#second hand pallets

Maintaining safety and cleanliness in a warehouse starts with proper, timely pallet collection practices. Businesses must maintain strict hygiene standards in industries where food and beverages, pharmaceutical products, and retail goods are handled. Timely and well-organised pallet handling reduces contamination risks, and there are other benefits as well, like improved workflow, safety for staff and products, and hygiene. Let us understand some crucial pallet collection tips that warehouse owners can use to maintain operational efficiency and warehouse hygiene.

REGULAR INSPECTION AND CLEANING

Before pallet collection, every unit must be checked for dirt, mould, and pest infestation. Second-hand pallets and custom-made pallets should also be inspected, washed, and sanitised by pressure washing. This will remove the debris and prevent the accumulation of contaminants. Remember, clean pallets last longer than those left for a long time, and there are also risks of product contamination.

SEGREGATING PALLETS BY TYPE

Warehouse employees must separate custom-made pallets from standard pallets, recycled pallets, and second-hand pallets. This is recommended to prevent cross-contamination and to ensure that every pallet type is available to serve the intended purpose. 

Labelling storage areas is another critical step necessary to streamline collection and retrieval. This will keep warehouses safer and more efficient.

IMPLEMENTING PALLET ROTATION SYSTEM

The staff at your warehouse must adopt pallet rotation to ensure that second-hand pallets and older pallets are used first. This means pallets that are close to being damaged or discarded are used first, and quality consistency is maintained. A healthy pallet rotation system is necessary for inventory management, reducing downtime and enhancing productivity during peak operation season.

In addition, the staff should handle pallets carefully and avoid contact with floors and walls where dirt is present. Monitoring and recording hygiene practices are two other necessary steps to demonstrate compliance with Australian health standards. This is considered an easy way to identify recurring issues and enable continuous improvement of warehouse hygiene practices.

FAQS

HOW OFTEN SHOULD PALLETS BE CLEANED?

Cleaning should occur before every collection and at regular intervals.

This depends on usage frequency, especially for second hand pallets.

CAN CUSTOM MADE PALLETS IMPROVE HYGIENE?

Custom made pallets can be designed with smooth surfaces and durable materials. 

This reduces contamination risks and simplifies cleaning.

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO STORE PALLETS FOR HYGIENE?

Keep pallets off the floor in dry, ventilated areas. 

Stack neatly and separate by type to prevent cross-contamination.

Learn More:

Top Mistakes Businesses Make When Arranging Pallet Collection

Different Types Of Timber Pallet Collections And Their Versatile Uses

Pallets play a critical role in logistics, warehousing, and international trade. While they may appear similar at first glance, pallet designs vary significantly depending on where and how they are used. Australian export pallets and Euro pallets are designed to meet different handling, compliance, and transportation requirements. Understanding these differences is essential for businesses involved in shipping, storage, and export operations.

1. The Euro Pallet (EPAL): Continental Precision

If you are shipping to the European Union, you will inevitably encounter the Euro Pallet (also known as the EPAL or EUR-pallet). Measuring 1200mm x 800mm, this rectangular design is the gold standard across the continent.

Designed for Narrow Spaces

The Euro pallet was built to navigate the unique infrastructure of Europe—narrower warehouse aisles and smaller delivery truck tail-lifts.

Strict Standards: True Euro second hand pallets must be EPAL-certified, meaning they follow rigorous quality controls regarding wood type, nail placement, and load-bearing capacity.

Exchangeability: Europe operates a massive "pallet pool" where businesses exchange empty pallets for full ones. If your pallet doesn’t meet the EPAL standard, it may be rejected upon arrival.

2. The Australian Domestic Icon: The 1165mm Square

Australia’s domestic pallet is a unique outlier in the global market. Standardised under AS 4068-1993, the Australian standard pallet measures exactly 1165mm x 1165mm. Why is it square?

The design is rooted in history. It was specifically engineered to fit perfectly into the RACE (Roll-on-Roll-off Australian Container Equipment) containers used by the Australian rail network. Two of these pallets fit snugly side-by-side, maximising space in local freight wagons.

Materials: Typically constructed from durable Australian hardwood or structural-grade pine.

Best For: Local Australian warehousing, supermarket racking, and domestic rail/road transport.

The Export Problem: Because they are wider than standard ISO shipping containers, using a domestic 1165mm pallet for international sea freight often leads to "dead space," as they cannot be packed as efficiently as international counterparts.

While it might be tempting to use whatever you have in the warehouse, the "wrong" pallet can be a costly mistake. If you're shipping internally, the 1165mm square is your best friend. But the moment you look toward a port, you must switch to a pallet that fits the destination's infrastructure and satisfies the biosecurity laws of the land.