Sustainability
How reuse, repair and recycling can keep wood pallets in service, and how to ask about them in Delaware.
Request a Free Quote
Fill out the form below and we will pass your request to a partner supplier, who will follow up.
Reuse, Repair, Recycle
First State Pallet Co. is a referral service, so we don't repair or recycle pallets ourselves. We match Delaware requests with partner suppliers, who can offer those services where available.
The basic idea is simple. Reusing a pallet avoids building a new one, and repairing a pallet keeps usable lumber in service.
Wood that can't be reused can often be ground into mulch or fuel, depending on the recycler. What is possible for your pallets depends on their condition and on the supplier.
What Makes Wood Pallets Reusable
- ReusableA sound pallet can carry many loads
- RepairableDamaged boards can often be replaced
- RecyclableWorn-out wood can often become mulch or fuel
- ResellableUsed pallets in working condition can be sold on
Practical Options
Ways to keep pallets in use. Each is something you can ask a partner supplier about in your request.
Recycling Worn-Out Pallets
Pallets past repair can be taken apart, with usable boards set aside for repairs. Wood that can't be reused can often be ground into mulch or fuel, depending on the recycler.
Repair Before Replacing
A cracked deck board does not have to end a pallet's life. Repairing a pallet keeps usable lumber in service and can put off the need for a replacement.
Reuse First
Reusing a pallet avoids building a new one. If a used pallet can do the job, it is a simple way to keep an existing pallet working.
Buy the Grade You Need
A pallet that only moves goods inside your own building may not need to look new. Matching the grade to the job can leave newer pallets for the loads that need them.
Sell Surplus Pallets
Pallets piling up behind a building in Delaware may still have use left in them. Selling them through a partner supplier can put them back into service.
Heat Treatment
Under ISPM 15, heat-treated pallets are brought to a minimum core temperature of 56 °C for 30 minutes and marked HT. The process uses heat rather than a chemical fumigant.
The Pallet Lifecycle
The typical path of a wood pallet once its first job is done. The details differ from one supplier to the next.
Collection
Used pallets come back from businesses. Partner suppliers can arrange pickup where available.
Sorting
Pallets are sorted by condition to decide which can be reused, repaired or recycled.
Repair
Repairable pallets get new or salvaged boards, which keeps usable lumber in service.
Resale
Pallets in working condition are graded and sold again to a new user.
Recycling
Wood that can't be reused can often be ground into mulch or fuel.
Where Recycled Wood Can Go
These are common uses for wood from worn-out pallets. Which ones apply depends on the recycler and on the condition of the wood.
Mulch
Clean pallet wood can be ground into landscaping mulch, which is sometimes dyed.
Biomass Fuel
Wood chips from pallets can be used as fuel where a nearby facility accepts them.
Animal Bedding
Some recyclers process clean wood into bedding. Others do not, so ask.
Particleboard
Wood fiber can be used in particleboard and other engineered wood products.
What You Can Do
Before you discard pallets, consider these options in order.
Have Pallets to Move On?
Whether you want to sell used pallets, ask about repair, or find a recycling option in Delaware, send a request and we'll pass it to a partner supplier.