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16 Articles Available

Covering sustainability, compliance, sizing, materials, safety, cost savings, operations, buying guides, and industry trends

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01
SustainabilityFebruary 10, 20259 min read

Pallet Recycling Best Practices: A Complete Guide

Every year, approximately 350 million pallets end up in landfills across the United States, representing a staggering waste of wood fiber, embodied energy, and money. Businesses that implement pallet recycling programs typically see cost reductions of 40 to 60 percent compared to purchasing new pallets exclusively. This guide covers every aspect of setting up a successful recycling program, from establishing collection points and sorting procedures to partnering with a recycling provider and tracking your diversion metrics. We also discuss the three Rs of pallet management -- reuse, repair, and recycle -- and how cascading pallets through these stages extracts maximum value before any material is converted to mulch or biomass.

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ComplianceFebruary 3, 202512 min read

ISPM-15 Complete Guide: Everything You Need to Know

International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 is the single most important compliance requirement for any business shipping wood packaging materials across international borders. This comprehensive guide covers the history and rationale behind the standard, the approved treatment methods (heat treatment and methyl bromide fumigation), how to read and interpret the IPPC wheat-stalk stamp, which countries enforce the standard, common mistakes that lead to shipment rejection or destruction, the step-by-step process for bringing your pallets into compliance, and how to maintain proper documentation for customs inspections. Whether you are new to international shipping or a seasoned exporter, this guide ensures you never face a costly compliance failure.

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Buying GuideJanuary 27, 202510 min read

How to Choose the Right Pallet for Your Business

With dozens of pallet types, sizes, materials, and grades available, selecting the optimal pallet for your operation can feel overwhelming. The key is to match your pallet choice to your specific application requirements. This article walks you through a systematic decision framework that considers product weight and dimensions, racking system compatibility, handling equipment, shipping method (LTL, full truckload, intermodal, air freight), regulatory requirements, closed-loop versus open-loop supply chain, and total cost of ownership. We also provide a decision tree that helps you narrow down your options and identify the two or three best candidates for your situation, saving you time and preventing costly mismatches.

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Industry TrendsJanuary 20, 20258 min read

Pallet Industry Trends 2025: What to Expect This Year

The pallet industry is undergoing significant transformation driven by evolving supply chain demands, sustainability pressures, and technological innovation. In 2025, key trends include the continued growth of the repair and reuse sector as businesses prioritize circular economy practices, the expansion of pallet pooling models beyond traditional CHEP and PECO networks, increased adoption of IoT sensors and RFID tracking for pallet lifecycle management, growing demand for lightweight pallets in e-commerce and last-mile delivery, and tightening environmental regulations that favor recycled materials. We also examine how lumber price volatility, labor market challenges, and nearshoring trends are reshaping the competitive landscape for pallet suppliers and buyers alike.

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MaterialsJanuary 15, 202511 min read

Wood vs Plastic Pallets: A Comprehensive Comparison

The wood versus plastic debate is one of the most common decisions facing logistics managers. Wood pallets remain the dominant choice in North America, commanding roughly 93% of the market thanks to their low upfront cost, easy repairability, and high load capacity. Plastic pallets, on the other hand, offer advantages in hygiene-sensitive environments such as pharmaceutical and food processing facilities. They are lighter, impervious to moisture, and exempt from ISPM-15 phytosanitary requirements. However, plastic pallets cost three to five times more than their wood counterparts and cannot be repaired once damaged. This article provides a side-by-side comparison across 15 criteria including cost, weight, strength, hygiene, repairability, lifespan, environmental impact, and total cost of ownership to help you make the right choice.

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SafetyJanuary 8, 20257 min read

Pallet Safety Tips for Warehouses: Preventing Common Injuries

OSHA reports that pallet-related incidents account for tens of thousands of workplace injuries annually, ranging from minor splinter injuries to severe accidents involving forklift tip-overs caused by unstable pallet loads. This article provides a comprehensive safety guide for warehouse managers, covering pre-use inspection protocols, proper stacking height limits based on pallet condition and load weight, forklift operator training requirements specific to pallet handling, personal protective equipment recommendations, storage area organization best practices, fire code compliance for pallet storage zones, and the critical importance of establishing a clear reject-and-remove workflow for damaged pallets. Includes a downloadable safety checklist template your team can use immediately.

