Top Benefits of Cardboard Pallets
In today’s globalized and eco-conscious marketplace, cardboard pallets are revolutionizing how goods are shipped, stored, and handled.
Known for their sustainable structure and surprising strength, these innovative packaging tools are now seen as a viable alternative to traditional wooden and plastic pallets.
As industries evolve to meet stricter environmental standards and reduce operational costs, understanding the benefits of cardboard pallets becomes increasingly crucial.
Why Companies Are Ditching Wooden Pallets?
Traditional wooden pallets have long been the industry standard but at a growing cost. They’re heavy, expensive to ship, and require heat-treatment or fumigation to meet ISPM-15 regulations. They splinter, absorb moisture, and pose hygiene challenges that can compromise your product and your brand.
Cardboard pallets, eliminate many of these problems.
Forward-thinking companies are making the switch to Cardboard pallets alternatives: lighter, cleaner, and fully compliant with international shipping standards.
The Rise of Sustainable Shipping Solutions
The modern supply chain is under immense pressure to become greener, more cost-effective, and safer. This shift has led many companies to reevaluate the materials used in logistics—starting with the humble pallet.
Cardboard pallets, also known as paper pallets or eco-pallets, are at the forefront of this movement. Made from recycled corrugated cardboard or molded pulp, they are fully recyclable, biodegradable, and incredibly lightweight, ticking all the boxes for sustainability-driven operations.
Top Benefits of Cardboard Pallets
Let’s explore the most compelling benefits of cardboard pallets and why more businesses are making the switch:
Enhanced Hygiene for Food and Pharma
Moisture and Pest Resistance
Faster Production
Cost-Effectiveness in Transportation
Every kilo counts in logistics. Cardboard pallets weigh up to 80 % less than wooden ones, instantly reducing your freight costs. Lighter loads also mean reduced fuel consumption and carbon emissions: a win for your bottom line and the planet.
It's time to explore a smarter, more economical solution, Green OX's light weight cardboard pallets.
Cardboard pallets offer substantial savings in multiple areas:
Reduced shipping weight
Lighter pallets mean lower freight costs, especially in air transport. Say goodbye to excessive weight charges and hello to efficient, budget-friendly transport.
No ISPM-15 treatment
No ISPM-15 treatment needed for export cutting out fees and delays.
Lower Material Costs
Market price of 100% FSC certified corrugated cardboard material is less than wood or plastic on the first use.
Benefits in Reverse Logistics
Their foldable design reduces the volume of returns, saving on:
- Return shipping costs
- Storage in transit
- Labor involved in handling returns
Environmental Benefits of Cardboard Pallets
Elevate Your Eco-Footprint: Cardboard Pallets' Sustainable Edge.
Step into a more sustainable future as we unveil the environmental advantages of choosing Green OX pallets over traditional wood or plastic pallet options.
Discover how this simple switch can make a monumental difference in reducing waste, conserving resources and shaping a greener world.
Sustainability
The push for sustainability in logistics is no longer optional. Governments and consumers alike demand eco-conscious practices.
Cardboard pallets are:
Easy Recycling Process
When cardboard pallets reach the end of their lifecycle, disposing of them is straightforward. They can be:
There’s no need for expensive disposal or hazardous waste handling, as is often the case with chemically treated wooden pallets.
Real-World Impact of Cardboard Green Ox Pallets
Producing 320 Green OX pallets we save:

6
trees

2,463
kilowatts of energy

70
gallons of gasoline
3,000
gallons of water
1.4
cubic yards of landfill space
Embrace sustainability while saving money. Green OX's eco-conscious approach aligns with cost-saving strategies, reducing waste disposal expenses.
Lightweight Yet Strong:
The Structural Advantage
Don’t let their weight fool you. Green OX cardboard pallets are engineered to carry up to 750 kg (1,650 lbs), of evenly distributed load while weighing only a fraction of wood. Their corrugated structure delivers remarkable strength-to-weight performance for air, sea, and road freight.
This strength-to-weight ratio makes them ideal for air cargo, where every gram counts.
Moreover, lighter pallets translate into lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions during transport, an important metric for any logistics manager looking to go green.

Safer Handling and Ergonomics
Wooden pallets can be hazardous splinters, protruding nails, and heavy lifting can cause serious injuries. Cardboard pallets eliminate these risks. This safety benefits can result in lower insurance premiums and fewer compensation claims.
Streamlined Handling
Lift, move, and position your goods easily. Our lightweight pallets require less manpower and equipment, meaning reducing labor costs.
Reduces Worker Injuries and Insurance Claims
Safety isn’t just about compliance, it’s also about cost. Companies using cardboard pallets report fewer workplace injuries related to material handling. Their ergonomic benefits include:
Customizable Designs for Specific Loads
Tailored to your needs, Green OX offers personalized pallet designs, to extend your personal branding.

