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Category Archives: Pallet Terminology

Custom Logo Pallets

Custom Logo Pallets from One Way

OK party people, let’s get wild. This might sound crazy, but did you know you can get custom logo pallets from One Way Solutions?

It’s true. These babies can give your brand a big boost when shipping product to customers. Let’s talk shop for a sec.

What is a custom logo pallet?

A custom logo pallet is a pallet that has added branding to identify the owner.

The are 3 ways to add custom logos to plastic pallets:

  • Hot Stamp
  • Cold Stamp
  • Stickers

Hot Stamp

Hot stamp logs are created by inserting a logo die into the plastic pallet mold, creating a custom logo imprint on the pallet surface during the pallet molding process.

This is a superior option because the logo becomes part of the pallet and is hard to remove or damage – retaining your company logo to increasing branding and reduce theft. 

Cold Stamp

Cold Stamped logos are simply stamped on the pallet after it has been molded. This can be a more versatile option because it can be added to an existing pallet inventory without the need for a special production run of molded pallets.

Because cold stamping requires less setup during production, it is a less costly option.

Pallet Stickers

Adhesive back stickers displaying a custom logo can also be applied to the pallet surface.

This is the least expensive option for adding a custom logo to pallets, but the sticker can be more easily damaged.

How Do I Decide Which Custom Logo Pallet option is Best?

When considering logo options, think about how you would like the logo to appear visually, the costs involved, and the importance of making sure the logo is easily identifiable on the pallet itself.

What’s the benefit of custom logo pallets?

So now let’s talk about why you should order custom logo pallets for your company. The biggest benefit is branding. The more you keep your company name in front of customers, the more you stay ingrained in their mind. Simple touches like a branded pallet can really stand out when your product is being seen amongst many competitors. Especially in a crowded marketplace, any chance you can to stay front and center the better!

Another powerful benefit is that branding your pallets discourages theft and reduces inventory shrinkage. When your logo is placed right on the pallet, it’s less likely someone will want it so you can maintain better inventory levels.

How do you receive a quote for a custom logo pallet?

Sounds like we’ve convinced you to consider ordering some custom logo pallets. Cool! The next step is to send us your vector based artwork. Then we can provide you a basic drawing that shows logo position. If you want to include multiple elements, we can determine the best placement on the pallet for each.

What else to know about ordering custom logo pallets?

This shouldn’t come as a surprise but there are a few things to know about this type of order:

  • Increases the lead time for production
  • Adds to the pallet price (custom quote provided)
  • Non-returnable once order is placed (because, well no one quite appreciates your logo as much as you do)

All things considered…ordering custom logo pallets can be a great way to get your name out there when shipping product around the country (or world).

If you want to talk next steps, reach out so we can prepare a quote.

Still have questions? Let me know how I can help!

* What’s the best reason for you to order a custom logo pallet?

* Do you think your customers will appreciate a branded pallet?

Share your Comments!

We’d love to hear from you – please let us know what other ways you use to stand out while shipping product- and check out our custom plastic pallets article if you have special specifications for your pallet and warehouse needs.

Need Help Selecting A Pallet?

Our Plastic Pallet Experts are happy to help you find the right plastic Plastic Pallet and send you a quote that includes shipping costs.

Please contact us to find the perfect pallet at the best price.

About Robin Kiefer

Robin Spencer Kiefer connects customers with solutions and products. Robin is the Digital Marketing Manager of One Way Solutions.

Pallet Lips & Safety Rims FAQ – Are They For You?

Pallet Lips - Do you need them?

What is a Pallet Lip

A pallet lip, also known as a pallet safety rim, is a raised edge on all 4 sides of the pallet that extends above the pallet deck.

Pallet Lip / Pallet Safety Lip

Pallet Lip / Safety Lip

The pallet safety lip is found along the edge or perimeter of the four sides of the pallet.

The purpose of the pallet lip is to simplify the material handling flow by offering additional benefits over lipless pallets.

Pallet Safety Rims can be found on nestable pallets, stackable pallets, and rackable pallets.

But why would you need a lip on your pallet?

Benefits Of Pallet Safety Lips

As it turns out, there are many benefits to choosing plastic pallets with safety rims.

Pallet lips can help reduce freight preparation times, conserve packing materials, secure payloads, increase employee safety, and simplify pallet stacking.

Reducing Freight preparation times

Pallet Safety Rims reduce freight loading times by reducing the need and time spent banding and shrink wrapping freight while preparing for shipment.

Need to quickly transfer goods to a different area within your facility? Time consuming shrink wrapping can be drastically reduced because loads are more secure from the moment they hit the pallet!

Conserving Packing Materials

Pallet Safety Rims help conserve the use of packaging materials materials and equipment.

Material handling professionals can be less reliant on shrink-wrap, pallet banding, and the machinery and accessories related to those packaging materials), saving warehouses time money.

