A PLB pallet is a pallet marked with the PLB name, a branding associated with US pallet rental pooling. Treat it as possibly owned by a pool operator until ownership is confirmed.
Detailed Definition
Rental pallet pools mark their pallets with a company name, color or both so they can be identified and recovered. Pallets marked PLB turn up in used pallet streams in the US, and like other branded pool pallets they may remain the property of the company that owns the pool, or of a company that later took over its fleet. Before reusing, repairing, selling or grinding a PLB-marked pallet, a recycler or receiver should establish who owns it. Brand ownership can change over time through mergers or exits, so check current information.
Recognizing rental pool markings
Pool pallets are usually identified by some combination of paint color, stenciled or branded company names, ownership statements and sometimes tracking labels. Major US pools are easy to spot, such as CHEP blue and PECO red. Less common or older brands are harder, because markings may be faded, painted over or unfamiliar to staff. Train sorters to set aside any pallet with a company name or ownership statement they do not recognize.
Handling pallets from smaller or older pools
- Keep marked pallets separate from white-wood stock.
- Photograph the markings and record how many you hold.
- Try to identify the current owner, for example through industry contacts or the NWPCA.
- Do not remove or paint over markings.
- If no owner can be found, keep records of the steps taken before deciding what to do with the pallets.
These steps protect the business if an owner later asks for its pallets back.
Why ownership checks matter for recycled stock
Customers who buy recycled pallets expect to own them. Selling a pallet that belongs to a pool can lead to the pallet being reclaimed from the customer and to disputes with the owner. Keeping pool-marked pallets out of resale stock avoids both problems.
Related Glossary Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do with PLB-marked pallets I receive?
Treat them like any branded pool pallet: separate them from your own pallets, store them where they will not be reused by mistake, and try to identify the current owner before doing anything else. If an owner is found, arrange return through its process. If you cannot identify an owner, keep photos and records of your efforts. Avoid repairing, reselling or grinding them until ownership is clear.
Why do pallet rental companies mark their pallets?
Marks and colors show that the pallet is rented, not sold, and tell receivers and recyclers who owns it. That lets the owner recover pallets from many locations and reduces losses, which keep rental costs down. Markings also help settle disputes, because a recycler or user who handles a clearly marked pallet cannot easily claim it was mistaken for an ordinary purchased pallet.