Pallet Alternatives
Back to Pallets
Lightweight, Durable & Sustainable Pallet Alternatives for Modern Supply Chains
Durable and reusable, they provide hygienic, moisture-resistant solutions for food, pharmaceutical and automated supply chains.
Built from steel or aluminum, they withstand extreme loads and offer long-term durability for closed-loop and industrial applications.
Lightweight, recyclable, and ISPM-15 exempt, they are ideal for export shipments, air freight and cost savings.
Molded and nestable, they are naturally ISPM-15 compliant and space-saving for export, bulk and one-way shipments.
What Makes Millwood Pallet Alternatives Different?
For industries seeking an alternative to wooden pallets, Millwood provides a complete range of engineered solutions in plastic, metal, corrugated and pressed wood. Since 1985, we have been providing wood pallet solutions for our customers, and we understand that wood remains the backbone of most supply chains. But we also know wood pallets are not always right for every application. That’s why we offer complementary pallet alternatives — whether you are looking to reduce freight costs, meet export compliance, improve hygiene or extend pallet life, Millwood helps you find the right solution for your application. We don’t oversell or over-engineer and we don’t under-engineer either — our role is to work with you to deliver a solution that is balanced, efficient and just right for your needs.
Plastic pallets support demanding supply chains where cleanliness and reusability are essential, especially in food, pharmaceutical and automated environments. Metal pallets, built from steel or aluminum, provide unmatched strength and longevity for oversized loads, heavy manufacturing and closed-loop systems. For exporters, corrugated pallets deliver lightweight, recyclable options that lower shipping costs and eliminate ISPM-15 treatments. Pressed wood pallets combine space efficiency with natural compliance, offering molded, nestable designs that reduce storage needs while supporting international and one-way shipments.
Every Millwood pallet alternative is backed by our ISTA-certified Packaging Lab, nationwide distribution network and four decades of engineering expertise. More importantly, we view pallet alternatives not as a replacement for wood, but as part of a holistic program that balances cost, compliance, safety and sustainability across your business. With Millwood, you gain a partner who understands when wood makes sense, when alternatives add value and how the two can work together seamlessly.
3 Ways Millwood Makes Choosing Pallet Alternatives Easy
We Listen & Understand
Every supply chain is unique, and we take the time to understand your application before recommending the right pallet alternative. Our goal is always to align your needs with the best material and design.
We Test First & Build Right
Your pallet solution is verified in our ISTA-certified lab to ensure it performs as intended without wasted cost. By testing before production, we minimize risk, reduce product damage, and optimize performance.
We Deliver Consistently
With a North American footprint and a trusted partner network, Millwood provides reliable delivery across all industries and applications. Whether wood or alternatives, you can count on us to keep your supply chain moving with the right solutions in the right places.
Our Team Would Love to Connect.
Leveraging Our Experience to Serve You.
We understand that customers choosing pallet alternatives are looking for trusted partners who can deliver consistent quality, reliable availability and competitive pricing across multiple materials. Since 1985, Millwood has supported supply chains of every size with solutions that go beyond a single product. We bring the same experience and reliability that made us a leader in wood pallets to our full range of alternatives, tailoring programs to meet each customer’s needs and supporting them with these three guiding principles.
Source and Supply
With 37 strategically located manufacturing and repair facilities, 250+ strategic partners across North America and 1.5 million square feet of manufacturing and distribution space, Millwood controls its supply chain from the forest to the finished product. We handle more than 200,000,000 pallets and process over 100,000,000 board feet of lumber per year. Our vertically integrated operations ensure quality and reliable supply for our customers.
Exceptional Service
Serving others is our highest aim. Our dedicated customer support team delivers personal attention, not automated replies, with the care, integrity and expertise you deserve. We prioritize people by listening to your questions and concerns to provide the best support. When you connect with Millwood, you can expect an experience marked by professional care and genuine responsiveness. Trust us for consistent, customer-focused service that truly exceeds your expectations.
Sustainable
Operating under a culture of Perfect Stewardship, Millwood is committed to efficiency without compromise to our environment. From the way that our trees are harvested to our innovative line of sustainable packaging products and numerous recycling programs, we will work with you to reduce waste and meet your sustainability goals. Partner with us for sustainable solutions that support your business while protecting our planet.
Providing Comprehensive Pallet Solutions that Scale as Your Business Grows.
LET'S BUILD TOGETHER
Building strategically with Millwood means having a partner who can grow with you—no matter your size or goals. Whether you’re operating two locations or two hundred, choosing Millwood is a smart move because we are built for scale. We serve some of the nation’s largest brands and know how to support growth at every stage, from startups expanding rapidly to industry leaders adding facilities nationwide. That scalability ensures your packaging and pallet supply stays reliable and efficient as your business evolves.
We make scaling simple because we understand multi-location needs and service them with one integrated solution. Our nationwide reach and proven processes mean you don’t have to manage different suppliers for each region—we take care of it all. When time is critical and your business is growing fast, our ability to deliver consistently, at scale, across multiple facilities makes us a strategic partner you can count on.
