Last Updated on March 18, 2022 by Evan Retallack
Because of the ubiquity of wooden pallets, often clients and those interested in purchasing a plastic pallet in Australia, have reasonable questions surrounding the product.
There are many components to what makes an Eco Pallets plastic pallet a useful product.
Here are some frequently asked questions that can be used to develop a greater understanding of how and why they are a superior option; usually to do with what the benefits and different aspects of pallets made from plastic are. As well as why plastic might be the right choice for you.
Eco Pallets Australia’s FAQ
The following are answers to these common questions:
What Is A Plastic Pallet?
Plastic pallets are flat, rigid and sturdy structures often made from 100% recycled HDPE that keep items stable during shipping and/or storage. They are designed for front loaders such as forklifts and jacks.
As vital tools for the handling and shipping of goods in the supply chain and logistics, plastic pallets are a safer and longer lasting option compared to wood pallets.
They are usually extremely durable, lasting for a hundred trips or more, and resist weathering, rot, chemicals and corrosion. The benefits of plastic pallets over wood pallets include the ability to be easily sanitized, resistance to odor, fire retardancy, longer service life span, durability and better product protection, non-splintering, and lighter weight, thus saving on transportation and labor costs and making them safer and more environmentally friendly.
– Wikipedia description of plastic pallet
What Is The Lowest Temperature I Can Store My Eco Pallets Pallets At?
Many industries, such as pharmaceuticals and food, require pallets to be temporarily, or permanently stored within a fridge or freezer.
Our plastic pallets are therefore ideal, as they can be comfortably stored to a temperature of -30 °Celsius, which equates to -22 °Fahrenheit.
Plastics can store frozen items or specific deep-freeze formulations for dependable pharmaceutical distribution. With Eco Pallets it’s not difficult to choose the right pallet for your merchandise.
Solid wood can work for heavy-duty warehouse racking, but it’s susceptible to dampness and other moisture-related concerns. Not all plastics are created equal either. Some can grow weak as the temperature drops. That’s why it’s important to choose a high quality plastic pallet for your cold storage needs.
Keep Frozen Items Safe: Eco Pallets Australia’s Pharmaceutical and Food & Beverage ranges are high quality plastic pallets ideal for your cold storage and transportation needs.
Learn more about racking and storage in our pallet stacking and storage article.
What Is The Life Cycle Of An Eco Pallets Plastic Pallet?
The exact life cycle of our Eco Pallets Plastic Pallets isn’t something you can immediately quantify.
Our pallets, crates and spill control products are all made with such high standards, they frequently last upwards of five years, although they can last much more.
This is because Eco Pallets are made to last longer than wooden pallets. The plastic they are composed of is biodegradable and has a superior strength and consistency – a result of the high-tech moulding process. As well as being durable, the product is lightweight, weighing 20 – 30 kg less than a wooden pallet.
Are Plastic Pallets Safer Than Wooden Pallets?
Wooden pallets can often be made with up to nine different pieces, where most Eco Pallets products are one piece, which guarantees their superior durability as well as safety. Our pallets can hold up to six tonnes on the rack, and up to two tonnes off the rack – both a very high standard.
While some of the pallets are welded, there is never any glue or nails used. By being completely free of nails and splinters, you can be confident in the safety of your staff during handling.
View a more detailed breakdown on wooden pallets vs plastic pallets.
Why Choose Plastic Pallets?
Plastic pallets have many advantages. For one, they’re significantly lighter than wooden pallets, by up to 30 kilograms. This means that your company will be saving on shipping when you take into account the reduced weight, even though the initial cost is higher that of a wooden pallet.
Plastic pallets are an investment for the future when the longer life span is taken into context, with wooden pallets costing the operator around $10 a week to hire, compared with plastic pallets costing around $0.06. Additionally, plastic pallets are biodegradable as well as able to be repurposed as storage, further prolonging their life.
In a closed loop distribution scenario, an Eco Pallets plastic pallet can last up to 10 years, depending on the operator’s needs and usage. As you are in control of when you retire your pallet, and how you recycle or repurpose, you wont have to pay for broken pallets such as the case when hiring and using wooden pallets.
How Do I Clean My Plastic Pallets?
Pallets that are made out of polyethylene and polypropylene will not absorb moisture and are usually unaffected by weak acids and alkalis, which makes them more hygienic and safer to use than wooden pallets.
Steam cleaning is the most common way to effectively remove any split residue or dust contaminate on your pallets, which typically accumulate over time. Eco Pallets has a pallet cleaning service available to it’s customers.
Learn more about cleaning plastic pallets.
Are Eco Pallets Environmentally Friendly?
In a recent press release from Frisch’s Big Boy Restaurants, a chain in the US, the organization announced its recent switch from cardboard pallets to reusable plastic pallets.
“I’m really proud of the steps we’re taking now and the steps we will take in the future to make Frisch’s a model for what being an environmentally conscious brand looks like,” says Jason Vaughn, Frisch’s CEO.
Many businesses prefer to use plastic pallets, as the life cycle is considerably longer than that of a wooden pallet. Wooden pallets are also limited in their ability to be recycled, and there is even a ban in some parts of the world on the landfilling of wooden pallets, for example in North Carolina.
From savings to sustainability, there are many benefits from switching to plastic pallets. Learn more about the true environmental cost of wooden pallets.
For more information on how Eco Pallets can help your company maintain the highest standards, from production to delivery, and how we can help your company transport your goods safely and efficiently, get in touch today.
