Plastic or wood? Wood pallets cost less and are repaired board by board. Plastic pallets cost more up front, but they nest to save space, wash clean, and don't need heat treating for export.
| Recycled wood, #1 | New wood, softwood | Plastic, nestable | |
|---|---|---|---|
| One pallet | $25 | $34 | $70 |
| Best online price | $12.50 at 260+ | $17 at 260+ | $35 at 975+ |
| Per full trailer | 520 | 520 | 1,950 (they nest) |
| For export (ISPM-15) | Heat treated option | Heat treated option | Not needed |
| When a board breaks | Repaired board by board | Repaired board by board | Replaced, not repaired |
Prices are today's single-pallet and best online prices from our shop.
When wood is the better buy
- Cost. A recycled #1 48×40 is $25 against $70 for plastic.
- Repairs. A broken board is replaced and the pallet goes back into service.
- One-way shipping. If the pallet leaves with your product and doesn't come back, the cheaper pallet usually wins.
- Custom sizes. We build wood pallets to any size.
When plastic is the better buy
- Closed loops. If your pallets come back to you, a plastic pallet's longer life can pay back its higher price.
- Space. Nestable pallets sit inside one another, so a trailer carries 1,950 plastic pallets against 520 wood ones, and an empty stack takes less room in your building.
- Cleaning. Plastic can be washed, which suits food and clean shippers.
- Export. ISPM-15 covers wood packaging, so plastic pallets need no heat treatment or stamp.
What about heat-treated wood for export?
Most countries require wood pallets in international shipments to be heat treated and stamped under ISPM-15, which adds $2–$6 a pallet. Pallets moving between the US and Canada are exempt. See heat treated pallets for export.
Shop plastic pallets, recycled wood pallets or new wood pallets, or read more about plastic pallets.