Does NMFC matter for shipping plastic pallets?

When shipping plastic pallets, the right NMFC classification makes all the difference. When one a valued customers reached out with quesions about NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification) codes, we were happy to help.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into the importance of selecting the correct NMFC code for your shipments and shed light on the current status of these codes as of October 2023.

What help did our customer need?

Also: Ways to lower freight costs – saving money on Plastic Pallet shipments?

Specifically, they were puzzled by the absence of NMFC 150390 in their NMFCA account and were contemplating using NMFC 156600 for a plastic pallet order (not to spoil the surprise, but as it turns out, One Way Solutions recommends using a third NMFC 150400 to ship plastic pallets).

Why the Correct NMFC Code Matters

Selecting the right National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) code is vital for securing the best freight rating for your shipments. These codes are used by carriers and freight brokers to classify various commodities based on factors such as density, stowability, and handling requirements. An accurate NMFC code ensures that your shipment is appropriately categorized, which can significantly impact the shipping costs, transit time, and even the carrier’s willingness to handle your cargo.

NMFC 150390: Is it Still Valid for plastic pallets?

NMFC code 150390, previously used for shipping plastic pallets, has undergone a significant change as of October 2023. NMFC code 150390 is no longer active (and therefore no longer applicable for shipping plastic pallets). This development underscores the importance of staying up-to-date with NMFC code changes, as using an outdated code can lead to costly errors and complications in your shipping process.

Introducing NMFC 150400: The New Standard for Plastic Pallets

As of October 2023, plastic pallets now fall under NMFC 150400, which is classified as “Pallets, Platforms, Skids, or Shipping Racks.” This code is density-based, which means that it takes into account the weight and dimensions of the pallets, providing a more accurate reflection of their characteristics. Density-based NMFC codes are ideal because they help ensure fair and consistent pricing based on the actual space and weight your shipment occupies.

The Advantages of Using Density-Based NMFC Codes

There are several advantages to choosing density-based NMFC codes like NMFC 150400 for your plastic pallet shipments:

1. Accurate Pricing: Density-based codes lead to more precise freight rates, helping you avoid overpaying or underestimating shipping costs.
2. Fair Treatment: Carriers can assess the space and weight requirements accurately, leading to fair treatment for your shipments and a reduced risk of disputes.
3. Streamlined Shipping: Using the right NMFC code reduces the chances of delays or issues in transit, ensuring a smoother shipping process overall.
4. Cost Savings: By accurately representing the characteristics of your shipment, you can potentially negotiate better rates with carriers and optimize your shipping budget.

NMFC 150400 vs. NMFC 156600 for Plastic Pallets

While NMFC 150400 is now the recommended classification for plastic pallets, you might wonder about NMFC 156600. NMFC 156600 also covers plastic pallets, but we believe NMFC 150400 is the preferable choice for a few reasons:

1. Specific Description: NMFC 150400 explicitly lists pallets in its description, making it a more accurate and transparent choice for plastic pallet shipments.
2. Industry Standard: NMFC 150400 aligns with industry practices and provides a standardized approach to classifying plastic pallets.
3. Consistency: Choosing the same NMFC code for plastic pallets across your shipments can lead to consistency in rating, reducing the potential for rating disputes and ensuring better control over shipping costs.

In conclusion, selecting the correct NMFC code is essential for achieving the best freight rating and ensuring a smooth shipping process. As of October 2023, plastic pallets are no longer shipped under NMFC 150390; instead, NMFC 150400 is the recommended classification. Density-based NMFC codes like 150400 offer advantages such as accurate pricing, fair treatment, and potential cost savings. When it comes to shipping plastic pallets, choosing the right NMFC code is a vital step in optimizing your logistics and achieving cost-effective and efficient freight transportation. At One Way Solutions, we’re committed to helping our customers make informed shipping decisions, and we’re here to assist you in navigating these changes.

We Hope That Helps!

We hoped you enjoyed learning about choosing NMFC codes for plastic pallets.

We’d love to hear from you – please let us know how you’ve saved money rating freight for plastic pallets.

Need Help finding competitive prices on pallets and plastic pallet shipping?

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

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

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?

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.

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.

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!

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.

Effects of Plastic Properties on Pallet Characteristics

Our Pallets are made from different plastics.

