Can You Reuse Pallet Wrap?

Transport is currently the largest emitting sector of Greenhouse Gas, producing 24% of the UK’s total emissions in 2020. Because of this, transportation companies are always looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint.

Reusable pallet wraps are a cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternative to a single-use pallet wrap. In this article, we will explore the benefits, drawbacks and alternatives of using single-use wraps.

Can you reuse pallet wrap?

Pallet wraps are the perfect packaging solution to secure your load onto a pallet. The single-use variety is relatively cheap, easy and quick to apply to any pallet and offers a tight, protective and secure cover to whatever is being wrapped (it is not included in the single-use plastic ban). When we think of a pallet wrap, we often think of a cling film-like plastic wrap that tightly secures items to a pallet. Much like cling film, it is designed to only be used once.

Removal of the wrap will take a significant amount of time, and will almost certainly lead to holes in the film.

If you require a wrap that you can reuse, consider a reusable pallet wrap. Like with any product, these come with their own benefits and drawbacks.

Benefits of reusable pallet wraps

In the environmentally conscious world we live in today, sourcing sustainable products is increasingly appealing, particularly to those in the transport industry. The UK Government has put plans in place to ensure that heavy duty vehicle emissions will be reduced by 30% by 2030. Using a reusable pallet wrap will be a not insignificant step.

For companies who regularly pay out for single-use pallet wraps, a reusable wrap is definitely something to consider. The benefits of reusable pallet wraps include:

Cost - single-use pallet wraps might be cheap but they can only be used once. When you consider that a pallet may only be wrapped for as little as an hour during transportation, the cost soon mounts up. Reusable pallet wraps are initially more expensive but they will quickly pay for themselves and the cost per use will reduce over time.

Environmentally friendly and sustainable - by choosing a reusable pallet wrap, you are selecting a product that will remain in the circular economy for years to come. By this, we are referring to products that can be reused time after time meaning less waste is sent to the landfill. This is much kinder to the environment.

Non stick next to other pallets - single-use pallet wraps often stick together during transportation due to the polythene material. Reusable pallet wraps are often non-stick, making them much easier to transport next to other loads.

Easy to train employees to use - single-use pallet wraps are applied either by using a machine or by hand. Both of these methods require training. Bearing in mind that a single-use pallet wrap can only be used once, it is vital that it is wrapped correctly to protect the product and to ensure the company does not have to dispose of it and start again. Reusable pallet wraps are applied very easily, require very little training and can be repositioned if a mistake is made.

Drawbacks to reusable pallet wraps

There are of course drawbacks to using reusable pallet wraps and these include:

Return loop - consider where you are transporting your pallets. Reusable pallet wraps are only beneficial if you can get them back to your original despatch area in a quick enough time to allow you to use them repeatedly. If this is not the case then single-use pallet wraps are a much better option.

Not ideal for awkwardly shaped loads - if you have a load that does not stack neatly and evenly on a pallet then you may struggle to secure it using a reusable pallet wrap. Shrink wraps protect even the most obscurely-shaped loads and will keep them secure so they may be the better option in this case

Protection - despite being durable and secure, reusable pallet wraps are unlikely to offer the same level of protection as single-use pallet wraps. They cannot wrap as tightly around a load or protect it from the elements in the same way.

Storage - reusable pallet wraps require storage when not in use. Some companies may require multiple pallet wraps which you may not have the space to store.

Disposal - reusable pallet wraps remain in use for many years and are part of a circular economy making them environmentally friendly. However, when the time comes to dispose of them, the elements are not easily recyclable.

Alternatives to single-use pallet wraps

As well as reusable pallet wraps, there are other alternatives to single-use pallet wraps. These include:

Pallet covers - simple to use, lightweight and easy to store, pallet covers are a great alternative to a pallet wrap. They also keep loads safe from environmental hazards such as wind and rain and are resistant to extreme temperatures.

Straps - some pallets can be secured using straps, however, these are often only used for larger loads.

Reusable pallet wrap - a rigid pallet wrap with straps, for products that stack evenly on the pallet.

Biodegradable pallet wrap - for environmentally conscious transportation companies that may be looking for alternatives to single use wrap IP Plant wrap is 100% biodegradable.

Secure your pallet with our robust, reusable covers

At Industrial Polythene, we offer a range of green polythene packaging products. We are committed to providing sustainable, environmentally friendly products that take great steps to reduce our carbon footprint and that of our customers. In fact, we provide eco-friendly, plant-based packaging solutions across our entire range of products.

We use the following sustainable materials in our green packaging products:

IP Plant - a bio-based material made from sugarcane which is carbon neutral and 100% recyclable.

Post-consumer waste polythene - reduces the consumption of fossil fuels and the amount of packaging waste sent to landfills.

IP Performance - a lightweight, high-performing film. This means we can reduce the amount of material used in manufacturing helping us meet the sustainability requirements of our customers.

We are proud to say that we have 50 years of expertise within our industry and build long-term relationships with our customers to ensure they are purchasing the best products for the job.

If you are interested in purchasing any of our products, contact us today to order a free sample or receive a quote.