Green is one of the most common colors used on pallets and in warehouses for marking and organizing inventory. The specific green color used on pallets and for pallet tags or labels is usually referred to as “pallet green” and has a specific color code associated with it.
Pallet Green Color Codes
There are a few different color code systems that are commonly used to represent pallet green. Here are some of the most common pallet green color codes:
- RAL 6002 Leaf Green – This RAL color code refers to a medium-light green shade used on German and European pallets. The hex code for RAL 6002 is #3C9E5D.
- PMS 347 – Pantone Matching System (PMS) 347 is a bright green shade commonly used for pallet tags and labels. The hex code for PMS 347 is #00AB84.
- Federal Standard 595B 34094 – FS 34094 is a green color used on military and government pallets in the United States. The hex code for FS 34094 is #507D2F.
- BS 4800 14-C-39 – British Standard 4800 “pallet green” has a hex code of #427621.
So in summary, the most common green pallet color codes are RAL 6002, PMS 347, FS 34094, and BS 4800 14-C-39. PMS 347 and RAL 6002 “leaf green” are especially popular for pallet tags, labels, and paints.
Purpose of the Green Pallet Color Code
Using a consistent green color for pallets serves some important purposes in warehouses and inventory management:
- Quick Visual Identification – The green color allows workers to quickly spot pallets from a distance and distinguish them from other materials or inventory.
- Designating Empties – Green is often used to designate “empties” – pallets that are ready to be loaded with new inventory.
- Safety – In some settings, green pallets may designate safety aisles or walkways separate from forklift and vehicle traffic.
- Common Standard – Having an industry standard green shade avoids confusion that could be caused by varied colors and makes processes more efficient.
The uniform green color coding for pallets aids logistics operations like inventory tracking, put-away, loading/unloading, and transport between sites. It provides a consistent visual system for workers to quickly identify and move palletized loads.
Shades of Green Used
While the main green pallet color codes listed above are the most widely used, there can be some variation in the exact shade of green from one organization to another. Here are some additional shades of green that may be seen on pallets:
- Mint Green – A lighter green, like RAL 6029 Mint Green. Hex code #98FB98.
- Army Green – A darker olive drab green, similar to FS 34097. Hex code #4B5320.
- Lime Green – A brighter yellow-green like RAL 100 80 60. Hex code #B7F030.
Companies may tweak the green hue to match their branding or make certain pallet types easier to identify. But the core green pallet color codes listed earlier provide the standard, universally recognized green shades for the majority of pallets.
Other Pallet Color Code Standards
In addition to green, other standard pallet colors are used to signify certain meanings:
- Blue pallets – Used for international or one-way shipments.
- Red pallets – Designate hot stock or priority inventory.
- Yellow pallets – Used for food, pharmaceuticals, or other sensitive cargo requiring special handling.
- White pallets – General use or processed pallets ready for reuse.
- Black pallets – Unserviceable, damaged, or defective pallets to be repaired.
However, green remains the most prevalent standard pallet color for general inventory storage and movement. The meaning is consistent between different facilities and supply chain partners to support logistics efficiency.
Pallet Color Codes in Barcodes and Tags
In addition to color-coded pallets, barcodes and pallet tags will also use standard colors to relay information at a glance. Here are some examples:
| Barcode/Tag Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Green | Empties or ready for put-away |
| Red | Hot pick |
| Blue | Do not move |
| Yellow | Caution or special handling |
| Orange | Hold for inspection |
| White | General pallet tag |
Using color codes on pallet tags helps workers quickly direct pallets without needing to read and interpret the text on each tag. It speeds up sorting, put-away, picking, and shipping processes in busy warehouse environments.
Color Code Significance in Warehouses
The prevalent use of color coding for pallets and pallet tags in warehouses enables efficient movement of inventory. Color codes improve warehouse productivity in several ways:
- Faster identification of pallet status from a distance.
- Improved inventory tracking as pallets move between zones.
- Less errors in put-away and order picking with visual color cues.
- Safer traffic flow as green designates walkways separated from forklifts.
- Better organization with designated areas for different pallet colors.
Green is especially useful for designating high traffic areas in warehouses. Forklifts and workers can quickly recognize green zones as safe walking aisles separate from inventory storage. This prevents accidents and injuries.
The meaning of each color code does need proper training for warehouse personnel. But once understood, the color system enhances organization, safety, and efficiency.
International Standardization
For global supply chains, it’s important for color pallet standards to be shared between countries whenever possible. Some initiatives have worked to synchronize pallet colors internationally such as:
- European Pallet Association (EPAL) standards used across Europe.
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO) pallet standards.
- Coordination Council for North American Pallet Associations (CCNAPA) standards.
There remain some regional variations. But overall the major color codes like green for empties or new stock are widely recognized globally. This allows seamless transport and understanding of pallet status between international warehouses and logistics providers.
Industry Pallet Color Code Standards
In some major industries, additional standard pallet colors have been adopted within that vertical sector:
| Industry | Common Pallet Color Codes |
|---|---|
| Produce | PLU codes denote product (banana – 1011, lettuce – 4155) |
| Beverage | Blue – Bottles, Red – Cans, Brown – Beer |
| Dairy | Red plastic – Milk, Blue plastic – Yogurt |
| Automotive | Yellow – Finished vehicles, Red – High value parts |
| Pharmaceutical | Blue plastic – Medical devices, Orange – Drug shipment |
This allows companies within the same industry to align on shared color coding conventions to improve supply chain interactions.
Evolving Technology for Pallet Identification
While color coding remains ubiquitous on pallets themselves, technology is enabling other methods to digitally identify and track pallets such as:
- Barcodes – 1D and 2D barcodes encode pallet numbers and serialized tracking.
- RFID tags – Embed data and remotely scan pallets via radio signals.
- Image recognition – Cameras and machine vision identify pallets and contents.
- IoT sensors – Connected sensors monitor pallet status, temperature, humidity, etc.
However, these technologies still benefit from consistent color coding as a visual fail safe to back up digital scanning. So standard pallet colors continue providing a quick, analog way to recognize pallet status at a glance.
Conclusions
Green pallet color coding has become an indispensable visual language in warehouses and logistics centers. The ability to instantly recognize empty or active pallets improves inventory handling efficiency and safety. While regional variations exist, core green shades like RAL 6002 and PMS 347 provide a widely adopted standard. New technologies are enhancing digital pallet tracking, but simple color coding endures as a fast way to communicate essential pallet status information to workers across the supply chain.