There are many types of plastic resins available for making pallets; the product’s intended use helps determine the ideal resin type to use for manufacturing.

The Two Popular Most Plastic Pallet Resins

Two plastic resins are the most common materials used to mold the majority of the pallets:

– High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
– Polypropylene (PP)

We’ll look at how the choice of these materials impacts four key properties.

Four Plastics Properties:

* Flex Modulus Of Elasticity
* Melt Flow Index
* Specific Gravity
* Izod Impact

Flex Modulus Of Elasticity

The Flex Modulus measures the strength of an adhesive and the stiffness during the initial steps  of stress analysis during a bending process. ASTM D790 is the standard test method for the Flex Modulus.

How to Test Flex Modulus

There are two ways to test Flex Modulus, but the main way is the three point bending test. In this method, two supports hold a sample of the plastic, while force is applied on a single point to induce deformation.

This property is important when deciding what kind of plastic pallet to use for your product. The higher the flex modulus, the stiffer the pallet. The lower the flex modulus, the more flexible it will be.

Melt Flow Index (MFI)

Melt Flow Index is a measurement of how quickly melted plastic flows through an injection molding screw into a mold that forms the plastic pallet. This test determines the viscosity of each material.

The higher the MFI value, the lower the viscosity.

So what’s better – a high or low Melt Flow Index?

Actually, ideal MFI values depend entirely on their application and are dependent on:
– the mold machine and molding screw
– mold design
– the final product

How to Test The Melt Flow Index

To test the MFI, the injection screw barrel is first preheated to the desired temperature. The operator then loads the sample material into the barrel.

Force is then applied to a piston tool to push the material through the heated barrel.

When the flow conditions are right, a timed sample is taken (usually at a ten minute interval).

Once the sample cools, it is weighed to determine the material’s MFI. So, the amount of the sample that flows in the ten minute window is considered the the MFI value.

Specific Gravity

The Specific Gravity of individual materials is measured by the density of the plastic compared to the density of water. Specific Gravity is very important metric in the plastic industry because plastic is sold at a cost per weight basis. This property impacts the price of each plastic significantly. Additionally, Specific Gravity measurements are used in production control.

How to Test Specific Gravity

Two sample weights are taken, the first weight is before water immersion and the second weight is taken during distilled water immersion.

Izod Impact

The Izod Impact is a gauge of the impact resistance and hardness of the material. This tests the hardness, strength and toughness of the plastic. The impact toughness will generally decrease the colder the temperature is.

How to Test Izod Impact

Using an Izod Impact tester, a pivoting arm is released from a specific height to swing down,  hitting and breaking the sample material. Afterwards, the energy that is absorbed by the sample is calculated from the height the arms swings to subsequent to hitting the sample.

Plastic Additives

Another property that can impact the characteristics of a plastic pallet is the inclusion of plastic additives. Different additives are used for different purposes; we’ll cover the common additives used in the pallet making process.

Plastic Colorant Additives

Colorant is the most common plastic pallet material additive. There are many reasons to add color to plastics, usually for specific products, material handling organization and sorting, or safety reasons. Besides the appearance, adding color does not change any physical characteristics of the plastics.

Plastics Strengthening Additives

Plastics used in many different industries are strengthened with additives.

Additives such as impact modifiers and reinforcements improve the strength and ability of the plastic to absorb impact without breaking and other stressors, even in the harshest environments.

Plastic Safety Additives

Especially in the food and pharmaceutical industries, additives make sure plastics are safe and suitable for handling products controlled by the FDA. Additives make sure the chemicals/medicines being transported do not react with the plastic in the plastic pallets. Additionally, the additives keep food and beverage containers safe for use during transporting and storing.

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) & Polypropylene (PP)

Now we’ll discuss the individual polymers, their specific properties, and how those properties affect plastic pallet characteristics starting.

HDPE

HDPE is an extremely durable petroleum based resin. HDPE’s corrosion and solvent resistance make it very easy to clean. HDPE is used in creating plastic bottles and containers.

It’s also used in many household applications like bottles for milk, juice, and cosmetics. Compared to other materials, HDPE is very cost effective for how durable it is, making it a great choice for plastic pallets.

What makes HDPE the most widely used material is its low price while still being a strong material.

