Global business owners understand that wooden pallets are one of the most common ways to ship and distribute products.
If you’re new to the world of wooden pallets, then there might be a few things you are unaware of surrounding buying and using wood pallets.
In this post, we will look closely at the five main things you should know and consider before you start ordering wooden pallets from us.
1. ISO Standards
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is in charge of sanctioning the dimensions for international shipping. These dimensions vary from country to country.
In North America, for example, the dimensions are 48.00 x 40.00and 1219 x 1016. In Europe and Asia, the dimensions are 39.37 x 47.24 and 1000 x 1200. In Australia, the dimensions are 44.88 x 44.88and 1140 x1140.
The standardized pallet size popularized by the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) is 48” x 40” and was set there because it was far more effective for shipping oversized pallets.
The ISO must be met when shipping internationally. Keeping this in mind when buying wood pallets is very important.
2. Most Wooden Pallets Are Made from Recycled Wood
Another essential element of pallets is that they are most often made from recycled wood. For the most part, no new trees are cut down to make a wooden pallet when you order. The wood used for pallets is a by-product of the leftover wood used to make furniture and homes.
Additionally, pallets have one of the highest recycling rates of virtually all packaging materials. 95% of pallets have been recycled or repurposed into wood pellets, mulch, boiler fuel, and even animal bedding and don’t make their way into a landfill.
Some experts even claim that wood pallets save something like 2.81 Co2 emissions per month. That’s equivalent to taking ten cars off the road.
3. They Have Different Grades of Durability
The durability of a wooden pallet is very essential. Wooden pallets must be strong enough to manage different types of products. , For example, if you’re trying to ship heavy machinery parts on pallets—you need to be sure that the pallets you use can safely handle the weight.
That’s why different pallets have different grades of durability. Used wood pallets typically fall into Grade A and Grade B categories for shipment.
Grade A is categorized for shipping food, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. They can handle heavier weights and are considered durable as freshly made wood pallets.
Grade B is equally premium, but they have also been repaired to be used again. They are entirely functional and look good enough for retail use, but they are not altogether new like Grade A pallets.
4. Stamps & Markings
Another important thing you need to know about wooden pallets is that they come with various stamps and markings, and those vary from pallet to pallet.
In most cases, the markings you see on pallets indicate where the pallets were utilized and what, if any, treatments have been applied.
Some abbreviations associated with pallets include KN for Kiln-dried, MB for methyl bromide or pesticide, HT for heat-treated, and DB for debarked.
Not sure what your pallet stamps mean? Then it’s a good idea to get familiarized with pallet stamps prior to purchasing them, as there may be a chance that they don't meet shipping requirements or could contaminate your shipments."
5. Wood Pallets Have A Long Lifecycle
Finally, wood pallets have a longer lifecycle than you might expect. At ten years with limited repairs, wooden pallets are the best investment for companies looking to distribute their products. Also, plastic is not biodegradable and is more difficult to repurpose.
Contact Us for Premium Quality Wooden Pallets
When you need to purchase wooden pallets, contact Packaging One, we offer high-quality wooden pallets that meet international standards for various shipping purposes.
Reach out to our team to learn more about our wooden pallets and how they can serve your business.