Securing Payloads

Pallet Safety lips reduce the likelihood of payload unexpectedly separating from the pallet.

This helps reduce the likelihood of repacking charges imposed by freight carriers and limits the considerable expenses incurred by replacing lost or damaged shipments.

Employee Safety

A more secure payload helps reduce the likelihood of injuries caused by slipping / runaway freight.

Easier Pallet Stacking

Safety Rims help when stacking empty pallets; the pallet lips actually help with the registration of top and bottom of stacked pallets to reduce slipping.

Disadvantages Of Pallet Safety Lips

Pallet lips are generally helpful, but you should carefully consider how you plan to use the pallet.

There are certain material handling applications that make Pallet Lips undesirable. Specifically, instances where goods loaded onto a pallet exceed the footprint of the pallet.

In these cases, where the load on the pallet hangs over the edge of the pallet, pallet safety rims can leave marks on the goods carried by the pallet, which may be undesirable if the finished goods are going to be unpacked and brought to a store or showroom floor for sale in their original packaging (packaged for point of sale).

Pallet Lip Options

All pallet safety rims help secure freight, but not all pallet lips are the same.

Pallet Lip Height

Pallet safety rims are available in different heights and lengths. Generally speaking, safety rims are roughly .2″ to .5″ high (5mm – 13mm) high.

Continuous Or Intermittent Pallet Safety Rims

Intermittent Pallet Lips

Intermittent pallet lips do not cover the entire length of a pallet perimeter. This is a good choice when you do not need entire perimeter coverage, often in cases where you are loading larger and more tightly packed boxes onto the pallet.

Continuous Pallet Lips

Continuous pallet lips, like the one pictured below, cover the entire length of the pallet sides, and particularly helpful when shipping smaller or more loosely packed pieces on a pallet.

Full Perimeter Pallet Lip

Full Perimeter Pallet Lip

Pallet Safety Lip Pricing

Do pallet safety rims impact pricing? Absolutely!

Pallet lips are formed by plastic that is molded into the pallet body during the manufacturing process for strength. The additional material required to for the lip means more cost, but these costs are nominal and are far outweighed by the benefits offered to material handlers.

Let me know how I can help!

* What’s the greatest challenge you face in your warehouse?

* We’re here to help meet unique challenges in your warehouse!

Share your Comments!

We’d love to hear from you – please let us know what other tricks you’ve used to save on freight – and check our our article on other ways to save money on pallet shipping charges.

Need Help Selecting A Pallet?

Our Plastic Pallet Experts are happy to help you find the right plastic Plastic Pallet and send you a quote that includes shipping costs.

Please contact us to find the perfect pallet at the best price.

About Robin Kiefer

Robin Spencer Kiefer connects customers with solutions and products. Robin is the Digital Marketing Manager of One Way Solutions.

Plastic Pallets – What To Know Before Ordering

What To Know Before Ordering Pallets

Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers!

First thing’s first, if you have ANY questions when it comes to ordering plastic pallets, we are here to answer them fast. Never hesitate to reach out and avoid spending time trying to figure out what pallet is best for your needs. That’s what we are here for.

OK, now that you know we are ready to do the heavy lifting for you…we’ll share a few things that might make ordering plastic pallets even easier.

1. Consider the Application

When deciding which type of plastic pallet is best for you, consider the application. Do you want it to be nestable? rackable? stackable? We have plenty of options for all of these.

  • Nestable Pallets offer space-saving pallet storage solutions along with durability and safety. The unique design allows you to stack more pallets at a safe height while maintaining structural integrity. By compacting your pallet stacks, you can save valuable floor space and leave more room for business.
  • Rackable Pallets are the most durable and reliable pallets you can find. Designed to be safely and securely stored on racks, rackable pallets allow you to maximize available floor space without sacrificing storage space.
  • Stackable Pallets gives you the options for even more pallet storage and shipping. Stackable pallets are designed to maintain maximum stability when stacked with or without products on them, especially during shipping.

So when choosing from our many options, first consider the end use – the specific application for the pallet? This will help you decide which type of pallet is best for your order.

2. Think About Pallet Specs

Now you want to consider the specifications of the pallet in need. What products are going to be shipped and how will they fit onto the pallet? What will be the total weight of the product?

Asking these questions will help determine the following specifications:

  • Size: we have over 30 different dimensions of pallets, so if you have any questions on this topic…reach out to us and we can help you figure out which one is right.
  • Capacity: our pallets have many different weight capacities depending on your load
    • Static/Floor Load Capacity (lbs): range between XXXX and XXXX
    • Dynamic/Fork Load Capacity (lbs): range between XXXX and XXXX
    • Racking/Edge Load Capacity (lbs): range between XXXX and XXXX
  • Color: determine whether you want the standard black, or choose from other colors to suit your needs:
    • Blue: These are FDA approved plastic pallets that are safe for the storage of food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.
    • Other Colors: red, yellow, green, grey

3. Don’t Forget Other Features 

Beyond the normal specs, you will also want to consider other features that distinguish the different pallets. Here are the most important to think about:

* Stacking: How many laden pallets are in a stack? If you need help with this, check out our calculator that will show you the maximum quantity of laden pallets that you can safely stack.

