Buyer’s Guide for Recycled Wood Pallets

Recycled (or used or refurbished) wood pallets are an eco-friendly, cost-effective alternative to new pallets. They’re used extensively because wood pallets can be easily repaired and cost much less than a pallet built from new lumber.
Why Choose Recycled Wood Pallets?
- Cost savings: 30–50% cheaper than new pallets
- Eco-friendly: Reduces deforestation and landfill waste
- Readily available: Easy to source from Premier’s many locations
- Functional: Still strong enough for many industrial and commercial uses
Types of Recycled Pallets (48 x 40 only)
- Premium (AA or AAA) A Grade Pallets
- Lightly used
- Usually none to only minor repairs
- Closest in quality to new pallets
- Great for retail or fussy end users who frequently complain about pallet appearance
- Work well in automated palletizer machines with tight tolerances
- A-Grade Pallets
- Moderately to lightly used
- No major repairs
- Intact stringers (no double or sister stringer repairs)
- Suitable for most food, consumer goods applications
- One Stringer (B+) B-Grade Pallets
- Only one stringer will have been repaired (double runner/stringer)
- May have multiple repairs or cosmetic flaws
- Ideal for warehousing, storage, or non-aesthetic use
- May not work well with automated machinery
- B-Grade Pallets
- Usually heavily repaired with multiple stringer repairs
- Lowest cost
- Suitable for industrial, one-time use or non-retail environments
Standard Sizes
Region | Common Size (inches) | Uses |
---|---|---|
North America | 48″ x 40″ | Grocery, general warehousing |
48” x 48” | Used for drums (barrels) | |
36” x 36” | Beverage industry (soft drinks) | |
42” x 42” | Chemical, paint, automotive | |
Europe | 1200mm x 800mm (Euro pallet) | Standard size pallet used |
Key Buying Considerations
When purchasing recycled pallets, the grade needed is one of the most important considerations as this will determine the price of the pallet. The higher the grade, the more scarce those pallets are in the available pallet pool and consequently the higher the price. Generally speaking, the higher the pallet grade the cleaner and more closer in resemblance to a new pallet the pallet will appear.
Also, it’s best to confer with a Premier professional if you’re using a racking system to store pallets. Depending on the rack configuration, some pallets may be inappropriate for rack storage.
Finally, your end user (customer) may have pallet expectations and choosing a lower grade pallet may result in chargebacks for substandard pallets, at least in your customer’s view.
Questions to Ask a Supplier
- What grades of pallets do you carry?
- Do you offer heat treated pallets for export use??
- What is the minimum order quantity?
- Do you offer delivery or pickup?
- Can you drop trailers?
- Do you pay for scrap pallets?
Red Flags
Recycled pallets can vary by supplier. Premier prides itself on consistent quality among its pallet grades, which can be found here:
Recycled pallets are only as good as the repair crews that work on them. Not all A grade pallets are the same and can vary greatly from one recycling yard to another. Pallets that are delivered dirty and stacked poorly are often indicators of poor repairs as well.
Premier Pallets has been providing new, recycled and remanufactured wood pallets in the US since 1993. Contact us and ask to speak with one of our professionals about what pallet is best for your business or to get pricing n the pallet you’re currently buying.