
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.
But first things first. Before you think about collecting and working with old pallets, make sure you take the necessary safety precautions. A recent study reports on injuries associated with home pallet usage.
One other thing to keep in mind is that the world is currently facing a wood pallet shortage, as I explain in this article: As World Faces Pallet Shortage, Free Pallets For Hobbyists May Be Harder to Find. As a result, free pallet availability might be more challenging in the near term. The good news, however, is that free pallets will still be available in places where retrieval is more challenging or expensive, or where pallets are purely intended for one-time usage. (Article continues below.)
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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
Start Your Search By Browsing Through Online Classifieds
Free Pallets: Ask Before Taking
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. Another business offers old pallet wood to customers in South Carolina. In 2020, I reported on two pallet companies that offer reclaimed pallet lumber in this article.
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 such as 3PL facilities 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.
Pallet Enthusiast Essential Reading
Pallet safety study: after shipping, pallets pose big risk to public, cause many accidents, injuries
Are Wood Pallets Safe for Crafting?
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Will remove about 8 to 10 heat treated pallets, to build something special for missionary that are coming to visit. Need asap. Thank you so much for the article. Text 937-776-2822 Dayton, Ohio
Thanks for sharing knowledge about Commercial Pallet Collection. I have gain a lots of information from this article.
I would love to have 6-8 hardwood pallets to use for recycled compost. IWe are in the are of Huntsville, Alabama.
I am in Lauren’s South Carolina , I would love to collect ten to fifteen pallets. For community project.
I pick up pallets in Tennessee area call 815 295-0709 ask for Charles
I would to have 5-10 hardwood pallets to use for my backyard. We are in the area of Naperville, IL.
I need 20 for a project in my back yard
I need pallets by the hundred
Need free pallets or not buy a 100
I would like 9-10 4 foot by 4 foot hardwood pallets for backyard project. I live in Torrington Ct
Wood Crate
Dimensions ( 48 L x 48 W x 48 H “)
I.D. of 44.25 x 44.25 x 41.125
Weight Capacity 3,000 lbs.
Heat Treated and Stamped for export shipment.
3 runners that are 4 x 4 with a solid 2 x 6 deck for skid. The sides, ends and top are made from 3/8 plywood and 2 x 4 cleats.
Let me know the prices on this and I will get you the quantity needed. However if you don’t have these types, I would appreciate you contacting me back with some prices and the other types you have or which are much similar.
Thank you
I have 45 x 45 x45 shipping crates in Gladespring Va. also looking for pallet to recycle call me at 276-608-5379
I have 45 x 45 x45 shipping crates in Gladespring Va. also looking for pallet to recycle call me at 276-608-5379
I would love to have abt 20 pallets for a back yard project for me and my kids
Looking to build a room for a home need a place to live
Hi too all I am need of pallets please contact me Joseph on (09)2679097
You have any pallets you would love to get off your hands , places I pick up pallets greenville sc area Spartanburg sc Gaffney sc