If you need to ship or receive products you want the most efficient method for moving materials from one area to another and for loading and unloading trucks. Two cost-effective shipping systems in Wisconsin include plastic and used wooden pallets. One method may work better than others for your business and here is info to help you decide.
Wood
A wooden pallet is very sturdy and easy to use. In fact, when you invest in used wooden pallets in Wisconsin, you save a lot of money over the price of new pallets. This is also a cheaper option than going with plastic. On average, you can haul heavier materials with wood than with plastic. If a pallet breaks or has problems, it is not hard to make repairs.
There is a downside to using wood. For example, wood or metal pallet nails can damage goods with sharp edges. Also, wood burns easier than plastic, so it is a greater fire risk in some areas.
Plastic
Plastic is not porous like wood and does not absorb moisture or odors well. A plastic pallet cannot get water-logged nor does it provide a breeding ground for mold or mildew. This is an important consideration if you ship food or beverage items. To clean plastic, you only need to hose it down or use mild soap or detergent cleaners. Sterilizing plastic is easy too.
Plastic does not rot like wood. It does not attract insects, so there is no need for fumigation or heat treatment. Plastic is light in weight and can save you on shipping costs.
In some cases, you may want to consider used wooden pallets instead of plastic for your Wisconsin business. For instance, plastic cannot haul as much weight and may break under heavy loads. Plastic is not easily fixed or repaired either.