The Drawbacks You Need to Know Before Making the Switch
Plastic pallets have gained popularity in recent years due to their durability, uniformity, and resistance to moisture. Before jumping on the plastic pallet bandwagon, it’s important to weigh the possible downsides. While plastic pallets offer many advantages, they also come with challenges that can impact cost, operations, and sustainability. Here’s a breakdown of what’s often overlooked.
High Upfront Cost for Heavy Duty Plastic Pallets
Plastic pallets are significantly more expensive than their wooden counterparts — often costing 3 to 5 times more per unit. For operations with high pallet turnover or limited budgets, this initial investment can quickly add up, especially if pallets are lost, stolen, or not returned.
Limited Repair Options
Unlike wood pallets, which can be easily repaired with replacement boards, plastic pallets are difficult — and often impossible — to fix once damaged. A single crack or structural failure can render the pallet unusable, resulting in a total loss rather than repairable asset. We do offer repair services at our facility and can save you considerable money.
Compatibility Issues
Plastic pallets don’t always play well with every system. Their dimensions, weight, or design can pose problems in racking systems, automated warehouses, and export scenarios that favor standardized or custom-sized wood pallets.
Call today at 877-651-7816 to talk to a Pro and see if plastic pallets are an option for you.