Where to Get Pallets For DIY Projects
Many people aren't sure where to locate pallets to use for DIY projects. Find small businesses that receive frequent deliveries on pallets.
Avoid pallets with staining or are marked with MB, which indicates they were flimsified with Methyl Bromide. This treatment leaves behind chemical residues and makes the pallets unsafe for use by DIY.
Grocery Stores
Grocery stores are a good place to search for pallets for free, as they often receive shipments of dry products on pallets. While larger companies may have a system to reuse or recycle pallets, smaller grocery stores will be happy to provide you with a few for the project. Be sure to inspect them for spills and stains which could cause mold and other bacteria.
Furniture stores can also be a great source of pallets made of wood since they receive shipments that have large furniture on them. Packaging Revolution says that they are more likely to have pallets they don't use and are willing sell. You should be cautious about purchasing pallets marked MB, or HT from these places, as they may have been treated with chemicals or pesticides that are harmful to use.
You can also search for pallets for free on marketplaces for social media like Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp. These marketplaces allow users to search for items near them and could have listings for wooden pallets. Use gloves made of heavy duty to handle these pallets. They may have nails or splinters sticking out and are often very filthy.
Retail Stores
You'll likely have the easiest time sourcing wood pallets from local retailers. They usually ship in bulk and have an abundance of pallets that they're looking to get rid of. They'll typically be happy to provide these pallets for no cost or at a low price, especially if you can pick them up regularly.
Hardware and furniture stores are also excellent places to search for pallets. Since these stores handle dry goods, they'll likely have clean, tidy pallets you can use. Make sure to ask the store owner first if you are able to use their pallets. You'll find that they are less busy in the morning or late afternoon, and are more willing to offer their pallets.
Find pallets marked with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) stamp, and stay clear of pallets painted blue or that have any strange staining. These pallets could have been sprayed with chemicals, like Methyl Bromide (MB), which is toxic to humans and animals. Avoid wooden pallets that have been treated with MB and choose those that have been treated with SF.
Furniture Stores
Shopping malls, department stores and even smaller shops that sell items like home entertainment systems or powered office or home shades frequently receive pallets for shipments. These are excellent locations to locate clean, dry pallets. Make sure you visit them early in the morning, or later in the day, when their shipments are arriving and being cleared. The owners will be less occupied and more open to you. Bars are another great source of pallets, as they typically receive heavy cans and bottles that are placed on pallets. Beware of pallets that have been soaked in alcohol or other liquids however, since moisture can cause damage to the wood.
While large corporations are a great place to look for pallets however, they're not always the best choice as they already have procedures in which they recycle or reuse their pallets. Instead, look for small businesses that have many pallets of shipments and are willing to offer you their unused pallets, Old World Garden Farms suggests. You can also find pallets for free at distribution centers. They typically have pallets that don't work or do not meet their standards.
Construction Sites
You've probably seen pallets leaned against a structure or sitting next to a dumpster, but even though they look like trash, they might be free for the taking. Small-scale businesses typically aren't able to hire a hauling service and then throw away their unwanted pallets, but if you ask them politely to give them a hand, they may offer some.
You can also find wooden pallets at your local hardware store. They receive large shipments of merchandise and store furnishings on pallets, and they might have extras that they don't require.
Pallets are also available in furniture stores. They get massive deliveries of furniture on pallets, and are likely to have some spares they'd like to give away for free or at a low price, according to Packaging Revolution.
You can also find low-cost or free pallets on online marketplaces like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Be aware that if a pallet is marked with an ownership stamp on it such as CHEP, PECO, iGPS, Coca-Cola or the U.S. Postal Service, you should not take it because they protect their property rights and you could face legal problems in the event that you violate their rights without permission.
Pet Stores
Pet stores are more than just retail establishments. They provide a wide range of shopping experience and expert advice for pet lovers. They help foster a sense of belonging to pet owners by promoting animal welfare and ethical considerations as well as active involvement in the community.
Many pet stores offer more than just an array of products. They also provide specific services, like pet adoption as well as training workshops and health seminars. They also collaborate with local animal shelters and rescue organizations to promote responsible pet ownership and decrease the number of pets who are homeless.
Smaller independent pet stores may be willing give away their pallets. It is important to first inquire for the pallets, as they could have a stamp of ownership from a corporation like CHEP, PECO or iGPS.
Wholesale pet food pallets offer many brands that are ideal for retailers and individuals who want to provide the best nutrition for their furry friends. For instance, Blue Buffalo offers high-quality recipes that are free of artificial preservatives and fillers while kibble from Orijen mimics the natural diet of wild animals, helping to improve digestive health.
Newspapers
Many newspapers receive large volumes of papers in rolls on pallets. Because of this, they're an excellent source for free wood pallets. pallet prices can also find a lot of them in local recycling centers. You can also ask small, local hardware stores whether they have pallets that have been used. However, some stores might not be able to give pallets for free since they may have agreements with their suppliers to return the pallets.
Pallets are also available in large chain stores that purchase large quantities of. Some of these stores will leave their pallets in dumpsters to be picked up for trash However, before you pick them, be sure to inquire about their availability in the area you live in, as certain areas have laws that prohibit disposing of trash that belongs to someone else without permission.
Look into the free section of Craigslist because some people have pallets listed there when they're ready for pick up. Be quick because these are typically snapped up quickly. You can also search construction sites for pallets. You can also look at pallet construction sites.
Manufacturing
Pallets that are strong and sturdy will not break under massive loads. These pallets are typically made of plastic, wood or steel and can be specifically designed for shipping or storage reasons. Hygienic pallets are also required by manufacturers to protect their products. They often prefer plastic pallets because they are easy to clean, disinfect, and sterilize.
Some manufacturers, such as feed and tack stores, may be able to offer pallets for free to groups who require to use them for their homes. These smaller-volume stores are more likely to have extra pallets lying around than larger stores that sell more volume.
In the United States there are between 1 and 2 million wood container and pallet producers. They manufacture new wooden pallets and shipping barrels, wood boxes and shipping crates. They also repair and sell used pallets. Those that cannot be repaired are crushed and sold as mulch, animal bedding or wood shavings.
First Alliance Logistics Management offers a variety of high-quality pallets manufactured in the US to help businesses of all sizes reduce cost of supply chain. These durable, sturdy plastic pallets are a great option for any company seeking to improve productivity, cut costs, and increase the resilience to their operations.