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What Are Plastic Pallets Used for and When Should You Use Them?
Plastic pallets are rapidly becoming the platform of choice for many companies. As supply chain managers see them used more and more frequently in place of traditional wood pallets, they may wonder what plastic pallets are used for, when they should be used, and what logistics problems they solve. The short answer is that plastic…
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How to Dispose of Pallets
ARTICLE UPDATED ON JULY 17, 2024 To dispose of pallets, offer them for free to DIY enthusiasts or find a bulk buyer. Recycle them by turning the wood into mulch or donate to a recycling facility where they can be repaired or mulched. If pallets are severely damaged and non-recyclable, disposal at a landfill may…
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How to Keep Track of Pallets: Tips on Tracking and Managing Assets
If you’re wondering how to keep track of pallets, you’re not alone. The ability to keep tabs on a pallet of goods as it moves through the supply chain is an enormous advantage for many industries, particularly those dealing with sensitive or perishable products, such as pharmaceuticals or fresh food. And as regulations mandating traceability…
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5 Ways to Increase Traceability in the Food Industry
Food producers, grocery stores, and restaurants are increasingly concerned about traceability in the food industry for two big reasons: they want to be able to assure customers that products are safe if an outbreak of foodborne illness or contamination occurs, and they need to be able to quickly remove unsafe food from their shelves and…
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Supply Chain Management for the Circular Economy: Reducing Waste and Lowering Costs
Supply chain management in the circular economy focuses on eliminating waste to improve operational efficiency and cut costs. Finding opportunities to create and support a circular supply chain requires that businesses audit their processes, labor pools, and the tools that support them. By reviewing these elements with a critical eye, most supply chain managers will…
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The 4-Way vs. the 2-Way Pallet: How to Choose a Pallet Type
ARTICLE UPDATED ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 The 4-Way vs. The 2-Way Pallet: How to Choose a Pallet Type When comparing the 4-way pallet to the 2-way pallet, it becomes evident that their main distinction lies in the forklift entry capability. The 2-way pallet can only be accessed by a forklift from two sides, whereas the…
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Reducing Food Waste in the Supply Chain
Food waste is a growing problem. It’s estimated that by 2030, total annual losses due to food waste could reach $1.5 trillion globally. Misuse of resources is one part of this problem, as when manufacturers overproduce or overstock items that go bad before sale. However, much of this food waste takes place before products ever…
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The Disadvantages of Wood Pallets: Why Wood Isn’t for Everyone
Anyone who has worked in logistics knows that wood pallets have their place in the supply chain and always will. However, the disadvantages of wood pallets are clear, especially in highly regulated industries like food and pharmaceuticals. In these cases, switching from wood to an alternative pallet material like plastic can reduce the likelihood of…
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How Much Do Wood Pallets Cost?
ARTICLE UPDATED ON MAY 18, 2023 How Much Do Wood Pallets Cost? Wood pallets have traditionally been the most common type of shipping pallet used throughout the supply chain. However, when analyzing the best pallet for an efficient and cost-effective supply chain, many manufacturers and logistics companies are rethinking their use of wood pallets. To…
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Hardwood Pallets Vs. Pine Pallets: Which One Is Right for Your Business?
ARTICLE UPDATED NOVEMBER 30, 2023 When comparing hardwood pallets to pine platforms, the typical dilemma revolves around the trade-off between durability and affordability. Hardwood offers superior longevity, while softwoods like pine are inexpensive, often leading to the use of lightweight stringer pallets that are discarded after a single use at the end of the supply…
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How Improving Supply Chain Visibility Via Technology Keeps You Competitive
Thirty years ago, before ecommerce existed, if you decided to buy something you saw advertised on television, you’d quickly write down the number to call, give your information to the operators on the phone, and four to six weeks later–after you’d forgotten all about it–the product you’d ordered would arrive. Today, to get the same…
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Tips and Tricks for Managing Pallet Inventory
ARTICLE UPDATED ON FEBRUARY 1, 2024 Though often overlooked, pallets are silent powerhouses underpinning the vast U.S. supply chain. Each year, millions of new pallets are produced to replace those lost or damaged in transit. There are currently more than 1.8 billion pallets constantly in motion across the country. This massive flow presents a significant challenge for…