The History Of Pallet Wrap

Pallet wrap has been fundamental to the industrial sector for the last century. The early history of pallet wrap can be traced back to the 1920s when the first pallets were introduced. At that time, pallets were wrapped with ropes and other types of bindings to secure the load during transportation. As palletization became widespread, companies started looking for more efficient and effective ways to protect their goods.

In the 1960s, the first plastic stretch wrap was developed, providing a lightweight and durable material that could easily wrap around a pallet and hold the load in place. This new material quickly gained popularity due to its ability to provide superior protection to goods compared to traditional methods.

During the 1970s and 1980s, advances in technology led to the development of new types of stretch films. One such innovation was the introduction of pre-stretched films that offered higher levels of elasticity and better load stability. The advent of thinner films also made it possible to reduce the amount of material used while still providing adequate protection for goods.

A Growing Problem

Since the 1960’s, the pallet wrap industry has seen exponential growth. According to a report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, global plastic production increased from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to 368 million tons in 2019. Plastic pallet wrap is also the second biggest source of plastic waste in North America (cigarette butts taking first place). And in fact, we’ve made enough plastic wrap since World War 11 to wrap the entire world in plastic wrap.

The issue of waste alone is one of the many reasons Canadian companies are choosing to partner with CSBS. If you’d like to realize your ESG goals, one of the simplest and most impactful changes that you can make is to eliminate plastic wrap.

Book a call with a sustainable pallet consultant today.

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