Editing Pallet (section)

{{Short description|Flat structure to transport goods}}
{{Distinguish|Palate|Palette (disambiguation)}}
{{other uses|Pallet (disambiguation)}}
[[File:Wooden pallet with glove.jpg|thumb|A classic wooden pallet, with a glove for scale|alt=A wooden pallet with a glove on it]]
[[File:Plastic pallet.jpg|thumb|A plastic skid with nine legs, which can be lifted from all four sides. This type of transport is commonly called a pallet, but since it has no bottom, it is technically a skid.|alt=A plastic skid]]
[[File:MetalPalets.jpg|thumb|A metal pallet with removable beams, in this case for firewood|alt=Metal pallets with removable beams, several of which are filled with firewood]]
[[File:Factory Automation Robotics Palettizing Bread.jpg|thumb|Automated [[palletizer]] of bread with industrial [[KUKA]] robots at a bakery in Germany|alt=A row of automated palletizers]]
[[File:Steel Pallet.JPG|thumb|{{convert|48 x 40|in|cm|0|abbr=on}} [[Galvanization|galvanized]] steel pallet. Galvanized steel pallets are fireproof and rust resistant.|alt=A galvanized steel pallet]]
[[File:Truckload of pallets.jpg|thumb|A truckload of used wooden pallets in California|alt=An eighteen-wheeler carrying used wooden pallets]]

A '''pallet''' (also called a '''skid''') is a flat transport structure, which supports goods in a stable fashion while being lifted by a [[forklift]], a [[pallet jack]], a [[Loader (equipment)|front loader]], a [[Jack (mechanical)|jacking device]], or an erect crane. Many pallets can handle a load of {{convert|1000|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. While most pallets are wooden, pallets can also be made of plastic, metal, paper, and [[recycled materials]].

A pallet is the structural foundation of a [[unit load]], which allows handling and storage efficiencies. Goods in [[shipping container]]s are often placed on a pallet secured with [[strapping]], [[stretch wrap]] or [[shrink wrap]] and shipped. In addition, [[pallet collar]]s can be used to support and protect items shipped and stored on pallets.

[[Containerization]] for transport has spurred the use of pallets because shipping containers have the smooth, level surfaces needed for easy pallet movement. Since its invention in the twentieth century, its use has dramatically supplanted older forms of crating like the [[wooden box]] and the [[wooden barrel]], as it works well with modern packaging like [[corrugated box]]es and [[intermodal container]]s commonly used for bulk shipping. In 2020 about half a billion pallets are made each year and about two billion pallets are in use across the [[United States]] alone.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Richards |first=K. L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M3jNDwAAQBAJ&dq=about+half+a+billion+pallets+are+made+each+year+and+about+two+billion+pallets+are+in+use+across+the+United+States+alone.&pg=SA2-PA135 |title=The Engineering Design Primer |date=30 January 2020 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-0-429-55993-8 |pages=Section: 6.8.3.2 |language=en}}</ref> Organizations using standard pallets for loading and unloading can have much lower costs for handling and storage, with faster material movement than businesses that do not. The exceptions are establishments that move small items such as jewelry or large items such as cars. But even they can be improved. For instance, the distributors of [[costume jewelry]] normally use pallets in their [[warehouse]]s and car manufacturers use pallets to move components and spare parts. Pallets make it easier to move heavy stacks. Loads with pallets under them can be hauled by forklift trucks of different sizes, or even by hand-pumped and hand-drawn pallet jacks. Movement is easy on a wide, strong, flat floor: concrete is excellent. The greatest investment needed for economical pallet use is in the construction of commercial or industrial buildings. Ability to pass through standard doors and buildings make handling more convenient. For this reason, some modern pallet standards are designed to pass through standard doorways, for example the [[EUR-pallet|europallet]] (800&nbsp;mm × 1,200&nbsp;mm) and the U.S. military {{convert|35|×|45.5|in|mm|abbr=on}}.

The lack of a single international standard for pallets causes substantial continuing expense in international trade. A single standard is difficult because of the wide variety of needs a standard pallet would have to satisfy: passing doorways, fitting in standard containers, and bringing low labor costs. For example, organizations already handling large pallets often see no reason to pay the higher handling cost of using smaller pallets that can fit through doors. Heavy-duty pallets are a form of [[reusable packaging]] and are designed to be used multiple times. Lightweight pallets are designed for a single use. In the EU, government legislation based on the [[Waste Framework Directive]] requires the reuse of packaging items in preference to recycling and disposal.