Are Pallets Recyclable?

Hundreds of millions of pallets are used around the world each year to transport and store goods. With so many being used so frequently, pallets are often well used and need disposing of. It is important that businesses across all industries which use pallets understand how to responsibly manage pallets and why they should be recycled.

At SL Recycling we help businesses in South Wales to manage their waste and increase recycling, including pallets, with the ultimate goal of becoming zero-waste-to-landfill. Here is our guide to pallet recycling, covering what pallets can be recycled, how pallets are recycled, and the benefits this brings.

Yes!

The most commonly used pallets are wooden, which is an extremely recyclable material. As wood is a robust material, pallets lend themselves well to reuse as well as recycling, with quality wood often retrieved from waste pallets.

Once deemed at the end-of-life, pallets can be recycled instead of disposed at landfill. With the help of waste management providers such as SL Recycling, businesses can manage their waste simply and at low costs.

See more: Types & Methods of Waste Management

Some pallets may be made of wood that has been treated to protect against biohazards or pests. These pallets are usually older and should be checked before recycled as they aren’t always accepted. We accept many grades of wood, including grade D (‘hazardous’), which we transport to special facilities for our customers.

Find out more about our wood recycling services >

Pallets come in three different materials; wood, moulded wooden pallets, and plastic.

Wooden pallets are the most common, made from planks of wood secured around a main frame. Moulded wooden pallets are made from recycled wood that is pressed into a mould, resulting in the pallet structure. Both of these pallets are highly recyclable.

Are Plastic Pallets Recyclable?

Plastic pallets, often made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), are recyclable. Although the recycling of plastic pallets is slightly more complex and involves processing them with other plastic materials, these pallets are able to be recycled.

When compared to wooden pallets, plastic pallets do tend to last longer and be more durable, however the recycling process is less simple.

Wood pallet recycling as a phrase refers to the whole process of sorting, refurbishing, dismantling, and remanufacturing new pallets, as well as creating other wooden products. Prior to actual recycling, businesses should explore other options such as reusing to make furniture etc..

Here is an example process for pallet recycling at our Materials Recovery Facilities:

1. Pallets are collected by our waste collection vehicles, likely in a hired skip.
2. Pallets are separated from other waste, for example from aggregates if from construction waste.
3. Pallets are sorted. They are separated according to ones that can be sold without repair, repairable pallets, pallets to dismantle, and unwanted pallets and parts – the first two groups ideally separated prior to collection.
4. Pallets are graded. Depending on the grade of the wood, different products may be made from the recycled wood.
5. Pallets are dismantled. Planks are separated and nails are removed. At this stage it is important not to damage the wood as planks can be reused or new pallets constructed.
6. Wood is recycled. Recycled wood is used to make a range of products such as horse bedding (grade A), play area surfaces, panel board (grade B), and biomass fuel (grade C).