Pallets are indispensable to the logistics industry. The mass transport of large quantities of goods, from bricks to books, from fruit to furniture, is simply unviable without this innovation from the 1920s. The majority of pallets are still wooden ones, as they have been for a hundred years, but it is increasingly common to come across variations such as plastic pallets, metal ones and even pallets for lighter loads made from paper. The logistics industry has matured. It is clear that in certain industries the universal use of wood is not the best practice and one of the sectors which have found the plastic variants particularly suitable is the food and drinks industry.
Plastic Pallets are Hygienic
This is of paramount importance in the handling of food and drink. Even well-packaged goods are at risk of contamination. Because if the pallets they are carried on are dirty or liable to soiling from spillage and leakage. Plastic pallets can be designed with hygiene in mind, using virgin or food-grade recycled plastic. Starting with a perfectly hygienic product is always advisable. Although a further benefit is a plastic will not absorb liquids, odour or dirt. If anything of this kind should get onto the pallets, the fact that they are non-porous means they can be very easily cleaned and even disinfected, eliminating any risk of cross-contamination.
Another associated advantage is that nails are not used in pallets made from plastic. This might not seem significant. But if you consider the rough treatment some loads receive in transit. It is far from inconceivable that a loose and possibly rusty nail or a splintered strut might puncture the load allowing not just air but also bacteria to get into the foodstuffs.
Strength, Weight and Longevity
Despite the fact that plastic is much lighter, it is unquestionably stronger than wood. Food and drink supplies are characteristically heavy. So the lightness of the pallets contributes to lower fuel bills. This makes them easier to manoeuvre while their durability means they won’t splinter in the way that wooden ones can do if caught badly by a forklift or lowered onto uneven ground. A collapsed pallet can make unloading longer. This is a far more hazardous process. Because the load itself may fall apart and become badly damaged. Another obvious benefit is that you will get much longer service from pallets made out of good quality plastic. They can last on average for 10 years. That’s enough for thousands of deliveries. Recalculate that in monetary terms and you’ll see the potential cost savings are phenomenal.
Export
Since the introduction of the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No 15 in 2009, more than 85 countries have signed up to its provisions. This means that if you are exporting goods to any of these countries, which include the whole of the European Union, China, Canada and India, then any wooden pallets you use are required to be heat-treated, stamped and certified before shipping. Import and export are very common in the food and drink sector. So a simple way to avoid this obligation is to use plastic.
Operational Disruption
One of the biggest causes of loading and unloading delays is the frequent danger of pallets breaking or splintering. This slows down the rate at which a forklift driver or automated system can handle the goods. With the frequently perishable items carried on behalf of the food and drinks industry, these delays are frustrating at best and damaging at worst.
Brand Identity
In the food and drinks industry, brand recognition is extremely important so any opportunity to expose your logo to the public gaze is highly desirable. A wood pallet is efficient but characterless. A plastic pallet can be customised, branded and coloured to match your company livery. Not only does it provide extra visibility, but it also means you’re more likely to get your own pallets back in the next return load.
Recycling
Finally, although this is not specifically related to the food and drinks industry, much is made of the recyclable nature of wooden pallets, but plastic can be recycled too. At the end of its long life, it can be ground into pellets. Which are used again in a variety of applications. Even for filling potholes over which your drivers must travel.