Millwood is more than a pallet supplier—we’re a one-stop packaging solutions partner. From pallets to load securement, recycling solutions and strategic sourcing, we help optimize your supply chain and support your sustainability goals. Whether you buy 500 pallets a month or 5 million, we have the infrastructure, expertise and flexibility to scale with you. Partnering with Millwood means you gain a reliable ally who helps you focus on your growth while we handle your packaging needs. We would look forward to talking with you to see how we can help serve you.
As part of our Load Securement & Protection product line, Millwood’s Corner Protectors are designed to protect products from dents, strapping abrasions and shipping and handling damage.
Millwood Lab
Our ISTA-certified test lab gives customers confidence that their wood pallets and packaging solutions will perform in real-world conditions. By simulating shipping and handling environments, we test, verify and optimize designs to reduce product damage, minimize waste and improve supply chain efficiency.
PalletView
Track the quantity and condition of various managed assets such as pallets, tier sheets, plastic dunnage and airbags with PalletView, our proprietary web-based application.
Pallet Recycling
Millwood offers complete pallet recycling programs to retrieve, inspect, recover and remanufacture or repair pallets. Our recycled pallet and recovery programs include green recycling processes that complement corporate sustainability initiatives.
See How We've Helped Others
A national building materials manufacturer was losing money and wasting resources due to incorrect pallet specs, high disposal costs and thousands of pallets sent to landfill each month. Their sustainability goals demanded a smarter, more responsible solution.
By correcting the pallet design and opening a dedicated repair-and-return facility within 10 miles of their warehouse, we reduced waste, cut costs and supported their environmental commitments — proving sustainability and savings can go hand in hand.
- Achieved $2 million in annual savings through optimized pallet management
- Repaired and repurposed 8,000 pallets monthly, preventing landfill waste
- Established a dedicated repair-and-return facility for continuous circular reuse
Reliable. Available. Local.
We understand it is important to know that your pallets will be delivered on time, every time. That's why we are where you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pallet alternatives such as plastic, metal, corrugated and pressed wood complement wooden pallets by solving challenges wood cannot. They provide advantages in hygiene, strength, export compliance and sustainability, making them a valuable addition to most supply chains.
Most supply chains still depend on wood pallets, but certain applications demand alternatives. Plastic adds hygiene and reusability, metal offers long-term strength, corrugated lowers freight costs and pressed wood supports export compliance. Millwood helps companies integrate alternatives alongside wood pallets, ensuring each application is matched with the right solution for efficiency, cost control, and reliability.
Corrugated, pressed wood, and plastic pallets are the most common alternatives for export. They reduce freight weight, meet ISPM-15 compliance without added treatment, and help shippers streamline international logistics while keeping shipping costs under control.
Exporters often turn to pallet alternatives to simplify compliance and reduce expense. Corrugated pallets cut air freight weight, pressed wood is naturally ISPM-15 compliant and plastic is also exempt from treatment. Millwood engineers export programs that balance alternatives with wood pallets, ensuring efficient global transport while minimizing risk of delays, damage or regulatory issues.
Plastic and metal pallets cost more upfront than wood, but in the right systems they reduce replacement costs, extend pallet life and support automation, making them highly cost-effective complements to traditional wood pallets.
Metal pallets can last 10–15 years in closed-loop programs, and plastic pallets are reusable hundreds of times. These long-term advantages lower replacement spend, reduce product damage and align with automation. At the same time, wood remains cost-effective for other applications. Millwood helps companies design hybrid pallet programs where each material delivers the best value, creating a balanced approach that maximizes ROI across the supply chain.
There is no single best alternative to wooden pallets. Plastic, metal, corrugated and pressed wood each provide unique benefits, and the right choice depends on the specific needs and goals of your supply chain.
Plastic pallets are reusable and hygienic, making them ideal for food and pharma. Metal pallets provide unmatched strength for heavy manufacturing. Corrugated pallets lower freight costs and simplify exports, while pressed wood pallets are nestable and naturally ISPM-15 compliant. Millwood works with customers to match the right alternative with the right application, ensuring wood and non-wood pallets complement each other in a balanced, cost-effective program.
Pallet alternatives support sustainability by reducing waste, reusing materials and extending service life. From recyclable corrugated to decades-long metal use, they help businesses meet environmental goals while complementing wood pallet recycling programs.
Corrugated and pressed wood pallets are recyclable and often made from by-products, supporting circular economy initiatives. Plastic pallets can be washed, reused and recycled, while metal pallets provide decades of service. Together with Millwood’s wood pallet recycling programs, alternatives give businesses a comprehensive sustainability strategy. This approach reduces landfill waste, extends material life cycles and helps companies align with both corporate sustainability targets and customer expectations.
Yes. Millwood supplies pallet alternatives nationwide through 37 facilities and 250 partner locations. This ensures consistent quality, reliable availability and local service no matter where your operations are located in North America.
With 37 facilities and more than 250 partner locations, Millwood supplies pallet alternatives wherever customers operate. This national footprint enables standardized programs across facilities, consolidates vendor management, and ensures on-time delivery. Whether you need corrugated pallets for exports, plastic for hygiene or metal for heavy loads, Millwood integrates alternatives seamlessly with wood pallets into a single, reliable supply chain solution.