* Open vs Closed Deck: Modern day top decks come in two main categories, open and closed. We have a full article on the topic, but here’s a brief explanation of both.

Open Decks: Also known as ventilated decks, have openings in the surface often referred to as the mesh or grid. These openings make the pallets lighter in weight and less expensive to purchase. The larger the mesh/grid openings are, the thinner the plastic pallet appears. Open deck pallets also allow easy draining when wet.
Closed Decks: Also known as solid top decks, have solid plastic surfaces without grated  openings. Most closed deck plastic pallets have a smooth surface with either an anti-skid surface or a lip around the perimeter. Closed deck pallets offer great hygiene due to protection from spills or splashes, and are easier to clean.

If any of this still leaves question marks in your mind about which pallets to order, remember…that is what we are here to help you with!

Start by reaching out.

* What items are keeping you stuck from ordering?

* What questions are still lingering?

Share your Comments!

We’d love to hear from you – please let us know what questions you have – and check our our article on other ways to save money on pallet shipping charges.

Need Help Selecting A Pallet?

Our Plastic Pallet Experts are happy to help you find the right plastic Plastic Pallet and send you a quote that includes shipping costs.

Please contact us to find the perfect pallet at the best price.

About Robin Kiefer

Robin Spencer Kiefer connects customers with solutions and products. Robin is the Digital Marketing Manager of One Way Solutions.

Heat Treated Pallet Alternatives

Heat Treated Pallets (HT Pallets)

Today we’re going to talk about heat treated pallets, find out what makes them special and beneficial, and discuss an alternative to heat treated pallets.

Wood Pallets In Action

Wood Pallets In Action

Pallet Treatments

Some pallets are untreated. These untreated pallets are known as “national pallets”, because they lack ISPM pallet certification and are therefore not used for international trade and foreign travel.

Pallet Treatments – For Safety

Wood pallets are treated to reduce the spread of pests and inhibit the growth of fungi and other organic matter to increase consumer safety and the stability of regional ecosystems.

There are many wood pallet treatment processes for making pallets safe for use:

  • Chemical Pallet Treatments
  • Fungicide Pallet Treatments
  • Pressure Treatments
  • Heat Treatments

No Bark!

At the very least, treated pallets must be debarked prior to their treatments. Because bark can harbor pests and their eggs, it has to go!

Heat Treated Pallets

Heat Treated or FT Pallets are subjected to a very specific heat treatment.

The heat treatment kills bugs and their eggs and reduces the wood’s moisture level.

Reduced moisture means that the pallet loses weight during the heating process as well!

HT Pallet Recipe: Bake Wood Core at 56°C (134.6°F) for 30 Minutes

Just what exactly has to happen for a wood pallet meet the heat treating requirements to meet ISPM15 requirements?

The core temperature of any wood pallet greater than 6MM in thickness must be raised to 56°C (Celsius) for no fewer than 30 continues minutes. Reaching the 56°C wood core temperature for half an hour destroys pests, their eggs, and organic plant life that may contaminate the payload or impact other ecosystems adversely.

Wait, what are we here in the US? We’re Fahrenheit.

So 56°C is 134.6°F  – which is roughly equivalent of the hottest recorded temperature in the USA:

134°F at Furnace Creek, Death Valley, CA (July 10, 1913)

What Does A Pallet Heater Look Like?

Pallet Heater, Pallet Kiln, whatever you call them, they have one essential purpose: to heat the pallets to 56°C and keep it there for 30 minutes.

Here’s one of the little devils now:

Pallet Heater or Kiln

Pallet Heater System Components:

* Fuel Source (natural gas or propane) – The fuel used for heating, sometimes kept in separate tanks
* Power Supply – Powers the heating and air handling devices
* Heating Unit – Creates heat from burned fuel for the heated air used to dry the pallets
* Air Handler – Forces the heated air into the heating chamber

Some pallet heating systems combine the heater and air-handler into an integrated unit, heating the air and forcing it into the heating chamber.

ISPM 15 Stamps – What do they look like?

The IPPC stamps used to indicate that a pallet manufacturer has met ISPM 15 standards looks something like this:

Heat Treated Pallet Stamp (HT Pallet with ISPM15 Stamp)

Heat Treated Pallet Stamp (HT Pallet with ISPM15 Stamp)

And as you might have already guessed (or already know) –
HT stands for Heat Treated.

