Steel Roll Cages vs Plastic Tallboys in the Laundry Industry
In commercial laundries, efficiency, durability and safety are non-negotiable. Whether servicing healthcare, hospitality, aged care or industrial clients, laundries rely heavily on materials handling equipment to move linen quickly, safely and cost-effectively. Two of the most common options are plastic tallboy trolleys and steel roll cages.
While plastic tallboys have traditionally been popular, many laundry operators are now reassessing their suitability. Increasingly, steel roll cages are emerging as the superior solution—offering advantages in cost, visibility, strength, manoeuvrability, sustainability and long-term performance.
Below, we explore why steel roll cages are fast becoming the preferred choice in modern laundry environments.
1. Lower Total Cost of Ownership
steel roll cages are generally less expensive than plastic tallboy trolleys, both at the point of purchase and over their operational life.
Plastic tallboys often command a higher price due to moulding costs and material thickness, yet they are more susceptible to cracking, warping and fatigue—particularly in high-volume laundries where trolleys are frequently overloaded, washed down, or exposed to heat and chemicals. Once damaged, plastic units are difficult and uneconomical to repair, resulting in premature replacement.
Steel roll cages, by comparison, are manufactured using welded steel construction that delivers strength, durability and longevity at a lower overall cost. They withstand repeated impacts, maintain structural integrity under heavy loads, and can be repaired or refurbished if damaged. This durability reduces replacement frequency, minimises downtime, and delivers a lower cost per use over the life of the equipment.
2. Superior Visibility and Safer Handling
Visibility is a critical yet often overlooked factor in laundry operations. Plastic tallboys typically have solid walls that obscure contents and restrict the operator’s line of sight when manoeuvring through busy workspaces.
Steel roll cages feature open mesh sides, allowing operators to:
- Clearly see the load
- Maintain better situational awareness
- Reduce the risk of collisions with people, equipment or doorways
Improved visibility directly supports workplace safety, reduces handling incidents, and aligns with WHS obligations—particularly in facilities with shared pedestrian and equipment traffic.
3. Strength and Load Stability
Commercial laundries demand equipment that can handle heavy, bulky and sometimes uneven loads. Plastic tallboys can flex under weight, increasing the risk of tipping, cracking or wheel failure.
Steel roll cages are designed for high load capacity and stability. The rigid steel frame distributes weight evenly, improving balance and control—even when transporting wet linen or oversized loads.
Additionally, steel roll cages are less susceptible to deformation over time, ensuring consistent performance throughout their service life.
4. Shorter Wheelbase and Superior Manoeuvrability
Despite their robust construction, steel roll cages often outperform tallboys in tight or congested environments.
Thanks to a shorter wheelbase and optimised caster placement, steel roll cages:
- Turn more easily in narrow aisles
- Navigate doorways and corners with less effort
- Reduce operator strain during repetitive movements
In high-throughput laundries where hundreds of trolley movements occur daily, improved manoeuvrability has a direct impact on productivity and fatigue reduction.
5. Nesting Design Saves Valuable Floor Space
Space efficiency is critical in laundries, particularly in urban or retrofit facilities. Plastic tallboys are bulky and typically non-nesting, consuming valuable floor space even when not in use.
Steel roll cages are commonly designed to nest inside one another when empty, dramatically reducing their storage footprint. This allows operators to:
- Free up floor space
- Improve workflow layout
- Maintain cleaner, less cluttered environments
For laundries managing peak and off-peak volumes, nesting capability is a significant operational advantage.
6. Easier Maintenance and Repair
When plastic tallboys fail, they often fail permanently. Cracks, broken panels and damaged wheel mounts are difficult to repair effectively.
Steel roll cages are inherently easier to maintain:
- Damaged components can often be welded or replaced
- Wheels and castors are typically standardised
- Frames retain structural integrity even after years of use
This reparability reduces waste, lowers replacement costs and keeps equipment in service longer.
7. Sustainability and End-of-Life Recycling
Sustainability is no longer optional. Introducing more plastic into the environment—particularly hard-to-recycle industrial plastics—creates long-term environmental challenges.
Steel roll cages offer a clear sustainability advantage:
- Steel is 100% recyclable
- At end of life, cages can be repurposed, refurbished or recycled with minimal waste
- Recycling steel requires significantly less energy than producing new material
Plastic tallboys, by contrast, often end up in landfill due to contamination, mixed materials or limited recycling pathways.
For laundries pursuing ESG targets, waste reduction initiatives or sustainability certifications, steel roll cages are the responsible choice.
Conclusion: A Smarter Long-Term Investment
While plastic tallboy trolleys may still have a place in limited or low-intensity applications, they fall short in demanding commercial laundry environments.
Steel roll cages deliver:
- Lower lifetime cost
- Improved visibility and safety
- Greater strength and load stability
- Better manoeuvrability
- Space-saving nesting
- Easier maintenance
- Superior environmental outcomes
For laundries focused on efficiency, durability and sustainability, steel roll cages represent a smarter, future-proof investment.