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Can I Store Pallets Outside

Can I Store Pallets Outside

We get this question all the time:

Can I store pallets outside?

It’s a great question – and we’ve got the answers to help decide what works best for your warehouse.

Where To Store Those Pallets!

Storing empty pallets inside your warehouse, where space is precious, presents challenges.

Maybe you’re increasing inventory levels for your finished goods to get ready for your (hopefully) busy season?

Maybe you’re just running out of room in general?

If your storage equipment isn’t being used and is taking up limited space, you may be considering storing it outside, subjecting it to the elements.

Storing Pallets Outside

Storing Pallets Outside

But is this the right thing to do?

Great Question! The answer is not as straightforward as you might think –  but we can break down your decision points to help you find what works best for your situation.

The Greatest Advice For Storing Pallets Outside

First, let me share one of the best pieces of advice when you have no option but to store pallets outside – because sometimes you don’t have a choice!

FIFO – First In, First Out

Use a FIFO (First In First Out) material flow by moving pallets that have been outdoors for the longest period of time indoors and into your indoor production environment.

This way pallets that have been outdoors the longest get a break at the earliest opportunity.

Should You Store Pallets Outside?

Considerations

There are many decision points involved and factor to consider when assessing if storing pallets outdoors is a good solution for your material handling operation.

We’re going to focus on two important factors:

* Pallet Material
* Security

Pallet Material

A pallet’s material may make it more or less suited for outdoor storage. We’ll focus on wood pallets vs plastic pallets.

Storing Wood Pallets Outside

Storing wood pallets outside presents a unique set of challenges, especially in moist and rainy climates. Moisture can cause pallet boards to swell (displacing nails) and rot prematurely.

Rotten pallets can fail unexpectedly and may result in injuries, inventory damage, and operational inefficiency.

Rotting Wood Pallet

Rotting Wood Pallet

Using tarps to protect wood pallets from rain can help. However, care must be taken not to limit airflow that can otherwise trap moisture and prevent it from being carrier away from stored pallets.

If storing wood pallets outside is your only option, make sure to follow these simple tips:

* Elevate Wood Pallets from the ground to reduce moisture from wet surfaces
* Allow Proper Airflow by stacking pallets with sufficient space surrounding them
* Use a tarp to divert rain from contact with the wood pallets (but without limiting airflow)

Storing Plastic Pallets Outside – Works Pretty Well!

Generally speaking, plastic pallets are able to withstand much more exposure to the elements than wood pallets.

Over time, UV Light in sun’s rays can weaken the plastic material, but this is a slow process that can be drastically reduced with tarps and other placement strategies that limit pallet exposure to direct sunlight.

So generally speaking, plastic pallets are particularly well-suited for outdoor storage.

But there’s a catch – make sure the pallets are not made of ACM material. Pallets made from ACM material will lose some integrity when wet.

Make sure to buy pallets made from HDPE, because plastic pallets made from high density polyethylene will not react to exposure to rain, water, and moisture in the air.

How Long can Plastic Pallets survive outdoors?

There is no known study on the impact of storing plastic pallets outside. To maximize the useful life of your pallets, try to limit exposure to extreme temperatures.

Security

Another important factor to consider when storing pallets outdoors is security. Like any asset, pallets can walk away on their own. So if you have to store them outside, it is ideal to do so in a fenced or gated area.

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.

Wood, Metal or Plastic Pallets – What’s right for you?

Are Plastic Pallets, Metal, or Wood best for you? Take our pallet Quiz!

Choosing the best pallet for your warehouse is an important decision.

Will Wood, Metal or Plastic Pallets be right for you? We can help.

Take our quick Pallet Quiz and for our recommendation on the best pallet for your needs.

Can’t decide on Wood, Metal or Plastic Pallets – We Can Help!

Please contact us to see if Wood, Metal or Plastic Pallets are right for your application.

About Robin Kiefer

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

How Long Do Plastic Pallets Last?

How Long Do Plastic Pallets Last

How long do plastic pallets last?

That’s the $64,000 question in our industry. Predicting a plastic pallet’s lifespan is both simple and impossible to determine.

Pallet Lifespan - How Long Do Plastic Pallets Last?

How Long Do Plastic Pallets Last?

What Is the lifespan of a plastic Pallet?

The Simple Answer

Plastic Pallets last forever!

Disclaimer: The claim that plastic pallets last forever assumes the following

  • the pallet is not stored in the sunlight
  • the pallet is not lost or intentionally damaged
  • the pallet is always loaded properly within specifications
  • the pallet is always handled perfectly

The Impossible Answer

A Plastic Pallet’s Lifespan? It depends!

Plastic Pallets last forever if… there are a lot of “ifs”.

  • Pallet lifespan depends on the users application and handling practices:
  • It’s also important to make sure the pallet being used is appropriate for the application.
  • Often times, the cheapest pallet can become the most expensive, hiding the true expense of using a pallet that is not up to the task. After all, you must you consider product damage/loss due to overloading or improper use.

Reality Check

Neither answer is really helpful in the real world of material handling.

However, we do know that when the right pallet is selected for an application and it’s handled appropriately, it will outlast a wood pallet many times over.

At One Way Solutions, we’ve seen pallets in active use that were produced more than a decade ago.

The Bottom Line Pro Tip

Treat your plastic pallets well and they will return the favor- they’ll last longer and you’ll save money by drastically reducing the frequency of pallet replacement.

Happy Warehouse - Happy Plastic Pallets

What do you think?

We value your option and pallet expertise!

  • How long have your pallets lasted?
  • What handling tricks have increased pallet lifespan?

Please leave your comments below and contact us for assistance on finding the perfect plastic pallet for the right 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 vs. CHEP

On June 18, NPR’s Planet Money did a story on CHEP and their “better blue pallets” that are reinventing the pallet industry.

They wondered whether anyone could build a better pallet. Like the mousetrap and the paperclip, it seemed that the design was flawless and could not improve anymore.

They briefly mentioned plastic pallets at the end of the podcast, saying that a company that creates plastic pallets with RFID tracking went bankrupt. As if one company represented the industry as a whole.

Not only that, but this was later corrected as the company was sold to investors after it went into bankruptcy protection and is currently still in business.

Whatever innovative designs appear to change the pallet industry, the design does not dictate material used to build it.  Don’t let the pitchforks, torches, and crazy mob make you think otherwise. Continue reading

About Brian Pigott

Brian Pigott is an engineer and customer-centric entrepreneur. Brian is the Managing Director of One Way Solutions.

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