HDPE Properties

* Flexural modulus of elasticity: 200,000
* Melting Temperature: 266 degrees Fahrenheit
* Specific Gravity: 0.96
* Izod Impact: 1.9

PP

Compared to HDPE, PP pallets are much more rigid, making them able to carry heavier loads. PP also maintains its rigidity in higher temperature environments and has good chemical resistance.

This particular resin is found in rigid and flexible packaging as well as large molded parts for automotive products. It’s more expensive than HDPE, but is often a better choice for certain products such as food packaging.

Properties of Polypropylene

* Flexural modulus of elasticity: 225,000
* Melting Temperature:  320 degrees Fahrenheit
* Specific Gravity: 0.91
* Izod Impact: 1.2

Combining HDPE & PP

Combining HDPE & PP allows molders to combine advantages of both polymers while keeping costs at a minimum.

Specifically:
* manufacturing pallets from recycled materials
* keeping the pallets durable and rigged
* Reducing material costs

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)

LDPE is a resin made from low-density oil and has very low tensile strength compared to HDPE and PP. It also has the ability to withstand temperatures of 80 degrees celsius and is known to be nearly unbreakable.

LDPE Properties

• Flexural modulus of elasticity: 200,000
• Melting Temperature: 266 degrees Fahrenheit
• Specific Gravity: 0.92
• Izod Impact: no break

Material Issues?

Each material has different properties which lead to different characteristics. The characteristics of the plastics determine which pallet is right for certain products. There is no right or wrong pallet, that’s why will choose the materials for you to provide pallets that are best for your needs and surpass your standards.

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 us to find the perfect pallet at the best price.

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).

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).

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).

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.

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.

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.

Buying Pallets With Surplus Year End Budget

The End Is Near – Are You Prepared?

*With 2019 quickly coming to a close, it’s important for all businesses to make sure they have taken advantage of their allotted spending for the year. That especially holds true for the plastic pallet industry.

*Using all of your plastic pallet budget by the end of the year enables optimal spending, while also allowing your business to prosper.

*At One Way we have pallet experts ready to assist you in making the most out of your plastic pallet budget by year’s end.

Why is this important? Because!

* Here at One Way Solutions, we offer top of the line pallets for all industries and purposes. Making the most of your plastic pallet budget with our products allows you to save money and stay stress free of shipping hassles. All of our products are fully export compliant and not subject to the ISPM-15 regulations, alleviating you of the anxiety of dealing with delays and other burdens.

*Utilizing your entire plastic pallet budget with One Way before the new year also leads to reducing your taxable income!

We Optimize Plastic Pallet Budgets

* One Way Solutions offers the best prices with reliable service. Your plastic pallet budget will be used efficiently especially around this time of the ending fiscal year. Make sure to take advantage of these prices as you can stock up on plastic pallets before the end of the year!

*We can also help you find the best shipping rates with our real time freight rating and optimizers. We will always find the best shipping rates because we have an extraordinary and caring team. Our sales team loves to help customers out specifically when it comes to saving client’s hard earned cash!

*Lastly, make sure to take advantage of our service to maximize your plastic pallet budget!

Top 4 Best Selling Pallets: For a Reason!

PP-O-40-NL7

This nestable light duty pallet is a fan favorite. We like to call it the muscle-car of all rackable pallets out there. It includes three permanent runners, which increases the strength. It can hold a dynamic capacity of 2,800 lbs. This pallet has great strength at the price of a light duty model.

PP-O-40-NM7

The NM7 is a plastic pallet gaining ground in popularity. This is due to the large dynamic capacity of 2,700 lbs. Along with the light duty pricing, similar to the NL7. The NM7 was engineered to endure heavy capacity while cutting down on weight of the pallet itself. Weighing in at 17 lbs. (super light) this pallet can do what many pallets this weight cannot achieve.

PP-O-40-SL7

The SL7 is commonly used for exports and storage while having seemingly endless additional uses. This pallet is very similar to the NL7 yet there is a key difference as his one os stackable. IT still has the same muscle-car pallet feel in regards to pricing and weight capacity capability.

PP-O-40-SM7

Much like the NM7, yet this one has three permanently attached runners to increase the strength and the stackable surface area. These will ship unassembled but assembly is extremely easy.

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!

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.

 

Shipping Pallets By Rail

Why are Intermodal Cars perfect for shipping Plastic Pallets by Rail?

Intermodal cars are long, strong, and down to get the friction on! 

