What Is Paper Pallet Wrapping?
For businesses considering their choices for eco friendly pallet wrapping, a new option has recently become available – a paper pallet wrap system.
Whilst many available plastic pallet wrapping films can be classified as sustainable packaging materials due to their recyclability or recycled content, paper offers a different direction in the journey to a greener warehouse.
The new paper pallet wrapping system enables the use of the paper wrapping alternative and is also configured to offer a green system overall.
Key eco benefits of paper pallet wrap:
- Fully recyclable through standard UK paper recycling streams
- Avoids secondary packaging like edge protectors
- Minimal glue use keeps recycling simple
- Reduces reliance on single-use plastics
How Does Paper Pallet Wrap Compare to Plastic Stretch Film?
A paper pallet wrapping system wraps the material around the pallet to secure and stabilise the goods on it, in much the same way that a system using conventional plastic pallet wrap would.
However, as there is elasticity in plastic films these are sometimes stretched as they are applied or pre-stretched in manufacture so that they ‘snap back’ onto the palleted goods. The paper system does not use any stretch force, due to potential tearing of the material, but still creates a highly stable pallet load – see the section What products benefit from paper pallet wrapping? below.
Post-use, the paper pallet wrap is highly recyclable, due to the following:
- Paper recycling facilities, including kerbside collections, are widely available across the UK, with quoted recycling rates of anywhere between 74% and 86% (dependent on source) – almost ten times more widely available than facilities for flexible plastics.
- Paper has a high recycling value as it is simple to reprocess, with a wide range of onward uses.
- The paper pallet wrap compatible with the paper pallet wrapping system is uncoated, so there is no restriction on its recycling route.
- Equally, the process uses only a minimal amount of glue, also ensuring that the recyclability isn’t compromised.
- Finally, no other secondary packaging, such as edge protectors, is needed, keeping recycling at any point in the supply chain very simple.
Paper Pallet Wrapping Equipment and Process
In order to take advantage of this paper pallet wrapping alternative, it must be applied using a paper pallet wrapping machine.
Our new paper-compatible machine is a semi-automatic turntable wrapper, loaded by forklift. This means that the pallet is placed on a rotating turntable, with the paper applied to it from a stationary dispenser.
It features a tilting paper carriage that wraps in an upward motion only which keeps paper use and folds to a minimum, reducing overall material use.
The all-in-one unit also incorporates an integrated gluing dispenser which glues the final paper layer to ensure it remains in position. At the end of the wrapping cycle, it cuts the paper automatically and resets ready for the next pallet. No additional equipment is needed to complete the pallet wrapping process.
What Products Benefit from Paper Pallet Wrapping?
The paper pallet wrapping alternative is an ideal choice for a wide array of applications, such as:
- Irregularly shaped products
- Products in sacks, boxes or bottles
- Items needing extra pallet stability
- Goods sensitive to sun exposure
Performance benefits include:
- 30% less deformation vs. plastic stretch wrap (EUMOS test at 0.5g)
- Easier to load, transport and store
- Supports sustainable packaging initiatives
A EUMOS test carried out at a force of 0.5g indicated 30% less deformation when compared with a pallet wrapped in plastic stretch wrap. A more solid and stable pallet is more likely to resist damage during transportation and is easier to load and store.
In addition, the paper prevents sun damage to the goods it’s protecting, which could be especially beneficial for cosmetics and pharmaceutical, food and electronics products, including batteries.
How Can YPS Help You Implement Sustainable Pallet Wrapping?
The new paper pallet wrapping equipment is available now. More information is available to read at our Paper Pallet Wrapper page.
YPS has 50 years of experience in supplying automated packaging systems, including pallet wrapping alternatives. We offer a total solution, where we can advise on and supply compatible, sustainable packaging materials from the wide range we hold in our UK warehouse.
“The YPS Team are always happy to talk through the available options for our customers to discover the best solution for their particular application,” commented Glyn Johnson, YPS’ MD. “By exploring the sustainable alternatives in both machinery and materials, our team helps our customers take meaningful steps towards greener supply chains.”
Feel free to contact the YPS Team to discuss your packaging needs and goals – we’d love to hear from you: Get In Touch.
