Plastic pallets, totes, trays, RPC’s (reusable plastic containers), and other small load carriers are used daily in warehousing, material handling, and logistics/transportation. These items move between buyer’s and supplier’s facilities, coming into contact with various contaminants along the way. Dirt, grime, and grease can accumulate on pallets and totes, as well as food particles stored or transported. In addition, viruses and bacteria linger on surfaces, which can cause product contamination. Container and pallet cleaning is an essential consideration for any operation and is crucial for those handling food or requiring sanitary conditions.

Allowing dirt, grime, grease, and other contaminants to settle on pallets, totes, and other small load carriers will reduce their lifetime. In some instances, it can create unsafe handling conditions and can contaminate products. When working with food, pharmaceutical, or chemical products to ship, you need to clean and sanitize plastic pallets and containers for reuse effectively.

A logistics company is responsible for ensuring that clients’ products are not contaminated. An automatic washer is a faster and more effective method for cleaning and sanitizing large quantities of pallets and containers than manual cleaning. Also, sanitizing plastic pallets and containers requires specialized cleaning methods not attainable with manual cleaning. It means ensuring that the microorganisms are almost entirely removed without using harsh chemicals like bleach that could contaminate food or damage other products.