Industry expert reveals benefits of plastic pallets

Warehouses rely on equipment made from wood and tubular steel, including trolleys, mobile tables, pallets and storage racks. According to Alex Hempei, a senior director at Orbis Corporation, there are several reasons to switch to using plastic pallets and totes.

Wood is a natural material and easily recycled, but Alex Hampei says that plastic pallets are also eco-friendly as they can be reused many times. They have the advantage of being more hygienic, especially for storing food products. There is no risk of wood chips and wood debris contaminating edible items. Plastic is a food-safe material that is easy to clean, hygienic and without contamination risk. Plastic conforms to the strict standards of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

World Metric reports that 25% of global warehouses operate some form of automation, with more planning to do so. Plastic pallets have more uniformity of design compared to wood pallets, making them easier to use in automated handling and storage systems.

Wood is porous and absorbs moisture, unlike plastic, which can be safely left in humid and damp environments. Some plastic pallets are suitable for use in freezers and withstand temperature changes.

Transitioning to plastic pallets is often part of a strategy to adopt a circular economy where products such as pallets, totes and packaging are reused as much as possible. Circular practices can also save money.

Whilst steel will remain a practical and durable material for many warehouse equipment items, there is a strong case for using pallets and totes made from plastic.

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