(Courtesy: Lal Beral)
Many companies today are looking to up their “green cred” among consumers by touting environmentally friendly policies and practices.
Going “green” is not only good for business — many customers today will opt for businesses that they perceive to have the smallest carbon footprint — but it’s also good for the planet.
The material handling industry is n0t immune from this trend. Pallet manufacturers and trade groups are all claim that their pallet — whether it’s made of wood, corrugated cardboard, or plastic — is the greenest. So who’s right?
The answer is every type of pallet has its environmental benefits … and drawbacks. Here’s a look at the pluses and minuses of all of them.
Wood Pallets
Wood remains the most popular pallet material and, on the face of things, would seem to be the greenest choice. After all, wood pallets are literally made from trees, perhaps the planet’s most renewable resource. Plus, wood pallets can often be used dozens — or even hundreds — of times before they need to be junked. And they can be easily repaired.
Plus, wood pallets can often be used dozens — or even hundreds — of times before they need to be junked. When they break, they can be easily repaired. And even when their useful life has come to an end, wood pallets can be repurposed as animal bedding, particleboard, or even mulch.
So what’s the problem with wood? For one thing, it takes a long time to grow a tree large enough to be made into boards that can be used to build a wood pallet. How long? About 30 or 40 years.
And while there is little risk of the US running out of trees — thanks in part to an effective federal forest management planning strategy — pallet makers must compete with builders in the housing sector and other industries, which can drive up prices. Plus, unless companies follow environmentally conscious waste management practices, there’s no guarantee that wood pallets will be used to their fullest potential.
Cardboard Pallets
The makers of durable corrugated cardboard pallets make a strong argument for their environmental responsibility. They reduce carbon emissions and they are much lighter than wood pallets, requiring less fuel to be consumed when transporting them. Plus, they can be easily recycled.
But the downside with cardboard is its durability. Typically, they are intended for just a single use. Then there are the questions about how well they can stand up to exposure to rain and humidity.
Plastic Pallets
The best argument for plastic pallets is their longevity. They can be used hundreds of times without needing to be repaired, replaced or trashed. Plastic pallets also can be recycled as plastic pellets, which have a wide variety of applications. They also are lighter than wood, giving them the same fuel efficiency benefits as cardboard pallets.
But most plastic pallets are made of high-density polyethylene or polypropylene, both of which are made from nonrenewable oil or natural gas.
So which pallet material is the greenest? It all depends on how you plan to use them and your company’s recycling program.