Personalized Solutions
One of the most overlooked benefits of cardboard pallets is their customizability. Unlike wood, cardboard can be cut and molded into virtually any shape, size, or configuration.
Need a pallet that fits a unique product footprint? Or one that supports a certain stacking method? No problem.
Custom features can include:
- Reinforced edges for corner loads
- Perforated sections for airflow
- Branding and product instructions printed directly on the pallet
This flexibility offers not just practical advantages but also branding opportunities in retail and display logistics.
Improved Branding Opportunities
Unlike rough wood, cardboard pallets provide a smooth printable surface.
This allows companies to print:
- Logos
- Promotional messaging
- Handling instructions
This turns your pallet into a mobile billboard. Perfect for retail displays, trade shows, or point-of-sale logistics.

Lower Carbon Footprint Across the Supply Chain
Cardboard pallets reduce carbon emissions at nearly every stage of the logistics chain:
- Manufacturing: Less energy-intensive than wooden pallets
- Transport: Reduced fuel usage due to lighter weight
- Disposal: Easily recycled, often back into new pallets
When calculated across thousands of shipments, these savings make a measurable impact on a company’s Scope 3 emissions.
Compliance with Global Shipping Regulations
Cardboard pallets are inherently compliant with most international shipping regulations. Since they don’t require fumigation or heat treatment, they are apreferred option for export. Their non-toxic nature and recyclability also make them eligible for green certifications in both the U.S. and EU markets.
Export-Friendly and Airline-Approved
Cardboard pallets are a go-to choice for air freight and international exports. Their lightweight nature directly translates into:
- Lower air cargo costs
- Simplified customs clearance
- Reduced dimensional weight charges
Major airlines and logistics companies often recommend or accept cardboard pallets specifically for shipping lightweight and high-value items. Their compliance with ISPM-15 and other global standards makes them a hassle-free option for global distribution.
Improved Warehouse Space Efficiency
Because cardboard pallets are lightweight and often collapsible, they’re much easier to store. They take up less vertical space and can often be flat-packed when not in use, freeing up valuable warehouse real estate. This is especially beneficial in urban areas where storage costs are at a premium.
Fire Safety Advantages Over Wood
Unlike wood, cardboard does not splinter, crack, or burn as easily, especially when treated with fire-retardant coatings.
In facilities where fire regulations are strict, like pharmaceutical warehouses or food storage centers, cardboard pallets offer a safer alternative.
Many of them meet UL 94 and other flammability standards.
Cardboard pallets might sound susceptible to moisture, but many are treated with water-resistant coatings or wax to ensure durability in humid environments.
And since they don’t harbor pests, they don’t require fumigation, making them compliant with IPPC and ISPM-15 export standards. This is especially important for shipping to regions with strict customs regulations.
Moisture and Pest Resistance
Faster Production and Turnaround Time
Wooden pallets often require longer lead times due to processing, treatment, and supply chain delays, especially when sourcing timber is difficult.
In contrast, cardboard pallets can be produced quickly using automated processes. For businesses with just-in-time (JIT) inventory models, this ensures:
- Minimal delays in pallet sourcing
- Flexibility in production schedules
- Improved response to market demands

Enhanced Hygiene for Food and Pharma
For industries like food and pharmaceuticals, hygiene is paramount.
Wooden pallets
- Bacteria and mold
- Chemical contaminants
- Rodents and insects
Cardboard pallets
- Single-use or short-cycle
- Sterile or treated with antimicrobial coatings
- Less porous and easier to dispose of after use
GreenOx pallets
Unlocking Success: Test results
"Proven benefits of cardboard pallets explore the undeniable advantages of cardboard pallets with our comprehensive test results. From efficiency gains to sustainability, discover how these pallets elevate your logistics game."
The benefits of cardboard pallets extend far beyond just being lightweight. They offer significant cost savings, regulatory compliance, eco-friendly disposal, enhanced safety, and branding opportunities. As businesses shift toward more sustainable and efficient supply chains, cardboard pallets stand out as a smart and strategic choice.
From cutting costs and boosting safety to supporting sustainability and simplifying logistics, the benefits of cardboard pallets are undeniable. As supply chains become smarter and greener, these innovative alternatives are fast becoming the new industry standard.
Our Clients
IKEA
They replaced thousands of wooden pallets with cardboard versions and reportedly saved millions annually in freight costs.
UNILEVER
Unilever uses cardboard pallets for intra-European transport to reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiency.
SANSUMG
Samsung adopted paper pallets for electronics shipments, achieving both cost savings and sustainability targets.
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