Last Updated on July 19, 2021 by Evan Retallack
The exact weight largely depends on the type of pallet you’re using and the material it’s made from. Most wooden pallets sit somewhere between 15 kg and 70 kg. However, lightweight plastic pallets can come in at as little 4 kg.
Knowing which pallets weigh more or less can help you make important decisions about which ones work best in your business supply chain.
So, what plastic pallet options do you have?
Lightweight Plastic Pallets
At Eco Pallets, our products weigh different amounts according to their design and purpose as well as the material used.
Take our nested ECO-1210SL 9LEG pallet. It weighs 6.4 kg, and is specifically designed for maximum strength and rigidity. At 1200 mm in width by 1000 mm in length it’s one of our larger options. The pallet holds a static weight of 2000 kg and a dynamic weight of 600 kg, and is made from recycled PPC.
Meanwhile, our slightly smaller ECO-800 pallet is 7.5 kg despite only being 1200 mm in width by 800 mm long. It’s made from the same recycled PPC yet can hold a heavier load than the ECO-1210SL 9LEG pallet because it’s designed very differently. This pallet can hold a static weight of 3000 kg and a dynamic weight of 1000 kg, and features a grill top deck and base.
Finally, from our heavy duty pallet series, our ECO-1165 range weigh substantially more, at 23.4 kg each. However, they’re designed with a smooth, flat, anti-slip loading service that can hold a static weight of 10,000 kg or a dynamic weight of 2000 kg. In this case, the extra weight of the pallet itself is more than compensated for by the load it can hold.
It really pays to talk to pallet producers about your business needs to understand the style that’ll best suit you.
Pallet design and material both affect overall weight.Taking pallet weight into account when buying
In choosing the right pallet weight and size, you need to think about every aspect of your supply chain. Consider:
- What weight the pallet needs to hold and if it is variable.
- Whether this is a static or dynamic weight.
- How you’ll transport your pallet and how much it’ll cost.
Where your pallet isn’t going to carrying particularly heavy products but you are paying a third-party company for shipping, weight might be a crucial cost-saving measure.
Some shipping costs are based on weight, and if this is the case you’ll want as a light a pallet as possible. Alternatively, if you’re running your own shipping logistics, a whole truck full of lightweight pallets could represent considerable fuel efficiencies.
Remember, if you’re shipping your pallets internationally, they also have to meet stringent ISPM customs requirements.
You might realise considerable cost savings by using lightweight pallets in your shipping supply chain.Wood pallets versus plastic when it comes to weight and hygiene
Wood is a heavier material in the first place, and so is never going to help you minimise shipping costs on the basis of weight alone. However, one of the reasons wood can be so much heavier is because it absorbs moisture in certain conditions, such as when it’s left outside in wet weather or during the cleaning process.
Learn More: Plastic VS Wood Pallets
Moisture doesn’t only affect weight.
It also encourages mould and mildew, which can have serious implications for the products being transported. Plastic is impervious to moisture and easy-to-clean, which is why it’s such a great option for hygiene-reliant industries such as food and pharmaceuticals.
To find out which pallets suit your supply chain, get in touch with our experienced team for more information and a personalised quote.
