Where To FIND Used Pallets For Your Next DIY Project

Ah yes! Pallets! From really cool Etsy items to your crafty neighbor’s latest DIY project, pallets are affordably versatile source materials for a number of really cool do-it-yourself projects.

But what are pallets, exactly? And where can I get them?

Pallets are primarily used for shipping all kinds of material. While you can order them online, if you’re really looking for a bargain all you need is a little resourcefulness and you’ll find them at a cheaper price or in some cases, even for free!

But while you might be tempted to scavenge for pallets from commercial dumpsters or lumber yards, they may be unsafe and unsanitary to bring home. To be sure you’re getting good quality and clean pallets, consider the following:

• Not all pallets are equally in quality

  Since pallets are used for shipping heavy materials of all shapes and sizes, if you’re buying from a bulk, chances are some have sustained some form of damage such as splinters or nails, and in some cases traces of food and fungus. Be sure to inspect the lot of pallets in general. If it looks like most of them are damaged, you might wanna pass and look for another seller.
  
  

• Check for International Plant Protection Convention logo
  

  This logo certifies that your pallet has been heat-treated or fumigated to prevent the spread of insects or plant diseases. Unstamped pallets may contain or have been treated with harmful chemicals and may be dangerous to bring home. Be wary about the markings — those marked with “HT” have been treated with heat and those marked with “DB’ have been debarked. These kinds are generally good to use. 

  If you see pallets marked with “MB” this means they have been treated with a highly toxic chemical pesticide known as methyl bromide. You may want to skip out on these for your safety and those around you.

  The IPPC logo should also tell you where the pallets were made from in case you want to take that piece of information into consideration.

So where exactly are the best places to get pallets from? Follow these tips to find the cleanest and most affordable pallets in town:

1. Recently opened storefronts

Bulk product shipments more often than not are shipped in pallets and crates. Chances are you’re helping these stores get rid of their “trash” by asking for their old pallets. Remember to ask first before taking anything!

2. Nurseries, furniture or equipment stores

Stores that sell bigger items would most likely have a regular supply of shipping pallets. Don’t hesitate to ask these types of stores for pallets that will be discarded anyway.

3. Craigslist

If your search for free discarded pallets from stores yield nothing, don’t despair! You can always hit up the good ‘ol Craigslist. Some individuals will just be giving them away for free while some others may charge a couple of bucks here and there.

Just remember to keep your transaction safe by bringing a friend or two along and if possible, ask to meet at a neutral location if the seller is willing to transport the pallets.

Hope this post helped ya! Happy pallet hunting & sending you some good DIY vibes for your next creative project. Check back with us soon for more crafty DIY and home improvement tips!