Answered: How Should You Get Rid of Wooden Pallets?

After large-scale transportation, dealing with wooden pallets is one of the biggest issues businesses face. If your business deals in buying products, components, raw materials and other stock on pallets, they must be a common waste.

They pile up in the warehouse, take up valuable space and create a nuisance if not disposed of properly. Disposal of pallets might seem straightforward, but you require correct knowledge to dispose of them ethically and in an eco-friendly manner.

Whether you have a few pallets lying or a large stack in a warehouse, there are several ways to dispose of them safely and responsibly. From donating and selling to recycling or renting a dumpster, we have mentioned all the possible ways for pallet disposal. Have a look at all the methods in detail and choose the one that fits your preferences.

Best Options for Disposing of Pallets

Pallets must be removed from the warehouse after their use is completed to create space and lower the risk of fire. Here are some ethical methods to dispose of pallets and declutter your space:

Sell them to Local Businesses

Pallets can be sold to local companies or individuals that require them for transportation or storage at a competitive price. Pallets of diverse shapes, sizes, and conditions can be sold, from little to large, brand-new to broken, and made of wood to metal. Large pallets are worth more than small ones, and new pallets are worth more than damaged ones because the latter require maintenance.

To sell pallets at a reasonable price, you can get in touch with nearby retailers, pallet brokers, bulk buyers and manufacturers. Other than that, you can use online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist, etc., to sell pallets. Besides third-party vendors, even palette recycling companies take them for some money. This method not only allows you to dispose of pallets and declutter your space but also lets you earn extra money.

Donate to Charitable Organizations

Another simple way to dispose of pallets is by donating them to charitable organizations and agencies like NGOs, welfare homes, trade schools, emergency shelters, orphanages, etc. Charitable agencies like Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, United Way, etc., use pallets to build shelters for the homeless, disaster victims, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals. By donating pallets, you are not just disposing of them but also supporting your community. You can even give pallets to community members like local charities, community groups, charitable drives and events, etc.

Pallets can also be used as firewood for local homeless shelters to increase warmth and cook food. Therefore, even if you have broken pallets, consider giving them to charitable agencies and needy individuals for firewood use. Some small local businesses even accept pallets as donations to store their stock. This way, you get rid of them while supporting other people.

Rent a Dumpster to Remove the Pallets from Your Location

Renting a dumpster is a straightforward and effective way to dispose of waste, including pallets. If your area lacks a recycling facility, dumpster rental becomes an ideal option. These companies provide various sizes of dumpsters based on the type, volume, and weight of your waste. Simply load your pallets into the dumpster, and the company will handle the pickup. A truck will collect the dumpster and dispose of the contents in an eco-friendly manner. This approach eliminates the hassle of transporting the pallets yourself, ensuring an easy and stress-free disposal process.

This method is highly efficient as it saves you money, time, and effort. The rental cost typically covers all expenses, allowing you to relax. To get started, research the top dumpster rental companies online and compare prices. Choose the one that fits your needs, and they will help you select the right dumpster size. Place the dumpster in a convenient spot to easily dispose of the pallets without blocking pathways.

Recycle the Pallets

Recycling is a great option for disposing of pallets in an eco-friendly and ethical manner. All three types of pallets, including wooden, metal, and plastic, are recyclable at recycling facilities or scrap yards. You can find local recycling facilities through mobile apps, environmental protection agency resources, online directories, and local council websites.

The National Wood Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) is a renowned site that provides a database of wood recyclers across the US. Enter your location on their site to find the most reliable pallet recycling centers in your area. These facilities recycle pallets and reuse them for other uses.

Wooden pallets can be recycled and used for making furniture, garden compost bins, home decor, landscaping, raw materials, biomass fuel, etc. Plastic pallets can be cut into small pieces and recycled to make new plastic items. Metal pallets can be sold to scrap metal recyclers to make them useful again. Some cities even have specific programs for recycling wood and plastics. Consider checking them to ensure that pallets are disposed of in the right way.

Refurbishing Damaged Pallets

Pallet refurbishment involves repairing discarded or broken pallets for reuse. Many large pallet management companies offer buyback programs where they collect damaged, broken, or sturdy pallets, fix them, and then either redistribute them to the market or convert them into mulch.

Wooden pallets can be easily repaired and reused by replacing broken boards or stringers. Plastic pallets can be cleaned, repaired, or melted down for further use, while metal pallets can also be repaired and repurposed for various needs.

Refurbishing pallets helps reduce the demand for raw materials like wood and plastic, thereby lowering the carbon footprint. By utilizing existing materials, we can minimize landfill waste and promote sustainability and resource efficiency.

