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 produced by hundreds of companies worldwide. Unlike wood pallets, plastic pallets offer a wide variety of styles, sizes, and features. To help you purchase the best plastic pallets for your business, here's the definitive buyer's guide to plastic pallets.

Structural Styles

Pallets with length-wise, structurally supportive runners tend to be called “rackable” or “rack-compatible” pallets. Having skid runners in place of feet enables rackable pallets to span the width of industrial storage racks and shelving. Naturally, rackable pallets may also be stacked or rest directly on the floor. Rackable pallets tend to be among the strongest options available on the market, but that strength generally comes with additional weight and material costs. They're necessary for rack storage and suitable for warehouses, shops, and general product storage.

Nestable Pallets

The nestability of several plastic pallets is just a huge advantage over traditional wood pallets. Designed with concave, cupped feet, these pallets nest inside each other when empty. This nesting provides incredible space efficiency, that may save a fortune 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 less than an inch when nested inside another pallet. Which means that while several wood pallets may waste around six feet of vertical space, that same space may be filled with more than 60 nestable pallets.

Stackable Pallets

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

For more details check out Estibas plasticas (plastic pallets).