The Complete Buyer's Guide to Plastic Pallets

Plastic pallets have become the cornerstone of sustainable, green supply chain management (GSCM). Their efficiency, durability, and cost-effectiveness has earned them the support of environmentalists, distributors, and economists alike. Today, plastic pallets are made by a huge selection of companies worldwide. Unlike wood pallets, plastic pallets provide a wide selection of styles, sizes, and features. To help you purchase the very best plastic pallets for your organization, here's the definitive buyer's guide to plastic pallets.

Structural Styles

Pallets with length-wise, structurally supportive runners tend to be referred to as “rackable” or “rack-compatible” pallets. Having skid runners rather than feet enables rackable pallets to span the width of industrial storage racks and shelving. Naturally, rackable pallets can be stacked or rest on the floor. Rackable pallets are generally one of the strongest options in the marketplace, but that strength generally includes additional weight and material costs. They're necessary for rack storage and well suited for warehouses, retail stores, and general product storage.

Nestable Pallets

The nestability of several plastic pallets is really a huge advantage over traditional wood pallets. Designed with concave, cupped feet, these pallets nest inside one another when empty. This nesting provides incredible space efficiency, which could save a bundle on return shipping and storage. While a normal wood pallet may require significantly more than six inches of vertical space, a nestable pallet can often require significantly less than an inch when nested inside another pallet. Which means while twelve wood pallets may waste around six feet of vertical space, that same space could be filled with increased than 60 nestable pallets.

Stackable Pallets

Stack of plastic palletsMany plastic pallet descriptions include the term “stackable.” What this signifies is that those pallets are made with features that enable safe and secure stacking. The look of the features can range. Nestable pallets are inherently stackable, because of the cupped feet. Other stackable designs may add a small lip or edge across the the top of pallet that matches a corresponding groove or slot along the bottom. More advanced plastic pallet designs may feature entire deck tops that interlock with the bottom runners of other pallets. Whatever design technology is employed, the conclusion answers are pallets that securely stack together — helping to eliminate the clutter and risks related to precarious stacks of wooden pallets.

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