Get rid of pallets
Who picks up pallets for free?
Updated
Short answer: Pallet recyclers and pallet companies will often collect pallets for free when they are standard 48x40s in good condition, there are enough of them to be worth a trip, and nothing else is mixed in. They can repair and resell those pallets, so the pickup pays for itself. Broken pallets, odd sizes and small piles usually cost money to remove.
Why anyone would take pallets for free
A used pallet is a product, not just scrap. Warehouses, manufacturers and distributors buy recycled pallets because they cost less than new ones. A recycler collects used pallets, sorts them, fixes the ones with a cracked board, and sells them back into the supply chain. If your pile is mostly sellable stock, the recycler gets inventory and you get rid of the pile. Nobody needs to pay anybody.
The catch is the truck. A pickup costs fuel, a driver's time and a slot in the day. Free collection only works when the pallets in the pile are worth more than the trip.
What makes a pile free, and what makes it cost money
| Factor | Points toward free | Points toward a fee |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Standard 48x40 (the common grocery-style pallet) | Odd or custom sizes, which few buyers reuse |
| Condition | Intact boards and blocks, usable as is | Cracked, missing or rotten boards |
| Count | Enough to fill a good part of a truck | A handful of pallets |
| Debris | Pallets only | Mixed with trash, wrap, drywall or metal |
| Access | Ground level, near where a truck can park | Upstairs, in a basement, or far from the street |
The free-or-fee triage asks those four questions and shows the reasoning for each answer.
Who to ask
- Local pallet recyclers and pallet companies. The most likely free option for a business with a steady supply of good 48x40s. Many run their own trucks and have a minimum count for a free pickup.
- A pickup request here. Book a pickup with the count and condition, and Repackify will look for a partner who takes that kind of load, free or paid.
- Neighbors and online groups. Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Nextdoor and Freecycle work well for a few pallets: people use them for firewood racks, compost bins and garden projects. It is free but slow, and no-shows are common.
- Community gardens and makers. Some take a small number of good pallets for projects. Call first; many have more than they need.
Giving pallets away safely
- Put the pallets outside, where the person collecting them doesn't need to enter your building or yard.
- Check the stamp. Pallets marked MB were fumigated with methyl bromide, and shouldn't go to anyone planning to burn them or build garden beds. HT means heat-treated.
- Don't give away pooled pallets (blue CHEP, red PECO, or any pallet stamped as someone's property). They aren't yours to give. See pooled pallets you shouldn't throw away.
- Pull or flag protruding nails on broken boards before anyone handles them.
When free isn't realistic
If the pile is small, mostly broken, an unusual size, or mixed with other junk, expect to pay. That is still usually cheaper than a dumpster full of air, and broken pallets can still go to a recycler that grinds them instead of to landfill. How pricing works explains what moves the price.