Creative Ways to Recycle Pallets For DIY Projects

One of the best ways to reuse wood pallets is to create furniture. You can turn a wooden pallet into whatever you want, whether a coffee table, a giant bed, or a planter. In addition, recycling pallets can help you get rid of things you don’t need anymore.

Recycling wood pallets is a cost-effective way to eliminate items you don’t need any longer

If you have wood pallets, you don’t need them anymore, and you can make money by recycling them. These pallets are valuable commodities and can be sold to recycling companies. Businesses receive deliveries on pallets every day, and recycling them can be a profitable business.

Wood pallets contain a lot of wood, and you can turn them into firewood. Most people pay a premium for firewood, and recycled wooden pallets are just as good as that expensive material. Breaking apart a pallet for firewood is a straightforward process that won’t take much time. You can sell the pallet wood individually or as large bundles.

You can also sell the wood pallets to local businesses if you don’t need them. Many businesses have no space to store unused pallets, so they’ll be happy to take them off your hands. However, if you cannot sell them in your area, you may have to look elsewhere for a market for your wood pallets. Some companies sell and make pallets that you are able to purchase as well. 

Recycling wood pallets is a great way to go if you’re tired of looking for ways to get rid of items you don’t use. Wood pallets are made from wood, a renewable resource, and highly biodegradable material. Most recycling centers won’t take wood pallets, but some companies specialize in recycling wood pallets. You can contact one of these companies online and schedule a pickup.

Make a table out of a pallet

Making a coffee table is one of the many projects you can complete with recycled pallets. A pallet can be a great source of wood, and you can reuse its slats to build a tabletop. Then, use nails to hammer the slats into place. You can use sandpaper to clean the wooden slats before nailing them. When it’s finished, you can decorate it with plants and flora.

This coffee table can give your living room a modern look. Its box-style legs can be painted or stained to match your decor, and the wood slats can be used as the tabletop. You can customize the table’s look by cutting the glass top to fit your decor.

Pallets can also be used to build a picnic table. You can paint them to match your patio furniture or leave them natural for a rustic look. They also make excellent wine racks. You can also use pallets to make stairs, tables, and storage units.

Another way to reuse a pallet is to build a coffee table. You can stack several pallets to make one large table. You can then use the top for storage. You can also add caster wheels or custom legs. Once the table is finished, you can paint it to match the rest of the room’s decor. You can also stain the wood to change the wood tone and add a sealant for weather protection.

Make a giant bed out of a pallet

If you’ve been looking for a creative way to use recycled pallets, consider building a giant bed with a pallet. A bed made of recycled wood can be rustic or contemporary, depending on your preferences. To make this bed, stack several pallet skids flat and raise them to the desired height. This way, you can place a bed mattress on top of them.

If you’re really into recycling, consider building a pallet bed with multiple layers. You can build the headboard and footboard from two pallets and add lights under the bed. Another great way to use pallets is to make a platform bed. This bed requires more skill, but it looks fantastic.

You can even use EPAL pallets for the headboard. A pallet bed can easily accommodate a foam mattress. To make the bed even more sturdy, you can stack two or more pallets side by side. This way, you’ll be able to build a bed that’s as tall as your mattress! You can even add LED lights under the bed for additional illumination.

If you’re looking for a unique bed to fit your room, you’ve come to the right place. A giant bed made from pallets is not only a great way to recycle pallets but also a great way to reuse them. You can also use them for outdoor day beds. You can even place wall-mounted shelves in them.

Make a planter out of a pallet

You can make a planter out of a pallet using the wood of an old pallet. Start by cleaning the pallet thoroughly. Next, you can cover the back, sides, and corners with weed barrier fabric. Fold over any extra material so it is not visible.

A wooden delivery pallet makes an excellent planter. It takes up very little space on the ground and is aesthetically pleasing. You can find these pallets in many different shapes, sizes, and conditions. Look for them at building sites or skips. Depending on the size of your pallet, you can plant various plants.

Make sure to choose a pallet that is not painted or used before. This will ensure that the planter doesn’t contain toxic chemicals. In addition, don’t choose a pallet that was used for transporting food or other items. For example, a bakery or gas station pallet could have held flour or antifreeze.

To make a planter out of a pallet, you must cut the wood from the pallet. If you do not have enough wood for your project, you can cut a few boards from one pallet. Make sure you measure the width of each piece. Then, drill pilot holes and screw the pieces together.

Make a bike rack out of a pallet

If you’re looking for a creative way to recycle pallets, try making a bike rack. You can start by salvaging some planks from another pallet. Then nail them to each other flush on the sides. Once secured, you can attach the bike frame and wheel brackets.

