Why Wood Pallets Are Superior to Plastic Pallets for Shipping
If your business ships food, machinery, retail goods, or anything in between, you already know how important pallets are to your daily operations. But not all pallets are created equal. When it comes time to choose between wood and plastic, the decision might seem insignificant—until it starts impacting your bottom line.
No matter what you are shipping, wood pallets are the superior choice compared to alternatives like plastic. They’re more cost-effective, stronger, easier to repair, better for the environment, and customizable to your exact needs. Opting for wood pallets will save you time and money while sparing you the headaches often accompanying plastic pallets.
Below, we explain why wood pallets are the smarter option for your shipping needs.
Wood Pallets Cost Less and Save You Money
First and foremost, wood pallets are more affordable. If you're trying to keep your operating costs low, the upfront price of plastic pallets can be a deal-breaker. Wood pallets, new or used, are a fraction of the cost.
Even better, wood pallets are cheap to fix. If one breaks, you don’t have to throw the whole thing out. A couple of replacement boards can help restore the pallet to its original state. Repairing plastic pallets is not usually an option. Cracks and damage usually require a full replacement, which takes a toll on your overall expenses. Wood pallets are easier on your wallet initially and further down the road.
Wood Pallets Are Stronger and Hold More Weight
When it comes to strength, wood pallets are much more durable than plastic ones. They can handle heavy loads and tough shipping conditions without giving out. If you're shipping large, bulky, or dense items, you want a pallet that’s not going to crack or break during transit, which could affect your product.
Plastic pallets might look sleek, but they’re more prone to warping, bending, or becoming brittle over time, especially in colder states like Idaho, Utah, and Montana.
Since wood pallets are customizable, it’s easy to design them for heavy use. If you’re worried about the safety of your products during shipping, wood is your best bet.
You Can Repair Wooden Pallets Instead of Replacing Them
No matter how well your team treats your pallets, they will get beat up. Forklifts scrape them, loads shift around, and accidents happen. But when a wood pallet takes a hit, you can fix it. Swapping out a broken deck board or reinforcing a corner can make the pallet as good as new again.
Plastic pallets are not as forgiving. When one breaks, that’s usually the end of its lifespan. Most damage can’t be repaired, and you’ll have to replace the entire pallet.
If you regularly use pallets for shipping, the ability to repair instead of replace them can save your business thousands of dollars over time.
Wood Pallets Are More Eco-Friendly Than Plastic
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to both businesses and consumers. If being eco-friendly is a goal of yours, wood pallets are the ideal solution for your shipping needs.
Wood is natural and biodegradable. It breaks down on its own and won’t sit in a landfill forever with proper disposal.
Many wooden pallets are made from recycled or sustainably sourced wood. That means fewer lost trees and a smaller footprint. Challenger Pallet partners with suppliers who are continuously planting new trees to preserve the forests for future generations.
At the end of their life, wooden pallets can be repurposed or recycled into animal bedding, firewood, and more.
Plastic pallets are made from petroleum-based products and don’t biodegrade. When they break, they often just become landfill waste. Over time, this will be detrimental to the planet. This large volume of waste has already taken a serious toll on the environment.
You Can Customize Wood Pallets
One of the best things about wood pallets is how flexible they are. If you need a specific size, a unique weight capacity, or something to accommodate odd-shaped products, wood pallets can be built to exact specifications. At Challenger Pallet, we use the Pallet Design System (PDS) to ensure the pallets we build are perfect for your business.
Plastic pallets usually come in fixed sizes and designs, which can be limiting if your shipments don’t fit the standard mold.
Customization makes wooden pallets a smart and adaptable option for all kinds of businesses.
Wood Pallets Are Readily Available and Widely Accepted
Wood pallets are everywhere and convenient to access if your business has an urgent need. They’re used worldwide and are much easier to source in bulk than plastic.
Many international shipping regulations prefer or even require wooden pallets—especially if they’ve been heat-treated to meet ISPM 15 standards. That means fewer delays when your shipment crosses borders.
If you're in a pinch or planning to scale up, wood pallets are the easiest to obtain.
Wood Pallets Are Safer to Handle Than Plastic Ones
Believe it or not, wood pallets are often safer to use than plastic. The rougher surface of the wood gives you and your team a better hold, reducing the risk of slips and drops.
Wood pallets are also free of static electricity. Plastic pallets can build up large amounts of static due to friction, which is a serious hazard if you’re shipping electronics or working in certain industrial environments.
When a wood pallet breaks, it splinters, which is not ideal but still manageable. Plastic pallets can snap and leave behind sharp, jagged edges that can cause injury. Wood pallets offer peace of mind when it comes to safety in the warehouse or during transport.
Purchase Wood Pallets for Your Shipping Needs
At the end of the day, purchasing the right pallets for your business matters. Wood pallets are the optimal choice if you want an affordable, strong, repairable, eco-conscious, customizable, and easy-to-find solution. We serve small businesses and large organizations across the Intermountain West.
Contact Challenger Pallet today to get a quote, ask about delivery options, or stop by one of our locations. We’ll help you find the perfect wood pallets to keep your business moving forward.