In the fast-paced world of food and beverage manufacturing, the pressure to slash operational costs while hitting ambitious sustainability targets is intense.
Every step in the supply chain is scrutinised for efficiency and environmental impact, however, the choice of pallets can make a huge difference.
These unsung heroes of logistics are pivotal in transporting goods from farm to shop floor. By choosing the right pallets, manufacturers can streamline operations and dramatically boost their sustainability credentials.
Traditional wooden pallets have long been the standard, but reusable plastic pallets have emerged as the superior choice in recent years, especially in terms of cost savings, reduced CO2 emissions, durability and compliance.
Here’s a detailed look at how plastic pallets can streamline operations and dramatically boost sustainability credentials.
Cost savings
When it comes to logistics, time is money. Traditional wooden pallets can be costly to buy, maintain and replace.
- Lower Transport Costs: On average, you can fit 540 wooden pallets per truckload, compared to 910 plastic pallets. Digipal Plastic Pallets are fully nestable, meaning they can be stored and transported more conveniently
- Lower Breakage Rate: Compared to the breakage rate of up to 25% for wooden pallets, their plastic counterparts boast a breakage rate of under 1%
- Pallet Pooling: With Digipal’s Pooling option, customers can have Plastic Pallets for a single use, which is often far less costly than it is to purchase a wooden pallet. We can also save our customers storage, admin and CapEx fees by providing the exact amount needed – when they’re needed.
Reduced CO2 emissions
Sustainability is a must for businesses in most industries right now. Making the switch to plastic pallets is a sustainable choice.
Here’s a detailed look at the sustainable benefits of reusable plastics in logistics.
- Lighter load: Plastic pallets are at least 10kg lighter than wooden one and with the nestable feature that some pallet manufactures provide you can store up to 69% more pallets per trip – further contributing towards reduced CO2
Digipal have supported one of our retail clients in removing over 15,000kg of CO₂e from their operations over 12 months just by simply switching from wooden pallets to Digipal Plastic Pallets.
- Reduced use of wood: According to Statista in September 2022, it was estimated that there are around 5 billion pallets in circulation – and 4.5 billion of those are said to be wooden. This means that 562,500,000 trees are felled per year, resulting in 14 billion metric tonnes of carbon emissions.
- 100% recyclable: Digipal Plastic Pallets are 100% recyclable and made from recycled material, meaning they form part of our circular economy, rather than contributing to waste.
Durability, Safety and Automation
Durability and safety are essential aspects of supply chain management, impacting both product integrity and worker safety:
- Sturdy Construction: Plastic pallets are designed to withstand extreme temperatures without warping, cracking, or splintering. This reduces the risk of product damage and worker injury from protruding nails or splinters common in wooden pallets.
Digipal Plastic Pallets can on average withstand up to 250 trips, compared with wooden alternatives that can only handle 10-15 trips.
- Lightweight and Strong: Despite being lightweight, plastic pallets are durable, making them easier and safer for workers to handle. This reduces the risk of injuries during manual handling and improves overall efficiency in the supply chain.
- No deviation in sizes: Due to higher breakage rates, wooden pallets need multiple inspections before they go through automation, which costs users time and money. Digipal Plastic Pallets have no deviations in size and the low damage rate means operational costs stay low too.
Traceability and Compliance
Traceability and compliance with food safety regulations are critical for maintaining product integrity and managing recalls effectively:
- IoT Compatibility: Digipal Plastic Pallets can be equipped with RFID or Wiliot Bluetooth tags, enabling efficient tracking and tracing of products throughout the supply chain. This aids in recall management and ensures compliance with food safety regulations like the Food Safety Order 1991.
Digipal’s Plastic Pallets come IoT-enabled to offer 100% visibility across your supply chains and a reduction in lost assets by 99%.
- Regulatory Compliance: Plastic pallets meet the strict hygiene requirements and regulations set by the Food Standards Agency and other food safety authorities for materials in direct contact with food products. This ensures that the pallets are safe and compliant with industry standards.
Pest and Pathogen Resistance
Plastic pallets offer resistance against pests and pathogens, a crucial factor in maintaining food safety:
- Pest-Proof: Unlike wooden pallets, plastic pallets are resistant to pests like insects and rodents that can carry pathogens and contaminate food products.
- Mould and Fungi Resistant: Just like with bacteria, the non-porous surface of plastic pallets prevents the growth of mould, fungi, and other microorganisms that can compromise food safety.
- Hygenic: Plastic pallets come with the added benefit that they can be easily cleaned without risking the integrity of the material – making them the ideal solution for fresh food supply chains.
By offering superior cost savings, durability, and traceability compared to traditional wooden pallets, plastic pallets play a crucial role in enhancing food safety, preventing contamination, and ensuring compliance with industry standards in the food and beverage supply chain.
As the industry continues to evolve, adopting plastic pallets can provide you with a competitive edge, ensuring that products reach consumers safely and efficiently.
If you’d like to learn more about the sustainable benefits of reusable plastic pallets, then click here to read this article on The Sustainable Benefits of Reusable Plastics in Logistics – or for more information on asset tracking and Pallet Pooling, visit our News & Insights page.