Plastic Pallet Glossary:
A Customer’s Guide to Common Terms.

As Seen On

🧱 Basic Pallet Features

Plastic Pallet

A strong, reusable platform made of plastic used to store and move goods safely and efficiently.

The flat top surface where products are placed.

  • Solid Deck – Smooth and closed; easy to clean
  • Ventilated Deck – Open slats or holes for airflow and lighter weight

Fits inside other pallets when empty to save space—great for shipping returns and compact storage.

Built with a solid bottom or legs to stack safely when loaded.

Designed to sit across warehouse racking beams without sagging—ideal for storing heavy loads.

Lower-cost pallet for a single-use shipment or export—lightweight and disposable.

Built tough for long-term use across many shipping cycles—saves money over time.

📦 Load Types & Handling

Static Load

Maximum weight the pallet can hold while sitting still.

Weight the pallet can carry while being moved by a forklift or pallet jack.

Weight it can support while resting only at its ends (i.e., on a rack without center support).

Can be lifted from all four sides—easier for forklift or pallet jack access.

A standard 48″ x 40″ pallet size used widely in grocery and retail supply chains.

A full-bottom frame that increases strength and allows easy stacking or racking.

Beveled edges that make fork entry smoother and reduce damage.

A modular, foldable frame placed on a pallet to create a box-like enclosure.

🧪 Types of Plastic Used in Pallets

HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene
  • Strong, impact-resistant
  • Resists moisture, chemicals, and UV light
  • Works well in cold storage
    Best for: Food, pharma, cold storage
  • More heat-resistant and rigid than HDPE
  • May become brittle in cold climates
    Best for: High-temperature environments, heavy-duty tasks 
  • Made from reused plastic
  • Cost-effective and eco-friendly
    Best for: One-way shipping, non-sensitive goods
  • Unused, high-purity material
  • Required for FDA/USDA compliance
    Best for: Direct food contact, pharma, medical use
  • Engineered plastic mixtures
  • Tuned for specific durability or flexibility needs
    Best for: Specialized or custom pallet uses

♻️ Special Features & Systems

Injection Molded

Plastic is injected into a mold under pressure—makes high-strength, consistent pallets.

Foamed plastic creates a lightweight but strong pallet—ideal for durability without bulk.

Heated plastic sheets shaped over a mold—common for lightweight, lower-cost pallets.

Safe for direct contact with food or medical products—meets government standards.

A system where pallets circulate between the same facilities and are reused repeatedly.

Built-in chips allow pallets to be tracked and traced in real time.

Rubber inserts or textured surfaces that help prevent loads from sliding off during transport.