When purchasing wood pallets, the first step is to decide between new and recycled options. New pallets offer benefits like consistent quality, a clean, fresh appearance, and customization options tailored to specific needs, such as automation compatibility, heavy loads, or optimized freight configurations.
Recycled pallets, on the other hand, are more budget-friendly and generally readily available, especially in standard sizes like 48×40”. Though sorted by grade, recycled pallets tend to show more variability in condition, specifications, and appearance than new ones. Despite these differences, recycled pallets are a great fit for many applications.
Tips for Recycled Pallet Purchasers
Purchasing recycled pallets can be complicated, however. Here are some tips that can help you master the nuances of recycled pallets.
1. Understand Grading Standards
Familiarize yourself with grading terms like “A” and “B” or “#1” and “#2” pallets, and seek clarification as these terms may vary among suppliers. (Follow this link to find out more about pallet grades.) Generally, A-grade pallets are of higher quality, with fewer repairs, and are suitable for more demanding applications. In contrast, B-grade pallets may have more repairs and are better for less critical uses. But don’t make assumptions – ask!
2. Request Detailed Specifications, Seek Clarification
Following up on the last point, different pallet suppliers may have slightly different pallet grade interpretations. Request detailed specifications outlining the number of boards and deck board spacing, deckboard height variability, allowable repairs, and damage tolerance. Some suppliers, like PalletOne, offer easy-to-follow spec sheets for each grade, which helps ensure consistent performance and quality.
3. Validate the Vendor’s Quality Control System
Ensure your prospective vendor has a robust quality control process, and here’s why. Pallet recycling is still a highly manual process, often requiring front-line pallet repair workers to decide what to repair and how to do it. Given the variability of pallet quality in the used pallet pool, it is a complicated task. Plus, when you also consider the high degree of employee turnover challenges that many pallet recycling companies face, the issue of inconsistent quality must be managed. The bottom line is to partner with a provider like PalletOne with a robust quality control system.
4. If You Need HT Pallets, Buy from an HT Certified Pallet Supplier
If you need HT (heat-treated) pallets for export, sourcing them from a certified supplier is essential. Some pallet buyers make the mistake of thinking that they will be bulletproof if they buy pallets with HT stamps. Unfortunately, even if a pallet has an HT stamp, buying from uncertified sources risks exposure to counterfeit stamps or repairs not meeting ISPM 15 requirements. This risk has resulted in customs delays and fines. Certified suppliers adhere to the ISPM 15 standard and are regularly inspected, ensuring the heat treatment process meets international requirements.
5. Understand that Recycled Pallet Prices Don’t Follow the Price of Lumber
One thing that pallet buyers sometimes find counterintuitive is the relationship between recycled pallet prices and the cost of lumber. For new pallets, lumber is the largest cost factor, and there is a definite relationship. So why doesn’t the cost of recycled pallets decrease when lumber prices decrease? The answer is this: while recycled pallets are also made of wood, their price is primarily based on inputs such as the pallet recycler’s cost of pallet core acquisition and labor, which are not sensitive to lumber cost.
6. Work with a Trusted Supplier
Building a relationship with a reputable supplier can help. Trusted suppliers are more likely to offer transparent grading and detailed specs and have a solid quality assurance program, which helps protect your investment and ensure safe, efficient operations. An expert supplier can help you navigate the complexities of recycled pallet grading and ISPM 15 requirements.
Working with an experienced national pallet supplier such as PalletOne can help ensure your supply chain gets the maximum value from your spend on recycled pallets. Contact our national sales team to find out more.