Here’s another example of an ISPM 15 style stamp.

Heat Treated Pallet Stamp (HT Pallet with ISPM15 Stamp)

Heat Treated Pallet Stamp (HT Pallet with ISPM15 Stamp)

The Downside To HT Pallets

Well, there aren’t any problems to using HT Pallets specifically; they’re better than using MB Wood Pallets (pallets treated with the now banned MB – methyl bromide).

The problem with MT Pallets is that they are wood pallets and are not the first choice for efficient and cost-effective material handling due to the normal wood pallet disadvantages:

* Added weight of wood causes higher transportation costs
* Lack of uniformity causes interruptions and failure during transport and storage
* Splinters can risk health of all hands in the supply chain, and can cause contamination, exposure to blood borne pathogens, and payload damage.
* High cost of replacement over the long term due to lower service life compared to plastic pallet alternatives.

The Wood Pallet Alternative Is A Plastic Pallet Advantage

Are you ready for a pallet that will last longer, weighs less, performs better, causes less downtime, doesn’t need to be treated, can comply with FDA regulations, and will cost you less to use in the long haul?

Plastic Pallets - A perfect Heat Treated Pallet Alternative!

Plastic Pallets are the perfect Heat Treated Pallet Alternative!

Plastic Pallets are the answer – and our pallet experts can help you find the perfect fit to your needs.

Share your Comments!

We’d love to hear from you – please let us know what other tricks you’ve used to save on freight – and check our our article on how FDA Pallets can help food and pharma companies work better!

About Robin Kiefer

Robin Spencer Kiefer connects customers with solutions and products. Robin is the Digital Marketing Manager of One Way Solutions.

Euro Pallets

What Is A Euro Pallet

What Is A Euro Pallet?

History

The euro pallet is an important part of material handling history.

Its origin can be traced back to the 1960’s, when it was used to transport goods during railway transport. This pallet’s design allowed workers to load the pallet in 10% less time due to its cutting edge design and load capacity. These advantages established the Euro Pallet as an industry standard. In European markets, they were used almost exclusively for forklift and warehouse operations due to their optimal sizing.

The success of the Euro Pallet was followed by newly by imitations. Many imitators produced low-quality imitations using inferior grades of wood in attempt to copy the design of this successful pallet for a lower price. Due to the misleading nature of these inferior products, pallets that met the standards were identified with the logo “EUR” or “EPAL” to indicate that the pallet had met the license and certification of quality.


(seized pallets)

As time went on, word spread about his great pallet the europeans were using. As others around the world tried to get a hold of them, they realized that it did not work well in all of their applications. Especially when it came to certain International Organization for Standardization (ISO) shipping containers.

Evolution of Design

Due to the great success of this pallet design, there were a few similar products, that are named in the same family. On came the EUR-1, EUR-2, and the EUR-3.

All three of these EIR pallets are very close to the standard American 40 x 48 pallet.

The Eur-1 Pallet

The Eur-1 has the same dimensions dimensions as the EUR original (31.50 in × 47.24 in.)

The Eur-2 Pallet

The EUR-2 pallet measures in at a larger size (47.24 in x 39.37 in).

The Eur-3 Pallet

The EUR-3 has the same overall dimensions as The EUR-2, but the length and width are switched (39.37 in x 47.24 in).

Translation to American market and plastic

While European pallets are sized in mm, In the American markets pallets are sized in inches. In the American market 48 x 40 is the standard size in inches which is 1219 x 1016 mm. The EUR original is 1200 x 1000 mm which is 31.50 in × 47.24 inches.

Below is a chart with conversions from mm to inches with their production rank and the industries that use them most in the United States.

Our Euro Pallets

Here are some of the euro pallets we offer:

32 x 48 Nestable Euro Pal 2 Plastic Pallet # PP-O-32-N2
32 x 48 Nestable Medium Duty Ex-Pal Euro Plastic Pallet # PP-O-32-N
32 x 48 Rackable Euro Pal 2 Plastic Pallet # PP-O-32-R2A
32 x 48 Rackable Euro Pal 2 Polyethylene Plastic Pallet – Unassembled # PP-O-32-R2-PE
32 x 48 Rackable Euro Pal 2 Plastic Pallet # PP-O-32-R2A
32 x 48 Rackable Solid Deck Plastic Euro Pallet – 3 Runner # PP-S-32-E7
32 x 48 Heavy Duty Solid-Deck Stackable Euro Plastic Pallet # PP-S-3248-RC
32 x 48 Nestable Molded Wood Euro Pallet – Export Ready # PW-S-3248-NX
32 x 48 x 29 Fixed Wall Euro Bulk Container – Blue # CP-S-32-F

We offer many variations of the euro pallet, listed above are just a few of them.

Let me know how I can help!

