A lot of things can go wrong when it comes to cold chain logistics. Getting products and shipments from one place to another can be challenging enough, but making sure these packages stay the perfect temperature throughout the journey is even tougher. If one of your items gets too warm, you’ll lose money and run the risk of harming consumers.

From meat to produce and life-saving medicines, the stakes are high when you’re transporting temperature-controlled items that consumers will eventually ingest. That’s why you need to take certain precautions to make sure you’re handling items as efficiently as possible. If you have trouble loading some of your containers onto a truck, you could ruin the entire shipment by letting these items get too warm. If you use poorly-made or contaminated equipment, some of these items could become contaminated as well. That’s why you need to choose equipment that won’t put these items at risk.

Let’s look at five reasons plastic pallets are the best choice for cold chain logistics.

1. They’re Contaminant Free.

When it comes to moving large containers, most companies will choose between wooden and plastic pallets. But wooden pallets can cause all kinds of headaches in the cold chain logistics industry. For starters, the wood can easily break apart or chip over time, releasing wood chips and dust into the air. Some of those particles can make their way onto your containers, putting food items and pharmaceuticals at risk.

Wood pallets also absorb moisture, which means there’s always a chance your pallets could be harboring dangerous mold particles that could put your shipments at risk. You don’t want food and medicine going anywhere near items that could contain microbial contaminates.

But plastic pallets are generally free of contaminants. You don’t have to worry about mold or wood particles endangering your products or putting your consumers at risk. The plastic can’t break apart or absorb moisture, so you can transport items with more peace of mind.

2. They’re Totally Trackable.

No one wants to lose their storage and shipping equipment. Pallets are valuable investments, and you should do everything you can to keep track of them. But unlike wooden pallets, most of the plastic pallets for sale are completely trackable. They come with SKUs and other identifying markers that you and your business partners can use to make sure your equipment doesn’t end up in the wrong hands. Pallets have a habit of finding their way into strange places, especially when you and your team are racing to make sure shipments arrive on time and at the perfect temperature.

But instead of forever saying goodbye to your pallets, someone will return them to their proper owner. You can even have your pallets branded with your company’s logo to make sure they end up in the right spot.

3. They’re Durable.

Plastic pallets also tend to be more durable than their wooden counterparts. The plastic won’t break apart or wear away over time, so you can keep using them for years to come. This helps you make the most of your cold chain logistics budget instead of having to buy or make new pallets every few months. This also helps you focus on the task at hand because you don’t have to worry about making sure you have enough pallets for your next shipment.

4. They’re Easy to Clean and Maintain.

Keeping your shipment equipment clean should be your top priority when it comes to cold chain logistics. And as you probably know, cleaning wood isn’t exactly realistic. You can’t hose down your wooden pallets, which means they’re bound to be filled with all kinds of germs and contaminants. But plastic pallets are a cinch to clean and sanitize. You can hose them down with water and a chemical solution to make sure they are completely safe to use. If you’re not using plastic pallets, there’s always a chance your shipments could become contaminated.

5. They’re Easy to Handle.

Your team needs to work fast when you’re trying to deliver cold items at the perfect temperature. Every second counts and any delay could be catastrophic for your business. With wooden pallets, your employees might have to wear gloves as they watch out for splinters, nails and rough cuts of wood. But plastic pallets don’t come with the same risks. Your employees can pick them up and put them down in a matter of seconds without worrying about cutting their hand.

Make the Switch to Plastic Pallets Today

Time is of the essence when you’re delivering temperature-sensitive products. You can’t afford to use unreliable equipment that could contaminate one of your shipments. Stick with plastic pallets and you can become a leader in cold chain logistics.