Because of its strength, durability, and resistance to liquids, a plastic pallet's lifespan can be more than double that of its wood counterpart up to ten years, depending on how it's maintained, the weight it carries, and how often it is used, among other factors. Often, the superior longevity of plastic pallets is what drives supply chain managers to choose them, but there's a lot more to consider in comparing wood versus plastic pallets. Plastic pallets can help support circular business models where even retired pallets become useful again through recycling.
It’s also important to keep in mind that although the lifespan of a plastic pallet can be measured in years, this isn’t the best way to think about pallet longevity.
An even more important consideration for warehouse and supply chain managers is the number of trips a pallet can make. When built using high-density polyethylene and when used in optimal conditions, quality plastic pallets can make as many as 100 trips through the supply chain, though repairs might be necessary. The lifespan of a wood pallet, meanwhile, is typically much shorter; wood pallets will last for a maximum of 15 to 20 trips, with significant repairs required after every three or four.