* What’s the greatest challenge you face in your warehouse?
* We’re here to help meet unique challenges in your warehouse!

Share your Comments!

We’d love to hear from you – please let us know what other tricks you’ve used to save on freight – and check our our article on other ways to save money on pallet shipping charges.

Need Help Selecting A Pallet?

Our Plastic Pallet Experts are happy to help you find the right plastic Plastic Pallet and send you a quote that includes shipping costs.

Please contact us to find the perfect pallet at the best price.

About Robin Kiefer

Robin Spencer Kiefer connects customers with solutions and products. Robin is the Digital Marketing Manager of One Way Solutions.

How Are Plastic Pallets Made

How Plastic Pallets Are Made

How Are Plastic Pallets Made?

Plastic pallets are manufactured at an injection molding facility. But how do these individual designs come into existence, from planning to production? The path is complex, but entirely necessary to ensure that the product is a success.

Main Stages Of Pallet Production

The process of designing and creating a plastic pallet has three main stages:

* pallet design
* pallet molding
* the final production of the pallet

In order to create the perfect plastic pallet, all of the functional details and design features need to be planned out to satisfy the pallet’s end use and purpose.

For example, what material it will be made from, if it’s going to be light or heavy duty, stackable, rackable, or nestable?

Plastic Pallet Raw Materials Plastic Pellets Manufacturing - Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Banner-bg_3asih.jpg

Plastic Pallet Raw Materials Plastic Pellets Manufacturing

These are just a few of the things that are important to consider when creating each individual pallet.

Though there are many different ways that pallets can be molded, the most common method used in our plastic pallets is, high pressure injection molding.

WATCH VIDEO OF INJECTION MOLDING HERE:

Pallet Design

During the process of designing a plastic pallet, many things come into consideration. Things such as the purpose of the pallet and how it will be transported, stored, what industry will use the pallet.

All these considerations impact and contribute to the design, material, weight, and durability of a pallet. Once the design for the plastic pallet is in place, the mold will be made to make that exact design.

Additional Pallet Design Considerations:

* Open/Closed decks
* Ventilation
* Sanitization
* Runners vs no runners
* Two-Way vs 4-Way entry
* Industry standards
* FDA approved
* Fire retardant

Pallet Injection Molding

High pressure injection molding is the process in which virgin plastic and colorants are mixed and melted together in a barrel or mixing chamber, before being injected into the mold.

Plastic Pallet Injection Molding Heated Screw - https://www.batelaan.nl/wp-content/uploads/Spuitgieten..gif

Plastic Pallet Injection Molding Heated Screw

The mold is clamped together with mass pressure before being injected. By using high pressure injection molding, pallets injected inside the molds will have a faster production time than any other molding method.

Plastic Pallet Injection Mold Manufacturing

Plastic Pallet Injection Mold Manufacturing

By injecting the melted plastic resins into the molds, the finished pallets will come out with the most detailed and accurate design as possible!

Plastic Pallet Production

When using high pressure injection molding to create large quantities of high quality, plastic pallets, production times become more efficient. By increasing production speed and being able to produce plastic pallets in mass quantities as fast as possible, it reduces the risk of being scarce. Also, with a production process such as this, it is easy to customize and change designs and molds, making it possible to produce pallets for even the most specific needs!

Plastic Pallet Injection Molding Process - https://wiki.ece.cmu.edu/ddl/index.php/Injection_molding

Plastic Pallet Injection Molding Process

Share your Comments!

Let us know what you think of the plastic pallet production process!

We’d love to hear from you – please share thoughts in the comments below.

Need Help Selecting A Pallet?

Our Plastic Pallet Experts are happy to help you find the right plastic pallet and send you a quote that includes shipping costs. Please contact us to find the perfect pallet at the best price.

About Robin Kiefer

Robin Spencer Kiefer connects customers with solutions and products. Robin is the Digital Marketing Manager of One Way Solutions.

Pallet Top Decks Explained

Plastic Pallet Decks Explained

Pallet Top Decks, What Are They?

A top deck is the top surface area of a pallet or skid, the space / platform that inventory or a more general payload will rest upon during storage or transportation. Although, top decks vary on by pallet, common top options can be found on both stringer and block pallets.

Two Pallet Top Deck Types: Open Deck & Closed Deck

The two main types of top decks on a pallet are, open decks and closed decks. An open deck can also be referred to as a ventilated deck, and a closed deck can also be referred to as a solid deck. Knowing the different types of top decks is important when selecting the best pallet option for your application!

Modern Top Decks: Open vs. Closed

Modern day top decks come in two main categories, open and closed. One Way Solutions offers both modern top deck styles in: nestable, rackable, and stackable plastic pallets Both of our open and closed top deck pallets are available in a full range of sizes to best suit your needs!

