There are many fine videos of people making quality items from pallets and that is possible. Given the current price of wood, finding any free resource makes sense personally and for the planet by keeping things out of the land fill. There are nearly 2 billion wooden pallets are currently in circulation in the US alone, with a majority of them replaced each year. This consumes an estimated 50 percent of the country’s annual hardwood harvest.¹ 

Best Locations for Free Pallets

Any business that has inventory will most likely use pallets. When you ask yourself (or the internet) where to find pallets, look first to some local businesses like these:

• Hardware stores
• Construction sites and builders
• Small garden shops
• Furniture stores
• Equipment stores
• Newspaper companies
• Pet stores
• Grocery stores
• Craigslist

There are many kinds of pallets and the come in all sizes shapes and condition. If you can pick through what you are offered if allowed. Always restack what you don’t want.

However, if you turn to grocery stores as your source, inspect the pallets closely for spills or stains. Some stains can turn to mold in due time. Rarer but not unknown will be for pallets to be chemically treated. Even when it is free “Buyer Beware!” is still good advice. Some studies have shown a high percentage of used pallets contain E. coli bacteria. These can still be used but you need to handle and treat them properly.

You should be aware of the markings on pallets, this can give you clues to their suitability. Something that might be suitable for a fence, might not make a good dog house or for furniture in the home. Click here to get a more definitive list.

It is worth while contacting small business regarding what they do with their old pallets. You might volunteer to haul them away. Just because you see a nice stack of pallets behind a store don’t assume they are free. Twenty plus years ago I was told that Costco gave away their pallets. When I was shopping, I took one from a pile. Wrong, they recycle them. Wisdom: Ask first, they might say yes.

Once you have found a source, remember safety is important. Whenever picking up or working with pallets, always use heavy-duty gloves. If you plan to cut or sand a pallet, use a mask and eye protection.

How to Disassemble

¹Correct in 2012.

The answer is: very carefully. User your favorite search engine with this “wood pallet disassembly”. Watch as many videos as you can stand. Obvious you need space, tools and time. Many people like to get a truck load, disassemble them all and stack the wood for later use. I tend to pick up a pallet as the opportunities arise store them beside a garage full of stuff I don’t need until I find a use for it. Sometimes as a shipping pallet. Disassembly will often require that some of the wood be sacrificed. These bits end up in my firewood scrap box. Be sure to look for nails, staples and other trash when done. The quality of wood can vary considerably. Pallets coming from overseas sometimes contains exotic woods.

Creations

There seems to be no limit to what people have made with pallets. My creations have been limited to simple storage boxes.

Click here to look as some of the Google images of pallet creations.