Wooden Pallets: An Eco-Friendly Alternative To Plastic

Wooden Pallets: An Eco-Friendly Alternative To Plastic

At any given time, there are an estimated 4 billion pallets circulating in the United States. With these numbers in mind, the environmental impact is significant. But there is a long-standing debate over whether plastic or wood pallets are more eco-friendly.

To get to the bottom of this mystery, Penn State researchers conducted an in-depth study of comparisons between the two materials. As a result, they have determined that wood pallets are more sustainable and eco-friendly than pallets made from plastic.

The Study

The Penn State study involved a “life-cycle assessment” for both plastic and wood pallets. Some of the factors taken into consideration were the environmental impact of resources consumed and released emissions. To further gauge environmental impact, Penn State researchers considered the following factors: aquatic ecotoxicity, non-renewable energy, global warming, and influence on ozone layer depletion.

Their findings were published in the Journal Of Industrial Technology and established that wooden pallets create a slightly lower carbon footprint than plastic pallets. One important consideration is how wooden pallets are treated. For example, heat-treated wooden pallets have a carbon footprint 20-30% smaller than those treated with methyl bromide fumigation.

Although plastic pallets tend to have a longer life cycle than wooden pallets, the sources they are derived from make their carbon imprint significant. Although the wooden and plastic pallet industries have conducted their own sustainability studies in the past, the Penn State study was intended to provide an unbiased alternative.

The Big Picture

As the globe moves toward more environmentally sustainable practices and considers carbon footprints, studies like the one by Penn State are necessary and beneficial. With millions of pallets circulating at any given time, understanding the environmental impacts of these items is important.

Although the superior sustainability of wooden pallets is labeled as “slight” by the Penn State study, experts remind us that taking small, deliberate steps in the right direction is far more effective than doing nothing at all. 

Wooden pallets are used in a wide variety of ways and are in integral aspect of the transportation of necessary goods in the supply chain. Pallet reuse is common, and durable, high-quality wooden pallets can effectively last a long time. 

Wood: An Eco-Friendly Choice

It’s no secret that wood is one of the most eco-friendly materials on the planet. Wood can be recycled into any number of things and grows naturally. Even if a wooden pallet has reached the end of the line in terms of shipping, it can be repurposed in any number of useful ways. 

It’s also quite simple to refurbish a worn-out wooden pallet. This makes wooden pallets a cost-effective choice with a lot of potential for longevity and sustainability. When synthetic material is rejected in favor of wood, carbon emissions are impacted in a positive way. 

Wood is not only less expensive and more durable than plastic, its carbon footprint makes it the clear eco-friendly option. By reducing costs and carbon emissions, wooden pallets help impact an organization’s carbon footprint, and the environment, in a positive way.

20 Creative Ways To Use Pallets

20 Creative Ways To Use Pallets

Often times pallets are thrown out, but these pallets are not all rendered useless. There are many ways you can transform a pallet into something worthwhile.

It can also be a fun DIY project. Possibilities are endless, that is what makes pallets so versatile.

You can also get pallets for free!

Below are 20 neat ideas to help you get started on your project.

1. Standing Garden

The small slots these pallets provide are perfect for making a beautiful standing garden.

2. Coffee Table

Pallets can make a beautiful, chic coffee table. You can add wheels for easier to move and a glass mirror to make your coffee table look nice and modern. You could also use the shelving as storage for magazines and books.  

3. Pallet Couches

Transform a pallet into cheap couches. Just add in the pillows and your couch is ready to go. A stylish and functional way to make a cheap couch.

4. Bookshelf or Toy Bin

Pallets can be great for a neat DIY bookshelf or toy bin. It can hold books, toys, and other knick-knacks, as well as picture frames.

5. Shoe Organizer

Pallets make great shoe organizers since they fit perfectly inside the pallet. It is also a cheap way to organize your shoes.

6. Swing

Using either a rope or chain could transform a pallet into a nice and cozy place to relax on the porch or patio.

7. Wine Bar or Wine Rack

For those wine lovers, a pallet could be used as a wine bar. You could go for a simple bar or go all out and build an entire bar on your patio. Not enough storage, a wine rack will surely do the trick and it will look cute and stylish in your kitchen.

8. Pallet Lights

Pallets could be turned into cute lanterns. If you’re going for a rustic look, you could use these lanterns outdoors in your patio or indoors.  

9. Pallet Pathway

You could completely take a pallet apart and use the pieces to make a pathway in your garden. This adds a lot of texture and makes your garden look beautiful. It is also a cheap way to make a pathway.

10. Wall Art or Wall Sign

Paint over your pallet and use as a decorative focal point for your wall. You can also write a sign as another fun way to decorate your home. As a plus, you can personalize the sign to say exactly what you want it to say.  

