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Pallet ROI Calculator

Compare total cost of ownership: Wood vs Plastic vs Metal

Your Requirements

Number of pallets you need per year

How many times each pallet is used per year

Time horizon for cost comparison

✅ Recommendation: Plastic Pallets

Plastic pallets save $391,354 over the analysis period due to their durability. Higher upfront cost is offset by fewer replacements.

🪵 Wood
$502,432
$8.37 per trip
Initial Investment $38,619
Replacements $424,812
Repairs $27,000
Disposal $12,000
🔩 Metal
$444,242
$7.40 per trip
Initial Investment $445,242
Replacements $0
Repairs $9,000
Disposal -$10,000

Potential Savings

Plastic vs Wood
+$391,354
Metal vs Wood
+$58,190
Metal vs Plastic
$-333,164

Positive values indicate savings, negative values indicate additional cost.

Cost Comparison

Understanding Pallet Total Cost of Ownership

The true cost of a pallet extends far beyond its purchase price. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) includes initial investment, repairs, replacements, and disposal over the pallet's lifecycle.

🪵 Wood Pallets

  • Lowest upfront cost ($8-15)
  • 5-10 trips average lifespan
  • Repairable but frequent repairs
  • Best for: Low volume, single-use

🧱 Plastic Pallets

  • Medium cost ($25-80)
  • 50+ trips average lifespan
  • Minimal maintenance needed
  • Best for: Closed loops, hygiene-critical

🔩 Metal Pallets

  • Highest cost ($80-200)
  • 200+ trips average lifespan
  • Virtually indestructible
  • Best for: Heavy loads, extreme conditions