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Cost SavingsDecember 29, 20248 min read

Reducing Shipping Costs with Recycled Pallets

Shipping costs represent one of the largest operational expenses for businesses that move physical goods. Yet many companies overlook one of the simplest ways to reduce those costs: switching from new pallets to high-quality recycled pallets. A Grade B recycled pallet costs 30 to 50 percent less than a new pallet while delivering comparable performance for most shipping applications. Beyond the per-unit savings, recycled pallets can lower costs in several other ways: they reduce disposal fees for incoming pallets, they can be sold back to recyclers when no longer needed, and sourcing locally recycled pallets (rather than new pallets shipped from distant manufacturers) cuts transportation costs. This article breaks down the math with real-world examples and shows how companies have saved thousands to tens of thousands of dollars annually by incorporating recycled pallets into their supply chain.

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Buying GuideDecember 18, 20246 min read

Pallet Grading Explained: Understanding A, B, and C Grades

Pallet grades exist to standardize quality expectations and help buyers select the most cost-effective option for their specific application. Grade A pallets, sometimes called premium or number-one pallets, are in like-new condition with minimal wear, no structural repairs, and no staining. They are ideal for retail display, export shipments, pharmaceutical applications, and high-value goods where appearance and maximum structural integrity matter. Grade B pallets show moderate wear and may have been repaired but remain fully functional for most warehouse and shipping applications. Grade C pallets, also known as economy or number-three pallets, show significant wear and are best suited for single-use applications, heavy industrial settings, or situations where appearance is not a concern. This article explains the detailed criteria for each grade, provides photo examples, and helps you match grades to common use cases to avoid overspending on unnecessary quality.

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ComplianceDecember 10, 20249 min read

Heat Treatment Process Deep Dive: Inside an ISPM-15 Chamber

Heat treatment is the most widely used method for achieving ISPM-15 compliance for wood pallets used in international trade. But what actually happens inside a heat treatment chamber, and how can you be sure the process was done correctly? In this deep dive, we take you step by step through the entire treatment process: from pre-treatment inspection and moisture content measurement, through the loading and sealing of the treatment chamber, the carefully controlled heating cycle that brings the core temperature of every piece of wood to 56 degrees Celsius for a minimum of 30 minutes, the cooling and conditioning phase, and finally the stamping and documentation that certify the pallet for international use. We also discuss common problems that can occur during treatment, how to verify treatment quality, and the difference between heat treatment and kiln drying, which are often confused but serve different purposes.

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OperationsNovember 28, 202410 min read

Custom Pallet Design Guide: Building the Perfect Pallet

Not every product fits neatly on a standard 48x40 pallet. When your products have unique dimensions, weight requirements, handling needs, or regulatory constraints, a custom pallet design can significantly improve your supply chain efficiency. This guide covers the complete custom pallet design process, from the initial needs assessment (product dimensions, weight distribution, racking system, handling equipment, shipping mode) through material selection (lumber species, thickness, moisture content), structural engineering (load calculations, safety factors, deck board spacing), special features (notched stringers for automated handling, chamfered edges, heat treatment, branding), prototyping and testing, and finally production and quality control. We include real-world case studies showing how custom pallets reduced product damage by 30 to 50 percent and improved truck utilization by 10 to 15 percent for our clients.

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SustainabilityNovember 15, 20249 min read

Sustainable Supply Chain Practices: The Role of Pallets

Sustainability is no longer a niche concern in the packaging and logistics industry. Major retailers like Walmart, Amazon, and Costco have set ambitious zero-waste targets that cascade through their entire supply chain, including pallet and packaging vendors. Pallets represent one of the most tangible and impactful areas where businesses can improve their environmental performance. A comprehensive sustainable pallet strategy encompasses sourcing recycled and refurbished pallets, implementing pallet repair programs to extend lifespan, participating in pallet pooling systems that maximize reuse rates, tracking lifecycle carbon emissions for Scope 3 reporting, and ensuring end-of-life pallets are properly recycled rather than landfilled. This article also examines emerging trends such as blockchain-based pallet tracking, bio-based materials, and carbon offset programs tied to pallet recycling volumes.

