Both the economy and society are seeking solutions that are increasingly mindful of environmental care and aligned with safety and hygiene measures. This is exactly where the growing use of plastic pallets and boxes in the food industry comes into play, standing out for their versatility, durability, and adaptability.
Understanding the advantages of plastic pallets
Did you know that durability is one of the main strengths of plastic pallets? Resistant to moisture, cold, and heat, these pallets guarantee a long lifecycle, thereby reducing long-term costs. Hygiene is another fundamental aspect in the food industry, and plastic pallets are unwavering allies in this regard. Their smooth, non-porous surface prevents the proliferation of bacteria and facilitates cleaning, meeting the highest quality standards.
Additionally, being made of plastic makes them much lighter, positioning them as an attractive option to ease handling, transport, and treatment while helping to reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.
There are also many myths surrounding plastic pallets, one of the most common being about their recyclability. The reality is that plastic is a material with multiple possibilities for recycling, depending on its composition. At Naeco, we can guarantee that 100% of our products are reusable and recyclable.
Beyond recyclability, another advantage of plastic pallets is their durability over time, as they can endure numerous usage cycles and extreme conditions involving moisture, temperature changes, and intensive handling without significant deterioration. This makes them perfect for industries such as food, where pallets are exposed to these conditions, and rotation is constant.
Plastic boxes and containers for food: innovation and sustainability
As mentioned earlier, plastic containers used for food purposes also stand out for their versatility and durability. Just like pallets, their non-porous plastic composition makes them hygienic containers suitable for food contact. Furthermore, foldable containers are available, promoting efficient use of space during transport and storage, optimizing available space. This is translated into lower fossil fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, thereby decreasing the industry's carbon footprint.
Among the wide variety of boxes and containers, euronorm boxes are also worth highlighting. These come in various sizes and options to make storing and transporting food products easier and are compatible with highly used H1 pallets in this industry—with full guarantees of hygiene and safety!
Food-grade plastic: regulations and safety
In sectors such as poultry or seafood, characterized by high product rotation and extreme conditions, the use of plastic pallets, boxes, and containers is increasingly widespread. The reasons for choosing plastic are numerous and essential to maintaining food in optimal conditions. Plastic is a hygienic material that prevents the nesting of pests, fungi, and bacteria, is easy to clean, and does not require additional treatments.
However, legislation on food storage and transportation is becoming stricter, aiming to ensure product safety and the highest standards of food quality. Below, we summarize some of the most impactful regulations regarding the use of these types of products.
For instance, in the poultry and meat industry, a highly regulated market with stringent quality standards for meat and poultry handling, it is crucial to ensure a hygienic environment that meets certain safety, sanitation, and cleanliness conditions. Royal Decree 179/1985, concerning the Technical-Sanitary Regulations of Poultry Slaughterhouses, Cutting Rooms, Industrialization, Storage, Preservation, Distribution, and Marketing of their Meats, outlines how meat should be transported, stored, and handled.
Among the more recent and specific regulations on recycled plastic, the Commission's Regulation (EU) 2022/1616, dated September 15, 2022, on recycled plastic materials and articles intended for food contact, stands out. This legislation complements the more general Regulation (EU) 10/2011, dated January the 14th , 2011, concerning plastic materials and articles intended for food contact.
And yes, both plastic pallets and boxes comply with these strict food safety standards. Need more reasons to switch to plastic for food product transportation and storage?
