To buy new or used, that is the question food and produce buyers might find themselves asking when it comes to figuring out which type of pallet is best for their operations.
The truth is, each option has great benefits. When it comes to used pallets, you can usually count on a more economical and eco-friendly option, whereas new pallets offer consistent quality and strength and are manufactured from new lumber.
But which option you choose depends heavily on your needs. So let’s break it down!
New vs. Recycled Pallets: What’s the Difference?
The differences between new and recycled pallets can help determine which option is better suited to your application.
So, let’s take a closer look at what sets them apart.
New pallets are manufactured entirely from new lumber, offering consistent strength and durability. At Alberta Pallet, our new pallets are machine-built using high-quality spruce, pine and fir (SPF) for consistent strength, durability and reliability. They are available in standard sizes, while custom pallets can be engineered using our advanced Pallet Design System (PDS) to meet specific requirements.
Our used and recycled pallets offer a more eco-conscious choice. These pallets are inspected, repaired and reconditioned using seasoned wood to ensure they’re still durable and can offer consistent performance. Using recycled pallets can help lower costs, reduce waste, and support green logistics.
What Should Food and Produce Buyers Consider?
As a food or produce buyer, you’ll want to consider factors such as previous pallet use and cleanliness, required strength and consistency, budget and volume and any shipping or heat-treatment requirements.
Cleanliness and Previous Use
When you’re transporting food or produce, knowing where your pallets have been before is probably a pretty important consideration. New pallets are manufactured from fresh lumber, meaning there are fewer concerns about previous use, wear or exposure to contaminants.
Recycled pallets are inspected and reconditioned before reuse, but depending on your product and hygiene requirements, new pallets may be the more appropriate choice.
Strength and Consistency
New pallets can offer greater consistency and predictable specifications and can be designed for heavier loads or custom applications. However, if reducing waste is a priority, recycled pallets can be a great option to consider. Alberta Pallet’s recycled pallets are inspected, repaired, and reinforced for reliable performance, but it should always be taken into consideration that suitability ultimately depends on the load and application of your products.
Cost and Volume
Knowing what type of pallets you need can depend on exactly what size and volume of product you have. If you have consistent sizing and a lot of product, then standard-sized recycled pallets may offer a readily available, cost-effective option.
However, if you have a lot of unique specifications and requirements, then choosing new pallets that can easily be custom-made to your exact needs can make them the more appropriate choice – even when the upfront cost is higher.
International Shipping and Heat Requirements
Where you need to send your product is also a massive consideration for which type of pallet you’ll choose.
If you ship pallets internationally, wood packaging may require heat-treatment to help prevent the spread of invasive pests. So choosing a used or new pallet that has the ability to have heat treatment applied will be imperative for your operations.
Alberta Pallet is proud to operate one of the only CFIA-licensed kilns in the area, capable of treating new lumber, used pallets, and other wood products on-site. This in-house capability means you don’t have to ship your pallets elsewhere for heat treatment, reducing transportation costs, shortening lead times, and increasing accessibility.
New or Recycled: Which Should You Choose?
There isn’t one right choice for every food or produce operation. New pallets may be the better fit when consistent specifications, heavier loads, custom sizing, or previous pallet use are important considerations. Recycled pallets can be a practical option when reducing costs and material waste are priorities and the pallets meet the requirements of your application.
International shipping doesn’t necessarily determine the choice either, as both new and recycled pallets can be heat-treated to meet the necessary requirements.
Ultimately, consider what you’re shipping, how it will be handled, where it’s going, and the requirements it needs to meet before choosing your pallet.
If you want further guidance on which type of pallet is right for you, connect with our expert team at Alberta Pallet. For food and produce businesses in Calgary and the surrounding area, both new and recycled pallets are available depending on your application.