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Industry TrendsNovember 2, 20248 min read

The Future of Pallet Logistics: Technology, Trends, and Transformation

The pallet industry is on the cusp of a technological revolution. IoT sensors embedded in pallets can now track location, temperature, humidity, and shock events in real time, providing unprecedented supply chain visibility. Blockchain-based systems create immutable records of each pallet's journey, enabling true lifecycle accounting and supporting circular economy initiatives. Automation in pallet manufacturing is driving consistency and reducing labor costs, while AI-powered sorting systems can grade pallets faster and more accurately than human inspectors. Looking ahead, we examine how 3D printing could enable on-demand pallet production, how drone-based inventory management might transform pallet yard operations, and how the convergence of these technologies will reshape the relationship between pallet suppliers and their customers over the next decade.

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SizingOctober 22, 20248 min read

The Complete Guide to Pallet Sizes: From GMA to Custom

The standard GMA pallet measures 48 inches by 40 inches and accounts for roughly 30% of all new wood pallets produced in the United States. But that is far from the only option. From the 42x42 telecommunications pallet to the 48x48 drum pallet, each size serves a specific logistical purpose. Understanding which dimensions match your products, racking systems, and shipping methods can save you significant money. In this guide, we break down every standard size recognized by the Grocery Manufacturers Association, explain the logic behind each dimension, and help you determine which pallet footprint is the most efficient choice for your operation. We also cover the EPAL/EUR standard (800mm x 1200mm) for businesses exporting to European markets.

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SafetyOctober 10, 20245 min read

5 Signs It's Time to Replace Your Pallets

Using damaged pallets is one of the most common and preventable causes of warehouse accidents, product damage, and supply chain disruptions. Knowing when a pallet has reached the end of its usable life is essential. The five key indicators to watch for are: broken or missing deck boards that compromise the load-bearing surface, cracked or split stringers that weaken the structural foundation, protruding nails or fasteners that pose injury risks and can damage products, excessive mold or contamination that disqualifies pallets from food and pharmaceutical use, and warping or sagging that prevents stable stacking. This article includes photo examples of each condition and provides guidance on when to repair versus when to retire a pallet from service.

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SustainabilitySeptember 28, 20249 min read

The Environmental Impact of Pallet Reuse

The pallet industry intersects with some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Manufacturing a single new wood pallet requires approximately 12 to 15 board feet of lumber, consumes energy in sawmilling and assembly, and generates transportation emissions. When that pallet is discarded after a single use, all of that embodied energy goes to waste. In contrast, extending a pallet's lifecycle through repair and reuse reduces the demand for virgin timber, keeps wood out of landfills where it produces methane as it decomposes, and slashes the carbon emissions associated with manufacturing. Studies show that a pallet reused five times reduces its per-use carbon footprint by over 70 percent compared to a single-use scenario. We provide a carbon calculator methodology so you can estimate the environmental impact of your own pallet program.

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OperationsSeptember 15, 20245 min read

How to Store Pallets Properly: Maximizing Lifespan and Safety

Improper pallet storage is a hidden source of waste, safety hazards, and code violations. Pallets stored outdoors without protection absorb moisture, warp, grow mold, and degrade far faster than properly stored pallets. Indoor storage is ideal but not always feasible given space constraints. When outdoor storage is necessary, pallets should be elevated off the ground on a gravel or concrete pad, covered with breathable tarps to shed rain while allowing air circulation, and rotated on a first-in first-out basis to prevent long-term weathering. Stack heights should be limited to six pallets for stability, and stacks should be spaced at least 18 inches apart to allow airflow and forklift access. This article also covers NFPA fire code requirements for pallet storage, including maximum storage heights, required clearances from sprinkler heads, and special provisions for indoor idle pallet storage areas.

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Article Categories

Sustainability

3 articles

Environmental impact, recycling benefits, and green supply chain practices

Compliance

2 articles

ISPM-15, heat treatment, international shipping regulations

Buying Guide

2 articles

Grades, quality selection, and procurement decision frameworks

Safety

2 articles

Warehouse safety protocols, pallet inspection, and injury prevention

Industry Trends

2 articles

Market outlook, technology adoption, and future of logistics

Materials

1 article

Wood, plastic, metal, and presswood comparisons

Operations

2 articles

Storage best practices, custom design, and handling efficiency

Sizing

1 article

Standard dimensions, GMA specifications, and custom sizing

Cost Savings

1 article

Reducing shipping and procurement expenses with smart pallet strategies

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