Reusable Plastic Bins    
There are plenty of shipping companies and retailers that have switched to reusable plastic bins and plastic pallets due to environmental concerns. These businesses understand that natural resources wasted on shipping materials will lead to higher prices for other raw materials. Any business that is skeptical about the value of plastic bins and containers should look at the average life of a wooden crate before making a decision.

Assessing the Environmental and Economic Value of Reusable Pallets
The process of building a wooden shipping container alone should encourage businesses to purchase reusable pallets and bins. These containers are built from slats of inexpensive wood placed within frames of hardwood. The major problem with wooden containers arises when moisture, insects and debris enters minuscule gaps in the wooden planks.

Wooden crates deteriorate quickly when used for global shipping. The constant pressure of high payloads begins to damage the components of a wooden container. Poor storage aboard planes and ships weakens the condition of wooden bins, pallets and boxes even further. Warehouse personnel pick up crates quickly with forklifts without considering the damage caused in transit.  

Many companies are moving away from wooden packages because of concerns about recycling materials. The wooden planks and frames from traditional pallets are often damaged beyond the point of recycling scraps for other projects. The short life of a wooden shipping bins means that multiple containers will be purchased during the life of a single reusable plastic pallet.

Robinson Industries Inc. produces reusable pallets using thermoforming and injection molding processes. Companies from coast to coast can email sales@robinsonind.com for more information on Robinson's pallet customization options.

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