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?
Shipping Your Beer Using Pallets – A Complete Resource Guide for Brewers
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 that 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 the 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 techniques, including keeping the pallet close to the torso and back straight. Because pallets can often weigh 60 pounds or more, proper lifting techniques 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 need some free pallets! I live in Dunnellon FL Please call or write. (410) 799-8128
Or email me at: doysharp@yahoo.com. thank you!
Looking for free wood pallets in the tri cities area in tn
I am looking for 10 free heat sealed pallets in the Des Moines, I a. area. I will pick up. Phone calls preferred over email. Thanks! 515-656-9009
I’m looking for free pallets. Thanks. Clayton Rogers. 205-230-2797. clayton.rogers25@yahoo.com
I’m looking for free pallets. Thanks. Clayton Rogers. 205-230-2797
Hello everyone. I’m looking for free pallets. I’m in Alabama. Will pickup. 205-230-2797. Thank you.
Looking for free 40×48 wooden pallets in central or eastern Pennsylvania
Babington Mills
Looking for free pallets in my area
D.Brooks says I need free pallets in DMV area 4432258262 my email is dmbrooks71@gmail.com.
Need some Pallets close to Lega Ozarks Missouri for free please
Need free pallets
Lowell Oregon btw
Looking for pallets in boone county west Virginia
Looking for free pallets
Perth
Western Australia
Looking for free pallets in Vancouver, BC. My email is Malikovskaia.ann@icloud.com. Thank you!
I need free 5 ft by 10 ft pallets in Upstate South Carolina for a non profit. Beyond grateful for any help. Thank you
I am looking for a whole bunch of pallets two-by-fours and stuff like that if you have them I’m I’ll rent a truck I need them for free though I live in Portland Oregon please let me know thank you so much have a great day God bless you
I need 48×40 pallets in or near Tacoma Washington. I repair them so any quality works and I can pick them up so any quantity works. Thank you in advance!
schmitt.mikaela.a@gmail.com
Thanks for finally writing about >Ten Places to Find Free Pallets | Reusable Packaging News <Loved it!
Hi everyone I’m looking for 48×40 white wood pallets. I’m in the Delaware Maryland area. Willing to pick up!
In need of pallets. Missouri
I need free pallets to make myself an art shed if you have any please call me at +17052060462 I live in Canada
We sell any size of pallets. Southern California
I hope all is well & healthy. Im looking for 24, free pallets. I live in Winchester, Va & am willing to pick up.
I need free palettes, thanks!
I need pallets in the southern mississippi area.
Pallets Scarborough area will pay must deliver, please
Looking for free wooden pallets in the Powell, Tn or Knoxville, TN area. I need a minimum of three (3), would be happy to receive up to seven (7) and am happy to pick them up. Please call 936.366.2528 or email jeaneland@mac.com or jeanland@yahoo.com. Hope your day is good!
I’m looking for six 48″x40″ wood pallets in Los Angeles County. If you have any please contact me at +13105250664 or by email: heatherlhostetler@gmail.com. Thank you!
Im looking for free wood pallets. I need only 3. I live in san marcos texas. Any informations will be appriciated.
Looking for free wood pallets Ontario Canada : Dufferin County : Orangeville/ Shelburne area
I am looking for free/low cost pallets in attempt to stack to build a small deck off of the back of a shed. I will need a large amount. Anything to start would be appreciated. My name is Brittany and I live in Albrightsville PA. Contact @ bbarben7@gmail.com