Wood recycling
How to Recycle Wood Pallets
Wooden shipping pallets from freight and logistics. Hierarchy is reuse and repair, then remanufacture, then chip for mulch, bedding, or biomass. EPA's 2018 MSW wood recycling (3.1 million tons, 17.1%) is largely pallet-driven packaging wood.
Check local acceptanceRepairable standard pallets often trade in a low single-digit dollar range each; recyclers may pay or charge depending on market and pickupLast reviewed July 31, 2026
Quick answer
Reuse or repair wooden pallets first, then call a pallet recycler for broken stock that gets remanufactured or chipped. Read the stamp: HT means heat treatment; MB means methyl bromide fumigation (avoid for DIY). Return blue CHEP and red PECO rentals; they are not scrap.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
- Typical value
- Repairable standard pallets often trade in a low single-digit dollar range each; recyclers may pay or charge depending on market and pickup
- Donate / take-back
- Available
How to Prepare
- 1Inspect for HT (heat treated) vs MB (methyl bromide) stamps on international pallets
- 2