.
4. Check the Cost Involved
Wooden pallets should be used when shipping products overseas. This is due to the fact the pallets won’t be returned, and the costs of purchasing the plastic pallets isn’t worth the investment.
For more information on selecting and purchasing the best wooden or plastic pallet in Dallas, please contact Crating & Packing service company.
