10 Reasons Why Returnable Plastic Pallets Are the Favorite Packaging in Retail

As we approach the end of the year, at Logistic Packaging we follow a tradition: talking to our clients about their experience using our products and what we can do to improve them. Out of all these discussion, a common topic emerged: the fact that returnable plastic pallets represent the best of all packaging solutions they are using.

We decided to put together the key observations our clients in the retail sector made regarding the benefits of plastic pallets. These are, in no particular order:

1. Cost-Effective

At the beginning, the investment in returnable plastic pallet is significantly larger compared to wooden pallets. However, these pallets are more reliable and have a longer lifespan. They don’t crack and splinter, so there is no need to repair them.

They maintain their neat and clean aspect even after multiple use cycles and do not need special treatments to restore them. In the end, plastic pallets achieve full ROI, while wooden pallets end up costing more than their initial purchase price.

2. Hygienic and Easy to Clean

Cleanliness is a must in all industries, but even more in retail, where foods and other consumer goods are handled. Plastic pallets are very easy to clean and sanitize using standard detergents and washing cycles.

They are not porous like wood, so they do not absorb liquids, fats and oils. Also, their simple design without hidden nooks and corners do not allow dirt to accumulate undetected by hygiene inspections.

3. Safe to Handle

All retailers agree that changing to returnable plastic pallets has improved work safety in all areas:

• Warehouse
• Loading bay
• Store backroom
• Store aisles when employees replenish shelves.

These pallets have smooth surfaces and rounded edges that prevent injury. They do not splinter and do not have protruding nails. Thus, workers can handle them without risk of getting cut or pierced.

4. Durable and Having a Long Lifespan

Returnable plastic pallets can be used for years without losing their main properties:

• Loading capacity
• Stacking
• Handling

They can handle intensive use cycles and handling by automatic logistics equipment without getting damaged. They effectively outperform any other similar packaging materials.

5. Versatility

In retail, plastic pallets can be used at every point in the supply chain, from warehouse to store aisle. The goods arrive packed on plastic pallets and are taken directly into the store backroom without having to move them into another packaging material.

In some cases, the pallets can also be used as display units in the store, further reducing the need to repackage the merchandize.

6. Space Saving

Both pallets with feet or skids are very easy to store when empty without taking a lot of space. They are either nestable or stackable. This also facilitates returning empty pallets to the warehouse – they can be stacked at the back of the trailer, allowing it to continue distributing merchandize to other stores along its planned journey.

7. Lightweight and Easy to Handle

Returnable plastic pallets have a very low own weight compared to their loading capacity. Workers can handle them easily, either manually or with forklifts or pallet trucks.

This helps reduce loading/unloading time significantly. It may be a matter of minutes, but they count a lot in the current fast-paced work in retail.

8. Temperature Resistance

Pallets loaded with goods go through a variety of temperature variations – including cold trailers for fresh fish and meat and high temperatures for bread and bakery products.

While wooden pallets would get warped and brittle due to these temperature variations, returnable plastic pallets remain unaffected. They are made from raw materials guaranteed to withstand temperatures between -20°C and +40°C,

9. Regulatory Compliance

Reusable plastic pallets do not need fumigation or heat treatment to meet ISPM 15 shipping standard when merchandize is moved across borders. They are made of virgin polypropylene or high density polyethylene.

These materials do not absorb or retain any contaminants. A standard washing cycle is sufficient to sanitize the pallets and have them pass any safety inspections.

10. Branding

Returnable plastic pallets can be customized with the company’s brand colors, logo and name. This is extremely useful for marketing, but also for tracing the pallets and reducing the risk of theft.

Branded display pallets are also extremely effective in stores to build customer loyalty and increase sales.

The Logistic Packaging team is ready to help your company find the best plastic pallet models for your needs. Send us an email detailing your packaging application and branding requirements.