A scene outside of a craft beer location in Vancouver, Canada. Keeping your eyes open is fundamental to securing free pallets. A word of caution, the pallets in the photo have “Property of…” wording which means you should pass on these ones.
Editor’s note: Do you have pallets you need to be removed? People looking for pallets have posted their contact information in the comment section below.
Wondering where to find free or low-cost pallets? I often receive inquiries about where to find such pallets to start a home craft project, or more steady sources of used pallets to generate work as a pallet street vendor or a pallet recycling business. Pallets available at no cost typically include unusual sizes, small qualities, or ones that are otherwise undesirable due to poor condition or appearance.
Ten Places to Find Free Pallets for Hobbyists/Crafters
Free pallets can be found in a great variety of places where pallets are emptied, or where they are disposed of. Once you become mindful of pallets, whether you see them being unloaded at a location or being set outside to rest against a wall, the possibility of securing a supply begins to emerge. Empty pallets might be the end result of a regular delivery cycle, such as the regular consignment to a feed and tack store, so once you develop a pattern, you can keep on going back to the same location on the day they typically are available. Unlike the regular delivery cycle, however, there are also “one-off” palletized deliveries that result in unwanted empty pallets. For those ones, it may come down to being in the right place at the right time.
The best pallets are in new condition, with clean, dry wood. Pallets which have been used several times can be soiled and stained. They are more likely to harbor bacteria, and thus are less attractive to the pallet hobbyist. For a pallet enthusiast looking for a weathered appearance, however, the latter just might be perfect.
Here are ten sources for free, clean pallets:
- Bars and craft beer locations
- Pet food stores
- Feed & Tack stores
- Stationary shops
- Furniture stores
- Liquor stores
- Schools
- Flooring stores
- Other small retail
- Construction sites
Ask Before Taking Pallets
Where only small quantities are available, or where the pallets are not one of the popular sizes such as 48×40”, then pallets are more likely to be happily released at no charge to the collector. It should be cautioned that pallets stored outside of a small business are not necessarily “free for the taking.” The pallet collector should receive permission from the business owner before removing pallets. Once you have established a relationship with the proprietor, however, the pallet enthusiast may be given blanket permission to come by and pick up empty pallets.
One cautionary note is the issue of pallet markings. If the pallet has an ownership stamp on it, such as CHEP, PECO, iGPS, Coca-Cola, U.S. Postal Service or others, then these pallets should not be removed. Such companies claim to vigorously enforce the property rights to their pallets, and you may find yourself charged with unlawful possession of them.
Also of concern are issues of contamination and safe handling. Please refer to the links immediately below to explore further.
Purchasing Used Pallets
In addition to finding old pallets, they may also be purchased – typically online. The Home Depot offers recycled pallets and disassembled recycled pallet kits, while pallet wood is also available on sites such as Etsy and Craigslist. This business offers old pallet wood to customers in South Carolina.
Further Reading:
Standard Pallet Sizes in Inches and Centimeters
Are Wood Pallets Safe for Crafting?
Commercial Pallet Collection
Larger quantities of standard sized 48×40″ pallets or other popular sizes often command a price. Small quantities of empty pallets are often picked up by pallet street vendors, commonly referred to as pallet pickers, who in turn, typically sell them to pallet recycling companies. Larger pallet recycling companies provide regular pickup or dock sweep services to businesses which regularly generate large quantities of empty pallets.
Larger generators of surplus pallet cores often have an expectation of being paid for them and may have an exclusive arrangement in place with a recycling company. You will soon get an idea of what prevailing market prices are for cores in your area, and these vary from region to region, depending upon supply and demand. The Recycle Record is a market report that provides regional information about recycled pallet pricing. In addition to price, pallet recyclers may also compete for cores with respect to service. The pallet recycler may be required to drop empty trailers for the business to load as it generates empty pallets, or to provide smaller quantity pickup if the business does not have room or a dock door to facilitate storage of empty pallets inside or on a drop trailer.
For picking up smaller pallet quantities, pallet street vendors may use flatbed or pickup trucks, and sometimes utility trailers. Be sure to practice pallet handling safety. Use gloves to protect hands from slivers, use proper lifting technique, including keeping the pallet close to the torso and back straight. Because pallets can often weigh 60 pounds or more, proper lifting technique should be employed, utilizing the help of other individuals or lift equipment such as forklifts where available.
Larger recyclers often purchase pallets from pallet street vendors who accumulate pallets from small businesses. Typically they drop these off at the recycler’s yard, sorting them into appropriate stacks after arrival. Many recycling businesses now take safeguards to prevent any concern about dealing in stolen pallets. As such, they may require a photocopy of the street vendor’s driver’s license, and pay by check.
I am looking for Pallets in the winter Park, Orlando area!
I do free pallet removal in Baltimore MD please email me
gorjess110318@gmail.com
I looking for free pallets I’m in Atlanta, ga
Free pallets for pickup. We have 30-40. (866)738-0223 48″x40″ Lisle,IL
Am looking for free pallets desperately! Please call or text me at 6094013366
I am looking for wood pallets in the Suffolk County, New York area, reasonably priced or free
Looking for free pallets larger ones really need them. I am disabled and do craft stuff please . Call or text me 217-454 -9498. In Decatur, IL Please
Looking for larger free pallets wood , NOT regular size I’m am disabled and do craft stuff ,please . Call or text me 217-454-9498 any and all of Decatur, IL
I am in the Bronx , Ny am interested in picking up your pallets.
Looking for free pallets in the Bronx, Ny
I am looking for free wood pallets Suwanee GA
Tel:404-922-7990 text please thanks
Looking cor free ballets.48 ×40.32.
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We’re looking for free 48×40 Wood pallets in and around the Austin Texas area . THANX in advance ?
I’m looking for Free large industdial pallets 5X5 or 10X10 in the Flint or Genesee County Area or anywhere in Michigan
Euro pallet is based on wooden pallets used in railway transportation. Euro pallets are also seen as special equipment for stacking packages. The material which facilitates the storage, transportation and transportation of products is very valuable in the transportation equipment sector. In addition, Euro pallets are known to be environmentally friendly.
Please send/post a contact email or number thanks
I’m looking for cheap or free pallets in Brookhaven my area.
Looking for about 20 pallets to be used to do a wall inside of a church.
I’m looking for free pallets Orlando/Sanford area!
I have 30 pallets plus for free.
Hi I am looking for some wooden pallets to use as low tables for a 50th birthday party. Pick up in or around Austin/Leander Texas. Thanks! .
Grants pass Oregon country diy mom and granny are in need of free pallette
We can pick up
I am looking for free pallets for a floor project near Bloomfield CT
I have 15 wood pallets to give away in NYC. Zip Code 10016.
Email me.
David
Looking for free pallets in deltona/sanford fl area please call me if you can help me 386-299-1425.
I pick up pallets for free in Bakersfield CA
Have pallets for sale for small business are private customer in the Indianapolis Carmen ,Fisher,Westfield area of Indianapolis my name is Greg you can reach me at 317-987-1092 will deliver prices are negotiable.
I m looking for free pallets around Gauteng province 0793387055 jerrykubayi@mail.com