Q: What are the advantages of plastic pallets?
A: Plastic pallets are lighter, and that's an advantage, but they also have a smooth, slippery surface that makes them nearly impossible to stack more than a few high. That makes storage of these reusable pallets a real pain in the neck.
Q: Can you use plastic pallets?
A: Plastic models are durable and can be re-used. They are also easy to clean, making them suitable for more hygienic requirements, including the food and pharmaceutical industries. Plastic pallets can be made from recycled components and can also be recycled themselves when no longer needed.
Q: What are pallets made out of plastic?
A: Polypropylene is the most common plastic used to make plastic pallets. This type of plastic is very durable, with impact and tensile strength.
Q: Are plastic pallets strong?
A: Plastic pallets are stronger than wood, sometimes vastly stronger.
Q: How long do plastic pallets last?
A: In general, a plastic pallet can last 8 to 10 years. This more than twice as long as wooden pallets. Plastic pallets can withstand more wear and tear compared to their wooden counterparts, with plastic being stronger and more durable. Partnered with the right protection, plastic pallets can be used again and again.
Q: How many times can a plastic pallet be reused?
A: Plastic pallets can be reused between 50 to 200 times before they need to be recycled or disposed of. The lifespan of a plastic pallet depends on several factors, such as the type of plastic used and the maintenance it receives.
Q: What are plastic pallets good for?
A: The short answer is that plastic pallets are used for shipping every product that wood pallets ship. However, plastic pallets are particularly competitive over wood pallets when the product being shipped is food, pharmaceuticals, or another item that is particularly vulnerable to contamination, damage, or spoilage.
Q: Do plastic pallets need to be fumigated?
A: One of the biggest advantages of plastic pallets is that they do not need to be fumigated. While parasites and other nasty creatures can often survive in wooden pallets, vermin cannot live on plastic in the same way. So, for freight where hygiene is an especial concern, plastic pallets are a fantastic choice.
Q: Do plastic pallets rot?
A: Plastic pallets are not porous, making them immune to the damage moisture can cause, such as mold and rot. Wood pallets are on average about 27 pounds heavier than plastic counterparts. As a result, employees may have more difficulty lifting and moving them, resulting in rough handling that may damage the pallets.
Q: Where can I use plastic pallets?
A: Hygienic plastic pallets are perfect for handling and storing food products and pharmaceuticals. Their smooth surfaces make them easy to clean, whilst being non porous, they don't accumulate dirt and other substances which could lead to contamination of germs and bacteria.
Q: Do plastic pallets burn?
A: Most standard facility fire control systems are incapable of handling the fire and heat generated by a high stack of plastic pallets. Stacking pallets outdoors against or near the side of a building creates an increased fire hazard, as storage yards are not usually protected by sprinkler systems.
Q: How do you handle plastic pallets?
A: With plastic pallets, use blunt-end or tapered forks. Sharp forklift forks can damage plastic pallets. Avoid dropping plastic pallets.
Q: How do you clean plastic pallets?
A: High pressure washers along with an all-purpose soap can be useful to sanitize plastic pallets.
Q: How high can plastic pallets be stacked?
A: Stacks should not exceed 15' high or be greater than 400 sq. Ft. However, the most definitive direction you may find for pallet stacking will likely come from your insurance carrier and their concern for potential fire hazard.
Q: How many plastic pallets fit on a truck?
A: Both 53-foot vans and 48-foot vans are commonly used in truck shipping. So, in a 53-foot van, around 26 single-stacked pallets will fit, or 52 double-stacked pallets. On the other hand, in a 48-foot truck, around 24 single stacked pallets and 48 double-stacked pallets will fit.
Q: What happens to plastic pallets?
A: Those that cannot be put back into circulation because of damage are cut up and sent to a plastic recycling company. Here they will be shredded, melted and then extruded for use in new plastic products.
Q: What can I do with black plastic pallets?
A: Plastic pallets are highly reusable and recyclable.
Q: Are plastic pallets stronger than wood?
A: Plastic pallets are ideal for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries because they are resistant to moisture, bacteria, and other contaminants.
Q: Are plastic pallets food grade?
A: Plastic pallets not only meet food grade pallet standards, they exceed them. Plastic has a non-porous surface that can be more easily cleaned and sanitized between loads than wood pallets.