11. Wooden Pallet Hanging Decor

Spice up your home or outdoor living space with wooden pallet wall decor. You can also add plants to add an extra flair to your decor.

12. Flower Box

You can transform a pallet into a flower box for your dining table or for your patio. Create a rectangle and store your plants inside the pallet.  

13. Ottoman

Transform a pallet into an ottoman by adding the padding, decorative legs, and fabric and you’ve got yourself a neat looking ottoman.

14. Desktop

Add a piece of a pallet on top of a table top and you’ve got yourself a cute desk to store your things.

15. Stools

Add some cool exciting stools to your patio by stacking a few pallets and adding some faux leather fabric to them.

16. Pot Rack

If you want a rustic look, use a pallet as a pot rack. Just add a chain to the sides and some hooks to store your pots in. It is very stylish and functional.

17. Plate Storage

You could transform a pallet into a rustic way of storing your dishes. It will look beautiful and stylish in your home.

18. Bench

Pallets are also great for outdoor seating or entryway. Just add in some stylish legs and pillows and you’re good to go.

19. Pallet Headboard and Bed

Make a headboard out of a used pallet. You could leave it the way it is for a chic rustic look or you can paint in any way you want. Using pallets to build a bed is a great way to transition your child to sleeping into a bed because they are lower than traditional bed frames. You could even add some lights underneath the bed to add a warm glow and focal point to the room.

20. Wooden Pallet Dog or Cat Bed

Some dog or cat beds can be pretty pricey, why not make your own. Your pet will surely love it! You can also customize their bed by adding their name to it or decorating however else you want. All they need is a pillow and some sheets to their new bed.

How to Dismantle Wooden Pallets

How To Dismantle a Pallet

If you just got ahold of free or cheap pallets and you have no idea how to dismantle it, this article will help you get started. This article was put together by the wonderful staff at Pasadena Skid and Pallet, a Houston pallets manufacturer.

You want to prevent splitting and breaking of your pallets. Dismantling a wooden pallet takes patience and effort, it’s not as simple is it looks.

I will show you five simple methods to dismantle a pallet.

The Brick Chisel & Hammer

To start, you will need to remove the nails using the hammer and the brick chisel.

Put the brick chisel between the planks and rafters, or the dice of the blocks, then hit it with the hammer.

Remember, do not hit too hard since this could cause the wood planks to break. Instead, hit gently and repeat this several times until the nail breaks.

The Claw Bar

Use this method to remove the dice on the pallets.

With the hammer, tap on the dices to slightly loosen them up.

In order to avoid damaging the pallet, use a tapping block between the dice and the hammer.

Place the hammer between the cross and the dice, and then hit.

Repeat this using the claw bar.

The Sawzall or Reciprocating Saw

This method is one of the fastest if you have a ton of pallets to dismantle.

To make this process easier, you can use a plank to set your pallets in between so that it stays in place or you can place your pallets on top of a wooden table. Clamp your pallet in place so that it doesn’t move around.

Grab your sawzall or reciprocating saw and slice through the nails on each end of the pallet. Start at the edges and then work your way towards the middle.

The Pallet Buster

This tool is very effective and efficient. It is a two way tool designed to use in 4 way pallets or 2 way pallets.

Grab your pallet buster or pallet dismantling bar and place between the deck boards.

Using the handle, push the pallet buster down towards you, the pallets should come apart easily.

The Two Technique: Using The Chisel & Reciprocating Saw

Place the chisel in between the deck board, then grab the hammer and hit softly to loosen up the gabs. This will make the reciprocating saw easier to cut in between the deck boards.

Grab your reciprocating saw and slice through the nails. You can also use a crowbar or pry bar.

Place the crowbar or pry bar between the stretcher to pry between the pallets using the hammer.

Solving Refugee Housing Problems by Upcycling Wooden Pallets

Solving Refugee Housing Problems by Upcycling Wooden Pallets

The people at i-Beam Design were inspired to start the Pallet House Project when they learned that collectively, we could house 84% of the refugees currently displaced by war and natural disaster using just one year’s worth of recycled American shipping pallets. A year and a half of American pallet production creates enough upcycleable material to build housing for 33 million refugees, the entire refugee population on Earth.

Every year, however, almost 21,000,000 pallets wind up in dumps and landfills instead of being put to good re-use. 21 million wood pallets contain enough raw building material to house over forty-thousand refugees. The best notion about the concept of using wooden pallets is their shipping cost is practically zero, since they’re already being used to ship and deliver goods like medical supplies, food, and water already to the regions where they’re needed most.

