Pallets are one of the most critical pieces of the supply chain puzzle. They help move food, medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and other essential products around the world daily. Today, there are nearly 2 billion pallets in circulation in the United States alone.
But did you know that wooden pallets boast the most benefits? As a small business owner tasked with shipping and logistics, it pays to understand why.
Here are just a few of the benefits:
- Wooden pallets are less expensive than plastic pallets
- They are made from a naturally renewable resource and have a smaller carbon footprint
- They can be manufactured faster than plastic and require less energy
- Their lifespan is longer because they can be repaired if needed
- Once they are past their prime, wooden pallets can be turned into mulch or recycled for many other uses
And the advantages over their plastic counterparts don’t stop there. Wood pallets are much more durable than plastic, come in many customizable sizes and configurations, and travel farther distances while bearing bigger loads.
For many companies, the environmental benefits alone make wood pallets the better choice. Let’s look at their life cycle in more detail.
Wooden products begin their lives as trees. Trees are beneficial to the environment in so many ways and act as natural air purifiers. Through photosynthesis, they remove carbon dioxide from the environment and replace it with oxygen. Pallets are made from both hard and softwoods, including oak, maple, beech, pine, spruce, and cedar. Some business owners purchase pallets outright while others may prefer to rent.
Over time, wood pallets sustain a lot of wear and tear. Luckily, they are easily repaired, thereby extending their longevity. Once they are no longer repairable, wood pallets are easily turned into many other useful products through recycling.
Gorgo Group is proud to offer pallet recycling through our ReNature Products division. Used pallets that can’t be rebuilt, head to their facility in Bridgeton, NJ. They are recycled into several mulch varieties for landscapers, garden facilities, and recreational commissions.
To learn more about the ways Gorgo Group can help extend the life cycle of your wooden pallets, get in touch today: (856) 692 – 0303.