Open Pallet Top Deck

Open top decks, also known as ventilated decks, have openings in the surface often referred to as the mesh or grid. These openings make the pallets lighter in weight and less expensive to purchase. The larger the mesh/grid openings are, the thinner the plastic pallet appears. Open deck pallets also allow easy draining when wet. One of our most popular open deck pallets is our 40 x 48 x 5” Nestable Light Duty Plastic Pallet (#PP-O-40-NL7).
Open Deck Pallet #PP-O-40-NL7

The Popular PP-O-40-NL7 Open Deck Pallet

Closed Pallets Top Deck

Closed top decks, also known as solid top decks, have solid plastic surfaces without grated  openings. Most closed deck plastic pallets have a smooth surface with either an anti-skid surface or a lip around the perimeter. Closed deck pallets offer great hygiene due to protection from spills or splashes, and are easier to clean. One of our most popular closed deck pallets is our 40×48” Solid Deck Rackable Plastic Pallet (#PP-S-40-R3).
R3 Closed Deck Pallet

R3 Closed Deck Pallet

An Old School Take on Closed Decks

Our other most popular option for a closed deck plastic pallet would be any of our rackable RC plastic stringer pallets. These pallets are based off old school, classic stringer pallet drawings and designs. One of our best selling examples would be our 44×44” Heavy Duty Solid Deck Rackable Plastic Pallet (#PP-S-4444-RC).
Closed Pallet Top Deck - Old School

Closed Pallet Top Deck – Old School

Anti-Slip Options

Offering pallets with different anti-slip options and designs helps ensure that our customers inventory and products remain safe and secure. Some of our anti-slip designs include: * an elevated pallet lip or safety rim around the perimeter of our pallets * rubber surface attachments (known as pallet grommets). These anti-slip options are most commonly found on the smoother surfaces of our closed deck pallets.
Pallet Rubber Deck Grommets

Pallet Rubber Deck Grommets

Finding Your Perfect Pallet Online

Our plastic pallet experts want your pallet shopping to be as easy as possible! That’s why we offer a special way to filter your searches! When viewing our “Shop Plastic Pallets” or “Pallets by Industry” drop down bars, you have the option to filter your search to really narrow down what you’re looking for! The filter section can be found on the left of our product pages, right under the “Shop by Category” box.
Our Pallet Product Filters

Our Pallet Product Filters help you find what you need quickly!

Want to learn about Pallet Stringers?

There’s more to a pallet than a top deck – go here check out our article on Pallet Stringer Boards.

Share your Comments!

We’d love to hear from you – please share thoughts about our open and closed top deck pallet options in the comments below.

Need Help Selecting A Pallet?

Our Plastic Pallet Experts are happy to help you find the right plastic pallet and send you a quote that includes shipping costs. Please contact us to find the perfect pallet at the best price.

About Robin Kiefer

Robin Spencer Kiefer connects customers with solutions and products. Robin is the Digital Marketing Manager of One Way Solutions.

Recycled Plastic Pallets And The Fight For Mother Earth

Plastic: The Good, The Bad and The Business

The world has come a long way from the 1960’s and the movie ‘The Graduate’. When giving the best advice for success to a recent college graduate, the successful businessman said, “I have one word, Plastics.” Today, plastic is where it shouldn’t be, in the ocean and on the beaches and it is killing animals as well as sea life and skewing the balance of nature, causing great harm to the environment and the future of a healthy earth States are banning plastic straws, restaurants are banning plastic silverware and cups, and grocery stores are banning plastics bags, offering only paper bags to its customers. With the anti-plastic movement coming to most neighborhoods near us, why oh why would the packaging industry want its customers to buy plastic pallets as opposed to the traditional wooden pallets?

Recycled Plastic Pallets

Well, it is important to know that plastic pallets are made from recyclable materials. Which can be reused, and reused, and reused, leaving a very limited harmful footprint on the environment. Ironically, plastic pallets are actually environmentally friendly and good for the green future of the earth. In 2008, an independent study done compared the environmental impacts of plastic pallets and multi-use wood pallet, finding the plastic pallet is far superior when it comes to the environment. In all measured areas, global warming, ozone layer depletion and acidification, (the decrease of acidic balance in the oceans), the plastic pallet was shown to have a much lower environmental impact. It is 100% recyclable, lighter, stronger and safer than the multi-use wood pallet, and it is far greener.
Recycled Plastic Pallets - Multi Colored Stacked Pallets

Recycled Plastic Pallets – Multi Colored Stacked Pallets

 

Recycled Pallet Life Cycle And Shelf Life

In another study, an analysis done by Environmental Resource Management (ERM), a global leader in environmental consulting services, measured the total life cycle impact of the plastic pallet and the multi-use wood. The plastic pallet was found to be the environmentally friendly solution. It leaves a much smaller environmental footprint, and it offers an alternative to depleting our forests to make wood pallets. Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design did a study that made a strong case for pallets long shelf life. Researchers found that the plastic pallet has 18 times the life span of the wood pallet.
Recycled Plastic Pallets - Typical Pallet Life Cycle

