At aGlance:
- Wooden pallets are cost-effective, reusable, and have low maintenance costs.
- They support heavy loads, ranging from 1500 to 3000 pounds, with various strength options.
- Pallets made from hardwood offer durability, moisture resistance, and long-term savings.
- Environmentally sustainable, wooden pallets are recyclable and have a low carbon footprint.
- Easily repairable and customisable to meet specific business needs.
Look around any warehouse, distribution centre, or shipping dock, and you’ll notice something surprising—wooden pallets are everywhere.
With modern alternatives like plastic and metal pallets entering the market, you might wonder: “Why are businesses still using wooden pallets?”
Well, let’s find out the main reasons from this article together.
Cost Effective
Compared to other steel or metal pallets,wooden pallets are significantly more affordable. It’s because wood is a renewable resource that is abundantly available. Most wood pallets are made from pine, which is a fast-growing and sustainably harvested tree. Moreover, the manufacturing process is very straightforward and keeps costs low while maintaining quality. Plus, the best part is that wooden pallets are reusable and have low maintenance costs.
If your business is working with a tight budget but still needs reliable, durable pallets, wood is the smart choice.
Load Capacity
When you choose a pallet for your business, weight handling capacity is important. Wooden pallets can impressively handle weights from 1500 to 3000 pounds. That’s why it’s popular among industries like construction, manufacturing, etc.
You can also choose from lightweight, medium–duty, or heavy-duty wooden pallets to suit your specific load requirements.
Durability
Wooden pallets offer greater resistance to rot, moisture, and impact.
Unlike plastic pallets, which may crack under excessive pressure, wooden pallets tend to distribute weight evenly. This reduces the risk of breakage when carrying heavy weights.
Moreover, their dense structure also contributes to greater longevity and weight capacity. So, if longevity is a concern, investing in high-quality wooden pallets can save your business money in the long run.
Environmentally Sustainable
Sustainability has become such an important concern for businesses today. Wooden pallets are sustainable because they are made from renewable resource trees that can be replenished through sustainable practices. In fact, the suppliers who have the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certificate confirm that the wood is sourced ethically. While plastic pallets are non-renewable.
Also, wooden pallets are highly recyclable and repurposed for various uses that cut off waste.
Low Carbon Footprint
Wooden pallets require very minimal processing and lower energy compared to metal or plastic alternatives. When you compare the product lifecycle of all materials, wooden pallets have a lower carbon footprint because you can repair or reuse them. Additionally, wood naturally absorbs CO₂ that further contributes to a lower carbon emission.
Repairability and Reusability
One of the biggest advantages of using a wooden pallet is that you can easily repair them using simple tools. For instance, if you have a small crack on board, you can swap out the damaged sections to extend their lifespan.
As long as there are no signs of mould or severe damage, you can repair and reuse the pallets multiple times. Also, repairing wooden pallets is way cheaper than replacing metal or plastic pallets.
Customisable
While the standard Australian pallet is 1165mm x 1165mm, you can customise your own wooden pallet to meet your business needs. You can adjust size and dimensions, choose a wood, and design as per your preference. Many companies offer custom pallets, which makes it easier to meet storage requirements with precision for your supply operation.