Pallets

Pallets for transport and storage make it easier to move and store containers and waste at collection points. They are a practical addition to the equipment of warehouses, household waste recycling centres and industrial plants.

Pallets are a standard part of internal logistics when handling large volumes of waste. Other items that make working with bins and containers easier can be found in the accessories section.

The load capacity and dimensions of a pallet should match the type of containers being stored and the way they are moved. A warehouse using forklift trucks has different requirements from a recycling centre where waste is mainly moved by hand. A robust construction means a longer service life under intensive daily use.

The choice between a wooden, plastic or metal pallet depends mainly on the type of load and the conditions at the collection point. Wooden pallets remain the cheapest and most versatile option for standard loads. Plastic pallets are well suited to locations where hygiene and moisture resistance matter, for example when storing containers of organic waste. Metal pallets are usually chosen for the heaviest loads, or where repeated, long-term use without the risk of cracking is required.

The pallet size standard should match the handling equipment already in use. A pallet whose dimensions do not suit the width of the forklift forks makes day-to-day warehouse work much harder and, in extreme cases, prevents the load from being moved safely. At household waste recycling centres, where pallets are often also carried by hand over short distances, a low tare weight can be a further advantage.

The load capacity stated by the manufacturer should cover not only the static load, when the pallet is stationary, but also the dynamic load that occurs when it is moved by forklift over the uneven surface of a storage yard. Choosing a load capacity that is too optimistic for the actual operating conditions leads to faster wear of the structure and a risk of failure under load.

In industrial plants with a high turnover of material, pallets often circulate in a closed loop between the loading point and the destination warehouse. In this setup, plastic pallets are worth considering, as they withstand repeated, intensive handling better than wood. Over time, wooden pallets develop cracks and splinters that make further safe use difficult.

Reusable pallets should be marked simply with a number or code assigned to a specific collection point. This makes it easier to track their circulation between the warehouse and individual sites and reduces the risk of part of the set going missing between transports.