Recycled Plastic Pallets – Typical Pallet Life Cycle

Advantage of Recycled Plastic Pallets Over Wood Pallets 

Though 90 percent of the market still uses wood pallets, an analysis by FasTrack proved there is an advantage to using plastic pallets over wood ones. The plastic can be reused. Though wood pallets are cheaper, companies are now looking at plastic because they are reusable, with a consistent design. Also, they are cleanable and have environmentally friendly elements. The engineered solution, the plastic pallets can be specifically designed for all types of equipment, thus the product can be moved more easily. With all these benefits, plastic doesn’t seem to be such a dirty word anymore.
environmentally safe recycled plastic pallet
A 21 century technology to replace wood, the RM2 BLOCKPal pallet by One Way Solutions is extremely durable, environmentally friendly, and affordable.

Recycled Plastic Pallets: The Engineered Answer

We live in an age where all have to pay attention to saving the environment. From recycling what can be reused to stopping the careless use of plastics that are not reused, beyond what the private citizen can do, businesses need to be committed to keeping the earth green. The plastic pallet is the engineered answer to a problem in the packaging industry. Wood pallets deplete forests and do not have a long shelf life. Plastic pallets are made of recyclable materials, last a very long time, are reusable, and cost efficient. It appears the word for success in the 1960’s has returned to the 2010’s: Plastics. However, this time, plastics do not just make life easier they also help save the planet.

Share Your Comments!

What is your take on recycled plastic pallets? Are they serving your business while supporting the environment? To learn more about Plastic Pallet Recycling – Read this Article.

Trying To Choose The Right Recycled Plastic Pallet?

In case you didn’t know, we LOVE helping customer find the right plastic pallets to suit their needs. It’s in our DNA. Please contact us to find the perfect pallet at the best price.

About Robin Kiefer

Robin Spencer Kiefer connects customers with solutions and products. Robin is the Digital Marketing Manager of One Way Solutions.

Pallet Stringers Explained

Pallet Stringers

Stringer Pallets are one of the original models of wooden pallets. A stringer pallet is a pallet with a unique design that adds boards, known as the stringers, to create a more stable base for heavy unit loads. When looking at a plastic pallet stringer, the stringers can be identified on each side of the pallet, as well as, down the middle of the pallet. However, pallet stringers no longer have to be built in or permanently attached to a pallet. Detachable plastic pallet stringers make it possible to customize basic pallets to make them as versatile as possible. Most commonly pallet stringers are able to be picked up by either a forklift or pallet jack forks, through a two way entry. Stringer pallets or pallet stringers can be made from wood or plastic, and be notched to create partial four way entries if needed.  
pallet stringers

Stringer Pallets vs. Block Pallets

The original model of a stringer pallet differs from that of a traditional block pallet. A stringer pallet is only accessible to be picked up from a two way entry unless specifically notched to have a partial four way entry. A block pallet is almost always accessible from a four way entry. This is because block pallets have hand jack openings. Along with the openings, a block pallet has about 4-12 blocks supporting a unit load, these are located between the top of the pallet and the bottom deck boards. Block pallets can also be made from wood or plastic. A stringer pallet allows a full coverage base where a block pallet has three different base options. A block pallets base can be perimeter based, uni-directional based, or have an overlapping base.

The Design of a Stringer Pallet

A stringer pallet, is a pallet that has boards known as the stringers, on each side, and down the middle of a pallet, sandwiched between the top and bottom boards. The stringers run lengthwise on the pallets and grant the pallets more support for the unit load. This design allows a two way entry and ability for the pallet’s deckboards to be chambered for a pallet jackets wheels to enter.
stringer pallet

Modern Plastic Pallets & Pallet Stringers

Some of our plastic pallets have detachable pallet stringers that snap on and off to create a more versatile pallet. Allowing our stringers to snap on and off of our pallets, allows a pallet to be stackable or rackable depending on how they’re applied. A great example of a rackable/stackable plastic stringer pallet is our 45 x 48 Heavy Duty Solid-Deck Rackable Plastic Pallet (# PP-S-4548-RC).
stringer pallet

Which is better?

When deciding what type of pallet to invest in, both block and stringer pallets are good options. Each, whether plastic or wood, can be modified, notched, and configured in the molding process to create the perfect pallet for its intended use or easy mobility. Block pallets typically cost more than stringer pallets due to production and material costs.

3 Questions to ask when selecting the perfect pallet!

  • How will the pallets be stored?
  • How will the pallets be handled and transported?
  • What is the cost?

Want to learn about Pallet Top Decks?

There’s more to a pallet than a stringer – go here check out our article on Pallet Top Decks.

