New Tool to Help Calculate Savings With Plastic Pallets

Sean Murphy -- Supply Chain Management Review, 7/22/2008 11:54:00 AM

Considering whether or not to go with plastic pallets? Wondering if it will save you money? Now, one major manufacturer wants to help you figure that out. 

Intelligent Global Pooling Systems (iGPS), a maker of all-plastic pallets with embedded RFID tags, has created an online calculator that allows companies to view the reduction in fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions by using the all-plastic pallets. 

The online tool uses data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that quantifies relationships between cargo weight, fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions. 

“The weight difference between our all-plastic pallet and the typical multi-use wood pallet is dramatic: 27 pounds,” said Bob Moore, Chairman and CEO of iGPS. “As a result, shippers shed hundreds, if not thousands of pounds of unnecessary weight with each truckload when they switch from typical multi-use wood pallets to our lighter iGPS plastic pallet. Lessening weight reduces fuel consumption, which in turn reduces greenhouse gas emissions. With record high fuel costs, any measure to conserve is important.”

All users have to do is input the number of annual shipped truckloads and the average number of pallets per truckload. 

Then, the calculator shows annual reduction in weight, fuel savings and decreased greenhouse gases that would be possible by switching to plastic pallets. 

“Eliminating unnecessary weight in the supply chain is absolutely critical,” Moore said. “We’re thrilled to share this calculator as a resource for shippers to help them realize the dramatic environmental benefits that result when they switch to iGPS.” 

According to the iGPS, major companies such as QTG (Quaker Tropicana Gatorade), the Chicago-based division of PepsiCo, Dole Fresh Vegetables, Imperial Sugar, Pilgrim’s Pride, and Martori Farms have switched to all-plastic pallets.