USA Pallet + Warehousing, Inc

Wood Pallet Recycling vs. New Pallets: Which Is Better?

Wooden pallets are the main items in transporting, storage, and warehousing. Besides helping in protecting products, they facilitate the loading process and thus keep the supply chains going without any interruptions. However, the majority of enterprises that are confronted with the question of buying new or recycled pallets do not know which is the better option. 

​This​‍​‌‍​‍‌ in-depth manual explains the significant differences and praises the advantages of wood pallet recycling, thus allowing you to make the right choice based on the criteria: cost, duration of use, and ‍‍‍‍‍ecological friendliness. We will dive right ​‍​‌‍​‍‌in!

What Are Recycled Pallets?

Recycled pallets come from those used pallets that have been either fixed or reconstructed with the help of reused parts. Thus, they provide a less expensive and greener alternative. Although some of them might not have a fresh appearance, a lot of them are still capable of functioning in the normal way of the daily ​routine.

  • Condition-Based Multiple Grades

Recycled pallets that are recycled are graded—A, B, or C—depending on their state. Normally, Grade A pallets have only been mildly used, and, therefore, they can look like they are new, whereas the lower grades have obviously been worn or have been ‍mended.

  • Eco-Friendly Option

When​‍​‌‍​‍‌ pallets are recycled, the need for fresh lumber is reduced, and therefore, the amount of wood waste that is disposed of in landfills is lowered. It is a method through which businesses can comply with their sustainability goals and lessen their environmental footprint. ​‍​‌‍​‍‌

  • ​Reduced Price

Recycled​‍​‌‍​‍‌ pallets generally have a significantly lower price compared to new ones, which is why they are perfect for operations with a high turnover rate. In any case, they are usually dependable for quite a few shipping ​‍​‌‍​‍‌cycles.

What Are New Pallets?

New​‍​‌‍​‍‌ pallets are constructed from new wood that has not been previously utilized. They are composed of sanitary materials, providing a stable structure and strength of uniform quality. That is why they are an excellent option when functionality and cleanliness have to be ​‍​‌‍​‍‌maintained.

  • Treated, Untreated, or Fresh Wood

New​‍​‌‍​‍‌ pallets are made from fresh wood, which may be either treated or untreated, depending on the intended use. To comply with ISPM 15 standards, many new pallets are heat-treated for international shipping.

  • Reliable Construction Quality

These​‍​‌‍​‍‌ pallets are made according to exact design specifications and have not been damaged or worn in any way. Every single one is created to support particular weights and can be trusted for repeated ​‍​‌‍​‍‌use.

  • Perfect for Certain Industries

Whilst the food and pharmaceutical sectors demand new pallets due to safety and hygiene standards, the clean, uniform appearance is equally suited to retail displays and automated systems.

Strength and Longevity Compared

Durability​‍​‌‍​‍‌ is the factor that determines the time period a pallet can be used before it has to be repaired or replaced. Strength is the capacity of a pallet to hold a certain amount of weight without the risk of breaking. These two factors are very important when choosing the right kind of pallets for your ​‍​‌‍​‍‌company.

  • New Pallets Provide Consistent Strength

As​‍​‌‍​‍‌ a result of using fresh wood material, these pallets do not have any structural weaknesses or unverifiable cracks. Hence, their load-bearing capacity is not only stable but also can be easily anticipated from one piece to ​‍​‌‍​‍‌another.

  • Strength Variations in Recycled Pallets

Strength​‍​‌‍​‍‌ can vary from very good to average, depending on the grade and repair work. Some may have limitations on heavy loads or long-haul transport due to previous ​‍​‌‍​‍‌wear.

  • Comparing Lifespans

Usually,​‍​‌‍​‍‌ new pallets have a longer life because they are fresh. But a high-quality recycled pallet can also be successful in multiple trips if the right utilization and good storage are ​‍​‌‍​‍‌ensured.

Environmental Effects

Businesses​‍​‌‍​‍‌ are beginning to weigh the environmental consequences of their choices. Every pallet, whether it is new or recycled, carries a certain carbon footprint. Knowing these differences can be of great help if the goal is to continue implementing green business ​‍​‌‍​‍‌practices.

  • Reduce Waste with Recycled Pallets

The production of recycled pallets is a powerful tool for waste reduction goals, as giving used or old lumber a second life prevents it from ending up in landfills. It also encourages the circular use of ​‍​‌‍​‍‌materials.

  • Responsible Sourcing of New Pallets

There are manufacturers like USA Pallet & Warehousing Inc. that source wood from sustainably certified forests for their products. After reuse, these pallets are either recycled or repurposed, thereby reducing their overall impact.

