Facts About Pallets

Pallets are made from several materials:

• Softwoods, the most common type of pallet, are the cheapest to create and are often considered to be “expendable” – meaning they end up in the trash once they reach their destination.
• Hardwood pallets and those made of plastic or metal are slightly more expensive and end up being resold or returned to the sender once the load has been delivered.
• Made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and high density polyethylene (HDPE), plastic pallets account for approximately two percent of those made. They cost more but are more durable than wooden pallets.
• Metal pallets, typically made from steel or aluminum, make up less than one percent of the pallet market but are best used for transporting hazardous waste.
• New to the industry in the past 15 years are paper pallets, which are made from corrugated cardboard and molded wood pulp, making them much lighter than other types of pallets.