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.

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 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

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.

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.

You Can’t Ship Without Pallets

Pallets are one of the most important material handling tools of the food and agricultural industries.

Whether plastic or wood, pallets are essential for transporting, storing, and protecting goods throughout the supply chain. Different types of pallets offer specific benefits others can’t compete with – so choosing the correct pallet ultimately depends on the products or payload you are shipping and the unique characteristics of you industry or application.

Some industries maintain strict handling standards to meet regulations designed to protect consumers. For example, the Food and Agricultural industries demand for proper sanitation has led to strict regulations for shipping food products to reduce the likelihood of contamination.

Outbreaks of foodborne illnesses linked to contaminated wood pallets provided additional need for improved practices – and led to additional regulation.

 

Food And Agricultural Industries

 

Food and Agricultural industry products are a part of all of our lives and play an important role in maintaining public health. The need for sanitation and safety is even greater as a result. Many businesses in this industry are switching to plastic pallets from wood in order to reduce the chance of contamination.

Plastic pallets protect finished goods and organic materials used to produce them from contamination and spoilage from pests.

Some examples of companies in the Food and Agricultural Industry are:

* Breweries & Wineries
* Fruit & Vegetable Farms
* Grocery Stores
* Livestock Farms
* Pharmaceutical Companies
* Dairies
* Cheesemakers
* Slaughterhouses
* Restaurants
* Commercial Kitchens
* Granaries
* Tree & Plant Nurseries

Contamination Concerns in the Food and Agricultural Industry

 

Recently, we have seen many foodborne illness outbreaks due to these contaminations. Some of the outbreaks have caused human fatalities.

* Since 2016, there have been 3 instances of hepatitis A outbreaks linked to frozen tuna and strawberries along with raw scallops.

* In 2015, we saw a listeria outbreak in the ice cream company Blue Bell that unfortunately took some lives.

Wood Pallets used in the Food and Agricultural Industry

 

Wooden pallets are notorious for harboring pathogens which can create these illnesses and are unsafe for food handling. Wood pallets have splinters and nails which puncture and injure.

In order to use these wood pallets, the pallets need to comply with the ISPM-15 regulations that include processes that include heat treatment or fumigation.

Unfortunately, treatments make wood susceptible to mold and toxins. In fact, many recent healthcare recalls are due to the toxic chemicals used to treat wooden pallets. The Blue Bell listeria outbreak is linked unsanitary wood pallets.

Not surprisingly, the problems with the wood pallets have given rise to companies using plastic pallets in the food and agricultural industry.

Plastic Pallets in the Food and Agricultural Industry

 

The solution to cutting down contamination problems in the food and agricultural industry is by using plastic pallets. Since the demand for hygiene in the industry is so high, it only makes sense to use pallets that provide unbeatable resistance to contamination and are easy to sanitize.

Using plastic pallets relieves the stress caused by industry regulations and less consistent means of moving goods. What do we mean by this?

Consider The Following: Our plastic pallet customers don’t worry about ISPM-15 certifications.

Using plastic pallets allows for automatic exemptions from export pallet regulations that are enforced by the USDA on all wooden pallets. Besides the USDA’s regulations,  the FDA just finalized its ruling on the transportation of Human and Animal food.

Food Safety Modernization Act

 

The FDA just finalized the FSMA on the sanitary transportation of human and animal foods. This is in effort to protect foods coming from farms to being consumed during transit. The goal of the rule is to prevent practices during transportation that create risks to the safety of the food.

Common practices include, failure to properly refrigerate food, inadequate cleaning of vehicles between loads and failure to properly protect food. Requirements have been created for carriers by motor or rail vehicles, loaders, shippers and receivers involved to ensure the safety of the foods during transportation. There are four main key requirements to the Act.

Vehicles and Transportation

The rule requires all vehicles and transportation equipment to not cause the food it transports to become contaminated. All vehicles and equipment used in transportation need to be adequately cleanable for their intended use.

Transportation Operations

Transportation operations are measurements such as adequate temperature controls, preventing of ready to eat food from touching raw food so it doesn’t get contaminated, protecting food from nonfood items and finally keeping food away from cross contact, like that of a food allergen.

Training

There now will be required training of all personnel in sanitary transportation practices as well as documenting the training. The carriers who are covered by the new rules are responsible for providing the food safety training to the personnel.

Records

Records of agreements, training and written procedures are now required.

FDA Approved Pallets

 

The ultimate plastic pallet for handling food and agricultural products are products that meet FDA regulations.

FDA Product are made from 100% virgin plastic resins for the ultimate in safe handling and FDA compliance.

One Way Solutions offers FDA approved plastic pallets that can be used for storing food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. Our FDA pallets come in rackable and stackable options while also meeting FDA fire retardant requirements. These FDA pallets are available in blue, black, yellow, green, grey, red and beige.

Already Using Plastic Pallets?

 

How have you overcome your warehousing and transportation challenges using food and agricultural pallets?

Please let us know in the comments below.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What’s our Cheapest Plastic Pallet?

To be honest, that’s a tough question. But I understand why you’re asking!

But first, a bit of pallet advice:

The cheapest plastic pallet isn’t necessarily the best plastic pallet for your application!

Considering that approximately 100 people per year die from forklift/pallet injuries, making sure that the pallet we sell is sufficient for it’s application is something we take seriously.

In the past 15 years, there have been dozens of customers that have not taken our pallet advice, only to regret it later. Fortunately, these cases resulted in an exchange for a more durable pallet and were not the result of an injury.

Just Answer The Question!

If we put aside the issue of application and look purely at price, we have several plastic pallets that match the ‘up front’ pricing of wood pallets. I say ‘up front’ because plastic pallets also have less tangible cost savings.

What are the hidden plastic pallet savings?

• freight cost savings
• lower frequency of replacement
• potentially lower insurance premiums
• less operations down time due to injury (due to nails and splinters commonly caused by wood pallets)
• less product damage (again, no nails / splinters)
• reduced risk of product and contamination (vital for food and pharmaceuticals)

Lower Freight Costs

Because plastic pallets often weigh less than wood pallets, it costs less money to ship them to your warehouse and to your customers.

Lower Frequency Of Replacement

Plastic pallet durability is excellent, often outlasting wood pallets. The longer plastic pallet lifespan means you will replace them less frequently- and buying less often saves you money!

OK! But what are your cheapest plastic pallets?

All of our pallets are priced competitively, but I’d like to mention one pallet that stands out in our pallet catalog.

Meet the NL7, our cheapest plastic pallet!

Our least expensive pallet is the # PP-O-40-N7 40×48 Nestable Open Deck Light Duty Plastic Pallet. We offer higher quantities of the NL7 for less $8 per unit, and it weighs less than 13 lbs.

Pro Tip: less weight means less pallet resin material, that’s less cost for our customers!

One Way Solutions designed the NL7 plastic pallet to have the lowest possible weight with a high load capacity sufficient for many applications and widespread use. It’s weight to capacity ratio is among the highest in our product offering.

Right Pallet, Right Price, Right Time, Right Way!

At One Way Solutions, we strive to find cost savings at every opportunity so that we can pass these savings onto our customers. Combined with unparalleled service, we continue to build repeat business as loyal customers return for their plastic pallet needs.

Our very first customer in 2003 is still a current customer today.

We Can Help!

Please contact us for pricing or info on any of our plastic pallets, including our cheapest one.

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 →