– Sir Ships-A-Lot

Intermodal cars are:

• Long – Approximately 70 feet long, allowing them to easily transport 53′ containers full of plastic pallets. 
• Strong – they can carry gross weights of 220,000 lbs – that’s more pallet weight than we could hope to pack into a container. 

Blocking and Bracing

When loading a full truckload / rail car shipment, it is mandatory that you judge freight stability and take any measures required to prevent unwanted movement during transportation.

The process of shoring up loose pallet loads and empty space is called blocking and bracing.

During the blocking and bracing process, warehouse staff should cautiously load the container, position the pallets, and reinforcing the all packed goods to prevent any shifting, tipping, collapse, and falling does not accidentally occur during transport and delivery.

We Hope That Helps!

We hoped you enjoyed learning about the basics of shipping plastic pallets by rail – a great way to optimize the pallet’s journey from our dock to your dock – saving money by reducing freight to the most efficient method during each segment of transport.

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.

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.  

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.

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).

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.

Pallets Without PBDEs

We’ve received many inquiries from material handling professionals in the Food, Drug, and Pharmaceutical businesses who would like to know if we carry pallets without PBDEs and Deca-BDEs.

Do Our Pallets Contain PBDEs or Deca-BDEs? No Way!

None of the products sold by One Way Solutions LLC, including plastic pallets and plastic containers, contain polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs ) or deca-brominated diphenyl ethers (Deca-BDEs).

This also includes decabromodiphenyl oxide (DBDPO); this is also banned from our products and is NOT used in the pallets we offer.

Need a copy of our PBDE-free statement certifying that we only sell containers and pallets without PBDEs?

Download it here: PBDEs+DecaPBDEs-Blanket-Statement

What are PBDEs and Deca-BDEs?

Molecular Structure of PBDEs

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and deca-brominated diphenyl ethers (Deca-BDEs) are brominated hydrocarbons with a molecular structure that includes between 2 and 10 bromine atoms.

Wait, why not 1 bromine atom? Because ‘poly’ means many (more than 1).

Deca-BDEs have 10 bromine atoms.

What are PBDE & DecaPBDEs used for?

Clue: You’re getting warmer…

PBDEs are used as Flame Retardants.

Also: What is an FDA pallet?

Are PBDE & DecaPBDEs harmful?

Yes, PBDEs and DecaPBDEs are believed to cause reproductive and neurological risks to living creatures and are known to impact hormonal levels in the thyroid.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers are also toxic developing brains in utero.

Although not directly connected, liver cancer has been observed in mice exposed to higher levels of HBDPs.

Lower brominated PBDEs (less than 5 bromine atoms) are especially bad because they more easily bioaccumulate in living organisms.

Yes, PBDEs and DecaPBDEs are harmful and should be carefully avoided; it’s only logical that we refuse to sell pallets containing them.

We Hope That Helps!

We hoped you enjoyed learning about PBDEs and are product that they are completely absent from our plastic pallets and contains..

We’d love to hear from you – please let us know how other EPA & FDA regulations have created challenges to your operations.

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.

What is an FDA Pallet?

With food handling safety becoming an increasing concern, many of our food, beverage, and agricultural customers are requesting FDA plastic pallets.

Also: Was a Listeria outbreak caused by wood pallets?

A plastic FDA Pallet must be molded using virgin plastic resin and is most commonly blue in color.

Does The FDA Test Pallets?

No, the FDA does not test pallets and there is no FDA pallet testing facility.

What Is An FDA Approved Pallet?

What does a pallet need to do to receive FDA approval?

Well actually, the FDA does not approve pallets. They just provide guidelines / regulations to protect us.

If a pallet is manufactured following FDA guidelines, then it meets the FDA’s requirements and is considered to be an FDA approved pallet.

FDA Pallet Regulations

FDA Pallet Regulations specify that pallets must made using basic component materials approved for single and repeated use food contact surfaces in compliance with the FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION – FDA standard as set forth in Title 21 CFR 117.1630.

What Should I Do If My Pallets Need FDA Certification?

I need more reassurance or documentation if I buy FDA Pallets – what should I do?

One Way Solutions will gladly provide certification in the form of a statement that a specific pallet is constructed using 100% virgin polyethylene (HDPE), a basic component
material approved for single and repeated use with food contact surfaces in
compliance with the FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION – FDA standard as set forth
in Title 21 CFR 117.1630.

