Even though pallets are a tool that we rely on heavily, they can also be a source of frustration for some. If you work with pallets on a regular basis, you know this. We constantly deal with sorting and organizing, moving and stacking, getting rid of damaged or broken pallets, and oftentimes, it can just feel like it never ends.

On top of taking up so much time, we then have to figure out how to get them back to the beginning of the supply chain. How to store them, how to recycle them, or how to dispose of them. Some businesses even feel it’s less hassle to dispose of these pallets after every single use. This isn’t a sustainable or eco-friendly approach and costs more money, in the long run, to continue operating in such a way as you are constantly needing to replace pallets.

One possible fix?

Plastic pallet pooling.

What Is Pallet Pooling?

Because of the current issues with pallets and sustainability within this industry, more and more companies are turning to pallet pooling providers. They are doing this as a means for managing their pallet use, leveraging a sustainable tool, and cutting costs typically associated with managing your pallets. 

So, what exactly is pallet pooling?

A pallet pooling company is one that owns, organizes, and transports pallets so that individual businesses don’t have to. If you’re working with a pallet pooling company, you’re essentially renting the materials you need for transporting goods.

Your business would pay a fee and the pallet pooling company would be responsible for everything else. This means making sure that there is a sufficient supply, that all pallets are in good working condition, and that they are ready for use when needed.

Once these pallets have been used, the pallet pooling company takes care of all the reverse logistics. The pallets are moved backward through the supply chain, in order to recover and reuse them. An added benefit is that this cuts down on waste, and over time, also on the total cost of business.

Working with a pallet pooling company is definitely a step in the right direction when it comes to better sustainability practices. But what if we could take this quest for sustainability a step further?

Benefits Of Using Plastic Pallets

Plastic pallets reduce product damage
Because of a plastic pallet’s consistent dimensions, top deck coverage, and the absence of nails and splintered wood, we see far less chance for damage. These reusable plastic pallets are much more sturdy than their wood counterparts. Less damage to goods means less chance of being rejected by retailers.

Plastic pallets are more hygienic
Because wood can absorb all sorts of liquids and other substances, it can be extremely unhygienic. While wood pallets are almost impossible to wash or sanitize, plastic pallets can easily be cleaned to much higher standards.

Plastic pallets cut down on debris
With all of the organic nature of wood itself, traditional pallets are prone to be more easily damaged. In fact, they damage easily and frequently, leaving pieces in their wake. Plastic pallets significantly cut down on debris littered across the warehouse floor as the plastic is not going to chip, break, splinter, or fall apart the way traditional wood pallets do.

Plastic pallets allow for greater ease of use
Because plastic pallets are lighter and often have handles on each side, they are much easier for a single person to move around.

Plastic pallets reduce transport costs
The total weight of plastic pallets is also a perk when it comes to transport costs, both to a retailer and back to the pallet pooling company itself. Less weight equals less overall shipping cost.

Moving Toward The Use Of Plastic Pallet Pooling Companies

We have learned over the course of the last two years that there is no benefit to doing things in the way that they have always been done. We have to constantly be re-evaluating and innovating in order to stay ahead of the curve and continue to run successful and profitable businesses with a focus on sustainability.

So while some may argue that wood pallets can be more recyclable and biodegradable, the overall amount of production is higher than with plastic pallets. The benefit of plastic pallets is that they can be used time and time again. And when you couple plastic pallets with a plastic pallet pooling company, you’ll truly maximize use.

This, in turn, leads to a smaller overall carbon footprint.