THE USE OF SUBSTITUTE MATERIAL PALLETS FOR GROCERY DISTRIBUTION

Trends in pallet material substitution in the U.S. grocery distributio n industry were investigated through 444 mailed questionnaires and 20 interviews with persons involved in pallet decisions at grocery distri bution centers. Results indicated that all responding companies (100%) are using solid wood pallets for sending goods to their customers. Ho wever, some are also using substitutes (plastic, corrugated paperboard , and wood composite pallets). Plastic is the most common substitute m aterial and is used by approximately 22 percent of the responding comp anies. The most commonly used plastic pallet is the twin-sheet thermof orm type. Many interviewees claim that their main reason for switching to plastic pallets is the cost savings resulting from long pallet lif e. The majority of the responding companies plan to continue using sol id wood pallets. However, the number of companies planning to use some plastic pallets is estimated to increase to 37.2 percent by 1997.