The Pallet House is a simple structure constructed primarily of recovered wood from shipping pallets. I-BEAM offers construction plans and details for sale to download for $75. This elegantly simple design has been featured in HRH Prince Charles’ Royal Gardens as part of a sustainable design exhibition

It takes just 100 upcycled pallets being configured and assembled by a team of 4 or 5 folks to construct a 250 square foot “Pallet House” and the work can be done in less than a week. Wooden shipping pallets provide readily available and easily sustainable building modules that are inexpensive and highly versatile. A family can utilize corrugated roofing or simply stretch out some tarps to keep water out, until eventually local materials become available enough to produce something more durable and long-lasting.

Refugees spend an average of 7 years in their refugee camps after being displaced by some unfortunate event. The Pallet House can be adapted to work in almost any climate on the planet, and can provide long-term solutions for people in need of basic shelter.

In 1999, the Pallet House design won an award from Architecture for Humanity. Since then, it has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and papers in Italy and Spain as well. It was also featured in the book “Design Like You Give A Damn” which is a book produced by Architecture for Humanity.

I-Beam Design has also built Pallet structures in Indiana and New York, as well as at the Architecture Triennial in Milan. Currently, they are developing housing for victims of the recent earthquakes in both Haiti and Pakistan.

Common DIY projects and where to find free pallets

Common DIY projects and where to find free pallets

Are you a creative person? Do you like to make your own art and furniture yourself? If so there is a great source material that you can acquire for free! I am of course talking about wooden pallets! In this article, I will share some common DIY pallet projects along with some common places to obtain free pallets so you can easily start your own DIY project.

The solid structure and design of wooden pallets make them perfect for several different kinds of household furniture. You can take 2-4 pallets, stack them on top of each other, nail them together, throw a smooth flat wood or glass piece on top and you got yourself a table. If you are in need of something to sit on, you can make a couch by putting pallets end to end in the shape of the space that you desire along with pallets for the backrest. Once again, make sure to secure the pallets together and add some cushions for comfort.

If you happen to be an artist, a wooden pallet can be a great canvas! The solid square layout makes it the perfect size for hanging on a wall or perhaps placing it on your lawn. You can choose to leave the gaps between the planks or you can find a flat wood piece to lie over top.  Either way, a properly painted wooden pallet can look fantastic and make your home come alive.

These are just some general creative uses for wooden pallets, but in order to start you need to find your own pallets, which is can be easy and free! You should easily be able to find available wooden pallets from your local stores. Your best bet is to check out and ask pet stores, supermarkets, and furniture or equipment stores. These types of stores tend to get their products shipped in on wooden pallets and tend to throw them away after shipments. Businesses will tend to give these pallets away for free if asked for because they usually have to pay in order to have them removed. The best time to ask about obtaining these pallets is early in the morning because that is when most companies receive their deliveries. Remember to be kind and considerate when asking about the wooden pallets. You can’t just assume that every company would be willing to give you the wooden pallets for free.

If you are somehow having a hard time finding wooden pallets you can always look online. A popular site to look for obscure items such as wooden pallets would be craigslist.com or ask around on blogs where wooden pallets are mentioned, such as this one. So get out there, find some pallets, and start creating!

How to Beat the Heat this Summer 2016

How to Beat the Heat this Summer 2016

Each summer thousands attempt to find new ways to beat the summer heat. A University of Leeds student, 21 year-old Tom Almond, found a relatively easy and inexpensive way to do so. He decided to build his own pool. After seeing that a Spanish man had built something similar on Facebook, Tom endeavored to do the same.

So you decide to build your own pool, how do you go about doing this on a student budget? Mr. Almond, with a modest budget of $30, purchased wooden pallets, metal brackets and tarpaulin and with three weeks of hard work he completed his DIY pool.

So what do you do when you build your own pool and you’re a college student? Of course you invite all of your closest friends. Mr. Almond hosted a party and invited over 40 people. The pool can hold up to six adults. However, before the party became an epic party, the sun gave way to bad weather and so the party goers filled the pool with hot water, problem solved. Not only was the party a success, but they even had a singer perform for the crowd.

So what do you do with a DIY pool after hosting a huge party? Mr. Almond decided after the party he would sell his wood pallet pool. His asking price, a mere $30. Of course you will need to come pick it up yourself, un-assembled. Mr. Almond is offering to provide a step-by-step guide of how to rebuild it, free of charge of course.

So the next time you decide to beat the heat, remember the DIY approach. Some wooden pallets, metal brackets, tarpaulin, 40 of your closest friends, a few beers and you have yourself a DIY pool party. Just make sure and plan it when the weather is good!

Best of luck!

-Pasadena Skid & Pallets Team