Why Blue FDA Pallets?

We don’t know for sure – but here are some theories:

• The blue color helps set the pallets apart in warehouse full of wood colored and black colored pallets.
• The FDA logo is sometimes blue.
• Blue is traditionally symbolic of purity (drinking water).

What we do know is that it’s exceedingly difficult to manufacture a recycled plastic pallet in any color other than black or a shade of grey. So Blue and other vibrant colors, are a mark of purity and provide a strong indication that virgin resin was used to produce a pallet.

Manufacturing FDA Pallets

The reason recycled plastic pallets are hard to produce in a blue color, is that recycled plastic raw materials are rarely separated by color; the stock materials are usually a mix of different colored plastic flakes resembling a bowl of Fruity Pebbles (or Flintstones vitamins – take your pick).

In most cases, if no plastic colorant is added, you’ll end up with a black or grey pallet. Most pallet molders add carbon black to even out the finish and provide a consistent color. For this reason, it’s a solid bet that any pallet color other than black was made using virgin resin.

Plastic Pallet Trivia

Ready for some trivia? Good! Now that you’re learning plastic pallet rules, you should know when to break them.

Pro Tip: There are Black FDA Pallets and Grey FDA Pallets!

Extra Pro Tip: FDA pallets are made in Beige, Black, Blue, Red, Green, Grey, and Yellow – colors to suit all all tastes.

Virgin Resin Benefits

Why do FDA Plastic Pallets require virgin resin materials? Because purity is the key.

Virgin plastic resin provides transparency and can be traced to its source. It is clean and free of any contaminants, a crucial requirement for the food, beverage, agricultural and pharmaceutical industries.

In contrast, the source of recycled plastic materials is a unknown or untracked, coming from sources as such as consumer milk jugs, industrial crates, chemical containers, packaging materials and thousands of others post-consumer products – including retired plastic pallets themselves!

We Hope That Helps!

We hoped you enjoyed learning about FDA pallets.

We’d love to hear from you – please let us know how FDA pallets have helped you solve challenges for your business in the comments below.

Need Help Selecting An FDA Pallet?

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

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

What Is A Rackable Pallet?

So glad you asked. When our Pallet Experts refer to a Rackable Pallet, it means the pallet has the ability to bridge the span of a warehouse racking system, while supporting a certain weight.

But what more is there to know about rackable pallets?

Well, rackable pallets are usually used for heavy duty loads because of greater load capacity requirements. The need for greater capacity impacts the design of the pallet. These increased requirements increase the weight of the pallet itself due to the additional structure on the pallet’s underside to hold the excessive pressure.

Mostly found in warehouses and distribution centers, Rackable Plastic Pallets help companies save money by efficiently taking advantage of warehouse space, allowing more goods to be removed from the floor and stored to optimize higher density storage capabilities.

Manufacturing of Rackable Pallets

Rackable Pallets are either injection molded, rotationally molded, or structurally foam molded.

But enough about molds.

These processes enable internal reinforcement to the pallets because let’s be honest, extra weight requires extra support.

(Keep in mind however, that most are made to handle an edge racked load without the necessary reinforcement.)

At the end of the day, the “structure” of pallets is important to factor in with regards to manufacturing because it impacts the requirements (which in turn, impacts the cost).

Structure of Rackable Pallets

There are quite a few different types of Rackable structures, depending on what kind of racking is taking place.

Full Frame Cruciform:

• Allows the pallet to be racked in both dimensions. This design has essentially six runners on the bottom of the pallet giving it more structure and support.

Three Runners:

• Only can be placed in the rack where the runners are perpendicular to the beams.

Here’s a hot tipse: the racking system in use (beam, edge, roller, push-back, flow, cantilever and supported) defines the requirements for the pallet’s base structure.

For example, a full frame cruciform bottom helps forklift operators target the pallet on an edge rack. A three runner may be better suited for a simple beam rack.

Rackable Pallets Carried by OWS

At One Way Solutions, we offer some of the most reliable plastic rackable pallets on the market today. While being extremely durable, they are designed to be safely and securely stored on racks, which allows our customers to efficiently use all possible warehouse space.

One Way also carries fire retardant and FDA approved rackable models for your specific needs.

To see our selection, visit our Rackable Pallets.

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.