Share your Comments!

What is your preferred pallet type, stringers or block? What benefits or advantages do you feel they hold for you? Do you like the concept of a detachable plastic pallet stringer? We’d love to hear from you – please share thoughts in the comments below.

Need Help Selecting A Pallet?

Our Plastic Pallet Experts are happy to help you find the right plastic pallet and send you a quote that includes shipping costs. Please contact us to find the perfect pallet at the best price.

About Robin Kiefer

Robin Spencer Kiefer connects customers with solutions and products. Robin is the Digital Marketing Manager of One Way Solutions.

Plastic Pallet Materials

Plastic Pallet Materials

Plastic Pallet Materials

Plastic Pallets are made from a variety of different materials. Each have their own benefits and challenges. When selecting the right plastic material for your pallet’s application, there are two main and opposing aspects to consider; impact resistance & rigidity. In general, these aspects are inversely correlated.

In other words:

The more rigid a pallet is, the less impact resistance it possesses.

The less rigidity a pallet has, the more impact resistance it possesses.

Resistance and Rigidity

A pallet that is very rigid will typically have poor impact resistance. Similarly, a plastic pallet with high impact resistance will usually be less rigid.

Popular Plastic Pallet Materials

As is true for many of our blog features, there is no right or wrong pallet, only what is best for your conditions.

With that in mind, here are some of the more popular plastic pallet material types:

High Density Polyethylene Pallets (HDPE Pallets)

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE): This is by far the most common material used to mold plastic pallets. Milk jugs are the single largest use of HDPE and is known as a very versatile resin. It is also very inexpensive compared to other plastics, especially recycled resin. It offers plastic pallets a middle of the road compromise between impact resistance and rigidity.

HDPE Pallet Benefits:

  • Impact Resistance
  • Resistance to Freezing
  • Highly resistant to strong acids and bases.

In one sentence: HDPE is the most common, versatile, and cheapest material used amongst the different types

In one sentence: HDPE is the most common, versatile, and cheapest material used amongst the different types of plastics.

Pro Tip: HDPE pallets absorb little to no water, making them easy to clean and store!

Polypropylene Pallets (PP Pallets)

Polypropylene (PP): PP is the second most widely use resin used in plastic pallets. It is much more rigid but lacks the impact resistance of HDPE. It’s also usually more expensive that HDPE.

PP Polypropylene Pallet Benefits:

  • Stronger than HDPE
  • More Rigid than HDPE
  • Excellent crush recovery – more resilient!

In one sentence: PP costs more to produce and is not as commonly used, as much as HDPE.

Pro Tip: Polypropylene it is extremely resistant to chemical solvents, acids, and bases!

Polyolefin Pallets (PO Pallets)

Polyolefin (PO): PO is basically a catch-all for plastic materials that don’t fall into any of the other categories. For our purposes, PO is a proprietary blend of HDPE, PP, and cellulose that is found in many of our plastic pallets. It is sometimes referred to as ACM (Advanced Composite Material). The benefits are very high rigidity and low cost, but is difficult to mold, is very brittle, and cannot get wet. The cellulose expands and leeches the carbon black used to color the pallets. This type of plastic is often used in the production of one time use pallets or export pallets, this means that once they are sent out there will not be an expectation to have them returned.

PP Polyolefin Pallet Benefits:

  • Lower cost pallets
  • Good option if pallets do not need to be returned or reused (export, one way pallets)

In one sentence: PO is a plastic blend that is common, but cannot get wet and is harder to manufacture.

Pro Tip: Don’t expose polyolefin plastic pallets to water!

Fiberglass Pallets

Fiberglass is a recent entry in plastic pallet materials. There are only a couple manufacturers in the world with this capability and they employ proprietary methods. Typically, the pallets are coated with clear finish to seal in the glass fibers. This adds significant cost but produces a pallet that is extremely rigid and has high impact resistance. In addition, it has excellent fire retardant properties without any added fillers.

Fiberglass Pallet Benefits:

  • Extremely flex resistant
  • Extremely Impact-resistant
  • Naturally fire-retardant

In one sentence: Fiberglass pallets consist of a glass and plastic mixture, they are very strong, but can be very costly.

Pro Tip: Fiberglass pallets allow lots of stacking capabilities, so tack them up to utilize floor space!

Share your Comments!

What type of plastic pallets best suits your needs?

What are your opinions on the different pallet materials currently on the market?

We’d love to hear from you – please share thoughts in the comments below.

Need Help Selecting A Pallet?

Our Plastic Pallet Experts are happy to help you find the right plastic pallet and send you a quote that includes shipping costs. Please contact to find the perfect pallet at the best price.

About Robin Kiefer

Robin Spencer Kiefer connects customers with solutions and products. Robin is the Digital Marketing Manager of One Way Solutions.

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