  • Comparison of Carbon Footprints

The carbon footprint of recycled pallets is generally lower, as they do not require new logging or full-scale production. For companies that want to reduce their emissions, this is a significant ​‍​‌‍​‍‌advantage.

Comparing Costs: New vs. Recycled Pallets

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌ budget is usually among the first things that need to be considered when deciding on pallets. Each kind of pallet is a source of value, but in different ways. A comprehension of the cost structure is instrumental in facilitating a wise capital ​‍​‌‍​‍‌allocation.

  • First Purchase Price

Depending on demand and quality, recycled pallets can be between 30 and 50% less expensive than new pallets. Thus, companies that require large quantities can lower their initial costs ​‍​‌‍​‍‌considerably.

  • Costs of Replacement and Repair

New pallets usually have fewer early repair needs, which is a great time and labour saving. Meanwhile, recycled pallets might have to be repaired sooner, but can still be economically efficient if they are managed ​‍​‌‍​‍‌properly.

  • Cost Per Use

Recycled pallets could be a more cost-efficient option, step by step, if they are only used for short-term shipping or in-house storage. But it seems that new pallets will be a more trustworthy and cost-effective choice in the future for long-distance freight or heavy goods.

Learn more about achieving sustainable supply chains with refurbished pallets in our detailed guide: How Can You Achieve Zero-Waste Logistics with Refurbished Wooden Pallets?

 

Making the Right Choice: New vs. Recycled Pallets

Every business has different requirements based on the products they ship, the places they ship to, and the frequency of their shipments. The correct pallet type is that which matches the features of the pallet with those needs. Below are the instances in which a choice of each kind is ​‍​‌‍​‍‌made.

  • Choose New Pallets if: It’s a plus new pallets for shipping food, medicine, or fragile items where safety and consistency are of utmost importance. New pallets are also perfect for exporting when ISPM 15 compliance is ​‍​‌‍​‍‌required.
  • Choose Recycled Pallets if: You​‍​‌‍​‍‌ are handling limited budgets and do not require perfect pallets. They are excellent for local shipping, storage, or any kind of work where the appearance and consistency are of less ​‍​‌‍​‍‌value.

Debunking Myths About Recycled Pallets

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌ truth behind the most common misunderstandings is presented ​‍​‌‍​‍‌here:

  • Every Recycled Pallet Is Weak: It is not true that all recycled pallets are broken or weak. To give an instance, Grade A pallets are practically new and can work efficiently in most industrial ​‍​‌‍​‍‌environments.
  • Recycled Pallets Are Not Exportable: If the recycled pallets are heat-treated, they can be stamped for compliance in the same way as new ones. Thus, they can be shipped to foreign countries as long as they conform to the ISPM 15 ​‍​‌‍​‍‌standard.
  • Recycled Pallets Appear Unprofessional: Though a few may reflect the usage to some extent, a majority have been cleaned and mended to keep up with a decent appearance. In general, the internal condition of the operations is not of great ​importance.

The Bottom Line

​In​‍​‌‍​‍‌ short, the choice between new and recycled pallets is a question of prioritizing: is it the money, the lifetime of the product, or the environmental impact that matters to you most? Recycled wooden crates for sale will save both the planet and your wallet, while a new pallet will definitely be of stable quality for a longer time. ​‍​‌‍​‍‌

​If you require dependable products, USA Pallet & Warehousing Inc. is the place where you can get both new pallets and used wooden crates at a reasonable price, thus enabling you to maintain the smooth running of your business while being an environmental ​‍​‌‍​‍‌steward.

FAQs

How much are pallets worth to recycle?

Recycled​‍​‌‍​‍‌ pallet values are all over the map, with a couple of dollars for scrap wood and $5-$10+ for high-quality, standard-sized used pallets. Some of them change hands for $12-$25+ at the peak of the demand. On the other hand, the price of branded plastic ones may be set at ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌$2-$8.​

Where can I find recycled wooden crates for sale?

Used​‍​‌‍​‍‌ wooden box sales are available from a local pallet recycling company, via an online marketplace, or a packaging supplier, which is mainly into sustainable packaging ​‍​‌‍​‍‌solutions.

Does using recycled wooden pallets save money?

Yes.​‍​‌‍​‍‌ In general, it is more affordable to buy a recycled wooden crate than a new one. Besides, the recycled crates are usually strong enough to be used in storage or ​‍​‌‍​‍‌transport.

How does pallet recycling benefit the environment?

Wood​‍​‌‍​‍‌ pallet recycling is a sustainable choice that helps to reduce the demand for new timber, decreases waste in landfills, and limits carbon emissions resulting from the production of new ​‍​‌‍​‍‌pallets.

© 2023 USA Pallet + Warehousing, Inc.