Pallet construction targets efficiency, sustainability

The process of designing and building pallets for the shipping industry is carefully crafted and aimed at moving products of all types safely, cost-effectively, and with the least impact on our environment. Whether wood or plastic, GMA standard pallets and custom sized pallets are built to perform.

Pallet design

Wood pallets are made using a quality hardwood that can be relied upon for strength and integrity. The wood is cut to size and dried or heat treated to prevent warping and minimize the risk of rot and insect infestation.

Plastic pallets are usually made from copolymer polypropylene or high-density polyethylene resin. The pallet is then formed in one piece by extrusion, thermoforming, blow molding, or injection molding.

Pallet assembly

Because plastic pallets are molded as one piece, no assembly is needed. Wood pallets feature four components that are carefully assembled to form the pallet – top deck boards, stringers, base boards, and fasteners.

·         Top deck boards – Their thickness, width, and placement are dictated by the grade of pallet that is being built. Corners are assembled to be the strongest part of the pallet, with end lead boards of 6 inches or 4 inches to handle forklift use.

·         Stringers – These are considered the support or spine of the pallet, running perpendicular to the top boards. Standard pallets have three stringers.

·         Base boards – The bottom boards of a pallet provide additional support and are designed with consideration given to whether pallets will be conveyed or stacked. A GMA pallet typically has five unidirectional bottom boards.

·         Fasteners – Most pallets are assembled using threaded nails to prevent them from pulling through the boards. Since the type and size of nail will impact the pallet’s durability and strength, some pallets, especially those built for heavier loads, will use bolts as well as nails.

Once assembled or formed, both wood and plastic pallets are inspected to ensure they meet industry standards in terms of size, dimensions, soundness and structure.

Protecting the environment

Both wood and plastic pallets provide advantages in the effort towards eco-friendly practices and sustainability. At TriCounty Pallet, we buy and sell all types of pallets and provide a full circle recycling service for wood, plastic and cardboard.

Consider the following:

·         Wood is a renewable resource that also is fully biodegradable once it is beyond additional use in pallet construction.

·         Plastic pallets are often made with recycled materials and generally last much longer than wood products. They also are easy to clean, disinfect, and reuse.

·         Wood boards can be renewed and reused – at TCP we build custom pallets using reclaimed boards to save you money and reduce waste.

·         Plastic pallets are lightweight, with innovative designs allowing stacking that maximizes capacity every time you transport products.

·         Wood pallets are frequently recycled as furniture, home décor, and mulch.

Environmental responsibility is a critical part of pallet design and construction. At TriCounty Pallet we are pleased to provide a full complement of pallet services for the shipping industry. Contact us today for more information about buying, selling, and recycling pallets.