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Wednesday, June 15, 2016

12 Creative Ways to Recycle and Reuse Wood Pallets

Learn what pallets are safe and how to dismantlel and recycle them into amazing projects for your home.



Wood pallets are the best FREE product that is most popular for creating DIY projects.  Pallets are not only free but versatile and perfect for repurposing.  Whether you use them in their original form or dismantle them into planks.  Pallets are the ultimate free wood for creating unique projects for your home. 


DIY pallet projects

Before I dive into the pallet projects, I wanted to share a few sources for finding free pallets, how to determine which pallets are safe and how to dismantel them without breaking boards. 

-WHERE TO FIND FREE PALLETS-

1. Online - A quick search on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist will more than likely result in a list of local businesses giving away pallets for free.

2. Outside local businesses- You may find pallets in the back of local businesses or around construction sites that are no longer needed.  Be sure to ask the owner of the business or site manager of the construction site before assuming they are free.  Some companies may store them for later use, so it's always better to ask before taking.  

3. Ask local businesses - If you don't have any luck finding pallets outside businesses, it may be worth going inside and asking if they ever have pallets that they are willing to give away. 

4. Ask Friends - More than likely you probably know someone who is a contractor or who works for a business that often comes across pallets.  

-HOW TO DISMANTLE PALLETS-

Knowing how to dismantle pallets without breaking boards is also helpful, especially if you want to make planter boxes, signs or other projects that don't involve the entire pallet.  


-HOW TO MAKE SURE PALLETS ARE SAFE TO USE-
Pallets are used to transport thousands of products, with some of them being harmful chemicals and liquids.  It's important to make sure the pallets that you use are safe for your home.  

pallet stamp and meaning

1.  Check for a stamp -  No stamp means the pallet is a national pallet or used for domestic transport.  Most of these pallets are not used to transport chemicals or other harmful substances.  

2. What to look for in a stamp - If you don't see an IPPC logo ( International Plant Protection Convention) then be sure to use the pallet with caution.  IPPC means the pallet was made of material that will not carry harmful insect species or plant diseases.   These pallets are required to be made of wood and treated with an approved treatment method. 

3.  Treatment codes - (HT) Heat Treatment, (MB) Methyl Bromide, (DB) Debarked, (KD) Kilm Dried

4. Avoid pallets treated with Methyl Bromide - These pallets are treated with a pesticide that poses health risks. 

You can find a full list of safety guidelines and helpful information HERE

-PALLET PROJECTS-

Turn old pallets into perfect rustic planter boxes.


Get comfy and relax on a cool pallet swing.

Build a cool island for your kitchen.
DIY wood pallet kitchen bar


Get your kitchen organized with a rustic pallet spice rack.
 Rustic wood pallet spice rack
Make it & Love it


Make gardening more fun with a cool pallet potting station.
 DIY wood pallet potting station
Living 4 Media


Make a statement in your living room with a rolling pallet coffee table.
 DIY rolling pallet coffee table
Plaza Interiors


Top a simple desk with a pallet for a unique twist.
 DIY pallet desk
Thistlewood Farms


Make an outdoor pallet bench for an affordable seating option.
 DIY outdoor pallet sofa
Funky Junk Interiors


Turn pallets into reclaimed wood frames. 
 DIY pallet frames
Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body


How cool are these DIY pallet letters?
 DIY wood pallet letters
Thistlewood Farms


Create a unique and inexpensive accent wall with pallet boards.
 DIY pallet accent wall
Shades of Blue Interiors via Hunker


Turn pallets into a cool and unique pallet bed.
 DIY pallet bed
Home Again Creative

Aren't these some pretty amazing pallet projects?   


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