Repurposing in Creative Ways

Wood, plastic and metal are all materials that can be used for making creative projects. They can be used for making building furniture, compost bins, garden beds, doghouses, small toys, footrests, clocks, stationary holders, etc. Here’s what you can make with old pallets:

• Furniture Creations: Coffee tables, sofas, chairs, shelves, headboards, bookshelves, side tables, beds, daybeds, shoe racks, and storage units.
• Garden Projects: Garden beds, compost bins, outdoor benches, picnic tables, vertical gardens, decking, fencing, outdoor swings, and walkways.
• Art and Decor: Wall art, decorative boxes, photo frames, clocks, paperweights, mirror frames, decorative panels, birdhouses.
• Home improvement: Wood flooring, event flooring, feature or accent wall, decorative ceiling beams.

Dispose at the Landfill or Incineration

Doing this should be the last option when no other option works due to the quality, material, size or condition of the pallets. Direct disposal at landfill is not an environmentally friendly method, especially in the case of plastic pallets, as they take years to decompose. They release harmful chemicals into the environment and increase carbon footprint. You can hire a dumpster rental service or take it to the landfill yourself.

Landfills charge a huge cost for disposing of pallets, therefore it’s better to connect with a dumpster rental company. They send a dumpster to accommodate your pallets and take them to the landfill, minimizing any hassle for you. You just have to pay the charges, which will include everything from the rent of the dumpster to landfill fees.

Incineration, like landfill disposal, is a harmful method for disposing of plastic pallets that involves burning them at high temperatures. This releases hazardous compounds into the atmosphere, causing environmental degradation. When using this method, it is essential to select an incineration facility with advanced emission control technologies.

What are the 3 Main Types of Pallets?

Pallets are flat structures made of wood, plastic or metal used to safely stack, store, protect and transport various items. There are 3 main types of pallets:

• Wooden Pallets: They are the most common and popular type of pallets made from softwood or hardwood. They are strong, long-lasting, easy to repair, and inexpensive. Wooden pallets can carry heavy loads and are recyclable.
• Plastic Pallets: They are made from high-density polyethylene or recycled plastic and are mainly used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. They are durable, moisture-resistant, lightweight, and hygienic. They also have a long lifespan but are expensive.
• Metal Pallets: They are made from steel or aluminum and are highly durable. Metal pallets can handle heavy loads and rough handling, making them suitable for heavy-duty applications. They are also fire-resistant and have a high lifespan.

Frequently Asked Questions about Pallet Disposal

1. What should I do with rotten pallets? You can refurbish, recycle or send rotten pallets directly to the landfill. They can be used for composting and recycled for further use.
2. Can I burn pallets? There are many ways to dispose of pallets; however, if no other method works, burning is the only solution. However, rotten or chemically treated pallets cannot be burned as they pose a threat to the environment and humans. Moreover, it’s not legally permitted to burn such kinds of pallets.
3. Can I just throw old wood pallets away with my regular trash? Regular trash collectors do not accept pallets, as municipal waste management regulations prohibit this. You need to take them to a recycling facility, either yourself or with the help of dumpster rentals.
4. Are all pallets recyclable? Most wooden pallets are recyclable if they are free of paint, chemicals, and other hazardous materials. Plastic and metal pallets are also recyclable, but recycling facilities may have different requirements for pallets other than wooden.

Why Choose S&A Container Service for Disposal of Pallets?

S&A Container Service is a sustainable and reliable dumpster rental company in Long Island, operating successfully since 1953. Our company has helped thousands of contractors, homeowners, and businesses with various waste disposal projects, including pallets. We have an array of different dumpster sizes, from a small 10-yarder to dumpsters as big as 40-yards. You can tell your requirements and pallets volume to our team, and they will help you choose the appropriate size.

We follow environmentally friendly ways to dispose of pallets by taking them to the recycling facility. Our flexible rental period, transparent pricing and supportive customer service team make us different from others. Simply contact us through our website, email or call, tell us your requirements and get rid of pallets.

Don’t Let Your Old Pallets Take up Valuable Space

Pallets are the basic part of businesses that transport goods and raw materials from other locations. However, after their usage, it’s confusing to decide how to dispose of them and free up the warehouse space. We have discussed some of the best ways to dispose of pallets, including recycling, donation, repurposing, refurbishing, direct disposal, etc.

For transporting pallets to recycling facilities or landfills, renting a dumpster is the best option, as taking them, yourself is a complex task. So, get in touch with a reliable dumpster rental company and streamline the disposal of pallets.