People who are involved with the manufacturing and use of pallets and crates have recently been in a heated argument over which type of pallet and crate is more effective and beneficial for the user. Pallets and crates are used every day to store materials, ship items securely from one location to the next, and to transfer materials from one location to another within a warehouse. So what are the advantages of using each? You would be surprised how much they do have in common.
Advantages of Using Plastic
- Affordable
Because plastic is not expensive to manufacture, that allows the companies who sell plastic pallets, plastic crates to be flexible with their pricing and make the pallets more affordable. They actually run about the same cost as a wooden pallet, and you don’t have to worry about replacing them as often as wood because of the durability.
- Environmentally friendly
The great thing about the plastic field is that people have learned how to reuse it, making it environmentally friendly. If the pallets or crates are broken in the process, they can easily be melted down and placed back into the mold to recreate a finished product of the pallet or crate.
- More durable
Depending on the thickness of the plastic, these types of pallets and crates can be much more stable and durable than wood. While wood can run into situations such as rotting, plastic will stay good until it somehow is broken.
- Safer
As unimportant as it may seem, plastic does not create work hazards such as wood pieces coming off and causing an injury. Splinters can be lodged not only into hands but other body parts as well. Plastic does not have this problem.
Advantages of Using Wood
- Affordable
Those who manufacture wooden products have quickly learned that to stay cost effective, it is best to figure out a new way to price point their product. By using products that were going to be unused anyway, they can save money on their own processing and therefore create an affordable product for the consumer.
- Environmentally friendly
Wood pallet manufacturers play heavily upon the fact that their materials used to create pallets and crates are made from wood that would’ve been otherwise disposed of or unused. This is also in addition to the fact that wood is biodegradable, so once the pallets are no longer used, even if they are taken to a landfill, they will eventually become part of the earth instead of sitting, like plastic would.
Those who are advocates for plastic pallets, plastic crates say that using wood can be detrimental because of the fact that unlike plastic, wood is very porous. These pores allow multiple types of bacteria to be stored. This becomes especially alarming when the pallets are used to transport things or store things like perishable or food-related products. If these bacteria come into contact with something that people will eventually ingest, it can prove to be a serious issue. This is the reason why so many people are switching over from wood to plastic. Next time you make an order for pallets, weigh the pros and cons and make the right choice for your business.