Paper Pallets vs. Wooden Pallets: Cost, Weight & Sustainability
Compare paper pallets and wooden pallets in terms of cost, weight, durability and environmental impact to find the best solution for your business.
Paper and wooden pallets both carry, lift and ship goods, but they differ clearly in weight, cost, load capacity and export requirements. The table below summarises eight key criteria to help you choose.
Paper pallet vs wooden pallet
| Criteria | Paper pallet | Wooden pallet |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Honeycomb paperboard or corrugated board; light, easy to recycle, no pollution when disposed of. | Solid or engineered wood (MDF, plywood); sturdy but can pollute if not treated properly. |
| Weight | Much lighter – often about one third of a wooden pallet. | Heavier, especially hardwood pallets. |
| Load capacity | Light and medium loads; designs for 1–2 tonnes are available. May deform with moisture or overloading. | High capacity for heavy goods (often over 1 tonne); less affected by moisture when water-treated. |
| Cost | Low production cost, suited to one-way or short-term use; lower freight thanks to light weight. | Higher price but durable and long-lasting; higher freight because of the weight. |
| Safety | No nails or sharp edges; safe to handle. | May have nails or sharp splinters that are dangerous during handling. |
| Export | No fumigation required. | Must be treated/fumigated under ISPM 15. |
| Applications | Export shipments, light goods, one-way products; clean industries such as food and pharmaceuticals. | Heavy industry and storage of large, heavy goods; where pallets are reused many times. |
| Storage | Easily damaged by water or humidity; store in a dry place. | Withstands weather better but can be attacked by termites if untreated. |
Which one should you choose?
- Choose paper pallets when light weight, low cost, fumigation-free export and eco-friendliness come first.
- Choose wooden pallets for very heavy goods, long-term reuse or heavy, humid industrial environments.
The right choice depends on cargo weight, transport mode, storage conditions and budget. KOVIF can advise a paper pallet structure for your actual load.
