Plastic Packaging: Thermoformed Plastic Trays and Plastic Pallets - 10 Money Saving Tips You Can Use Right Now!
When we think of plastic packaging, the first thing that comes to mind may be polystyrene and polypropylene drink containers that litter beaches and consume landfill space. However, there are many types of plastics with a variety of purposes, some which are recyclable and others which may not be. Today I am going to be talking about some facts about plastic trays and pallets, as well as some tips for reusing them in a cost-saving manner.
Plastic Pallets
Pallets can come in several types. Many are formed from a single sheet of plastic, while others have a wood inlay that increases the structural strength. The latter type I often see on food vehicles, which are critical for transporting food to stores and restaurants. Trays made from these are often referred to as palletized trays or pallet racks. These trays are generally made from polyethylene plastic with either a molded base or a metal frame and adjustable legs for stability. For commercial use, pallets should be designed to handle high weight loads.
Plastic Pallet Tray Fundamentals
For the most part, palletized plastic trays are used to transport pre-loaded food, but they are also used in storage and carryout applications. They come in a range of sizes, capacities, and depths. Pallets can be designed with or without lids or doors and they can be stacked with or without open slots. In addition to keeping food fresh, these trays also offer protection from contaminants including foreign materials like hair or dust and chemicals such as oils, water, moisture and condensation. You may be surprised to learn that 75% of all plastic packaging is actually made up of pallets!
Plastic Trays vs. Cardboard Trays
There are a few key differences to note between plastic pallet trays and their cardboard counterparts. Plastic trays are more durable, lightweight and resistant to bacteria, oil and water damage. They won’t absorb moisture and they keep food fresher longer, which can save food service operators time and money on both product replacement costs as well as labor costs associated with product rotation earlier in the day. Plastic pallets have greater load capacity; so when compared to cardboard or wood pallets, you can fit more into the same space which reduces freight charges for transporting products to market. You will also find that plastic pallets take up less space in the landfill because they do not compost quickly like some of their natural counterparts.
So What’s the Catch?
Many of these savings can only be realized if your pallet is used for its intended purpose and recycled properly. Plastic pallets do have a few drawbacks, however, that reduce their value as a resource in the recycling stream. Many pallet manufacturers use chemicals in their manufacturing process such as formaldehyde and other chemicals to stabilize the plastic parts against moisture, odors and insects. Unfortunately this can make the plastic difficult to recycle and because it is not meant for long-term storage, it doesn’t have the same benefits as a cardboard tray. If a pallet makes it to the landfill, there is a chance that the plastic could be broken down into smaller pieces, which would then clog up waste sorting equipment and make it more costly to recycle in the future.
Plastic Trays – The Reality of It All
If you are considering purchasing plastic trays for use in your food service operation, make sure you know what type of plastic is used in their manufacturing and if they can be recycled. Keep in mind that many types of plastic are not recyclable or may require additional treatment before they can be recycled. And if you need more tips on reducing your waste and conserving resources, check out my article here.
Have any other questions or want to share some of your ideas? Be sure to contact us! [END ARTICLE]
Well there you have it - another avenue for scrap plastics is in pallets that are made from used plastic bottles and those that have been produced for the purpose of transporting pre-loaded products. I wonder how many pallets are recycled or end up in the landfill. I put that out there to get your feedback.
The following are some links that may be of interest:
SourceWatch - Plastic Pallets: http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Plastic_pallets
Earth911 - Where do plastic pallets end up after being recycled? http://www.earth911.com/recycling-plastic-pallets/
Earth 911 - Reuse Plastic Pallet Trays for the Kitchen or Refrigerator http://www.earth911.com/blog/reuse-plastic-pallet-trays-kitchen-refrigerator/
Do you have any good tips for using plastic pallets? Please add them to the comments section below.
Pallets were made to be used and reused while they could still be used. The same can be said for many types of plastic packaging. Here are some ideas from a reader:
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kelly-davis/innovative-ideas-to-use_b_1513665.html
"I have a friend who collects plastic bags from delivery people. He's got thousands of them in storage. Instead of all the plastic bags he sends bottles to be melted down and turned into pellets which can then be used for composting or other purposes. That way he doesn't have to worry about collecting and disposing of the plastic bags."
"I'm in the same boat, recycling everything I can get my hands on, but haven't tried every single idea mentioned here, yet (my brain hurts). Some things I have found: 90% of the plastic milk cartons that our local grocery stores buy are folded over and sold to a paper company.
Conclusion: It sounds like the milk carton would make great pallets. I'm looking at ways to reuse the cartons. When I first started this blog, I got a bottle of contact lens solution for free from my eye doctor. So, what if we turned all this eye stuff into something that could be recycled.