Pallet Lifecycle Analysis
An independent pallet life cycle analysis conducted by Environmental Resources Management compared the environmental impact of iGPS plastic pallets with common multi-use wood pallets. This 2025 study, conducted in accordance with international standards, measured the ‘cradle-to-grave’ impact of the production, usage, and disposal of 3 pallet types—iGPS virgin pallets, iGPS recycled pallets, and multi-use wood pallets.
The study concluded that iGPS’ virgin and recycled plastic pallets have significantly less environmental impact than pooled multi-use wood pallets. Listed below are several ways iGPS pallets improve sustainability metrics:
When Comparing the iGPS Pallet & the Typical Multi-Use Wood Pallet:
Percentages represent the reduction in environmental impact of iGPS plastic pallets across key impact categories
22%
lower
Ozone Layer Depletion
28%
lower
Global Warming
27%
lower
Smog
11%
lower
Acidification
26%
lower
Marine Eutrophication
10%
lower
Ecotoxicity
- iGPS plastic pallets demonstrated lower environmental impacts than wood pallets across
most categories evaluated. - Life Cycle Assessments evaluate multiple environmental impact categories, providing a
more comprehensive view of environmental performance than carbon emissions alone.
Why iGPS Plastic Pallets are the Most Environmentally Responsible Pallets
Production
Newly manufactured iGPS pallets made from recycled plastic have a significantly lower impact on fossil fuel depletion than wood pallets.
As of the end of 2023, iGPS has purchased and/or recycled over 278 million pounds of post-consumer plastic to produce our pallets. Plastic that might have otherwise ended up in a landfill or ocean.
Usage
iGPS shipping platforms are up to 35% lighter than multi-use wood pallets and require less fuel and transport costs, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Stronger, safer, and greener iGPS plastic pallets are an ideal fit for pallet pooling, saving companies the expense and hassle of pallet management. iGPS’ “iDepots” help businesses optimize logistics and reduce their carbon emissions by lessening the average trip distance.
Disposal
A wood pallet can only make up to 25 trips across the supply chain before it is unusable and 16% ultimately end up in a landfill.
In comparison, iGPS plastic pallets complete 100+ trips across the supply chain before being recycled into “new” pallets, offering ‘cradle-to-cradle’ sustainability.