Pallets are Becoming More Reusable and we LOVE it
Pallet handling is in our blood and we’ve noticed an interesting shift…
Lockdown made pallet waste visible
How many vertical planters were made out of wooden pallets in lockdown? That strange era introduced many UK consumers to the prevalence of single use pallets as we merrily shopped online for garden furniture, desks, freezers, gym equipment, hot tubs… to try and turn our temporary prisons into homes that we could enjoy, or at least endure.
A new era in reusable pallet models
We’re pleased to report a noticeable shift in the pallet world. Pallets are becoming reusable and repairable with pallet suppliers such as CHEP and PECO Pallet leading the way here. These organisations, and others with a similar ethos, are creating sharing pallet models that keep pallets out of landfill (and gardens).
Along with enormous environmental benefits, there are also economical benefits since the need for buying pallet stock disappears. This can be brilliant for anyone only wishing to use pallets temporarily such as for events.
How it works
It’s a simple idea that is really catching on:
- Customers rent out high quality pallets to transport their materials
- Pallets are periodically returned to depots
- Each pallet is rigorously inspected and, if necessary, repaired to ensure it is safe to use
- Out they go to a customer again
How many times can you reuse a pallet?
So how reusable is a pallet? For wooden pallets you can expect 5-10 years of use if each one transports items 30 times per year. So that equates to up to 300 uses per pallet.
In fact, our conveyors have been known to carry pallets made of plastic and even metal – all with different levels of durability and reusability.
Long live pallets!
Need any pallet handling?
We have an abundance of warehouse-focused customers so naturally pallets are a common cargo for our conveyors. We’d be delighted to help you get your pallets from A to B. Simply contact us.