Pallet Recycling
We collect, sort, and process used wood pallets — diverting thousands of tons from landfills and turning waste into a valuable resource.
Request a Quote
Fill out the form and our team will get back to you within 24 hours with a customized quote.
How Pallet Recycling Works
Our streamlined recycling process transforms discarded pallets into reusable assets. Every step is designed for maximum recovery and minimum waste.
Collection
We pick up used pallets directly from your facility. Whether you have 50 or 5,000, we handle the logistics.
Sorting & Grading
Every pallet is inspected and sorted by size, condition, and grade. We categorize them as reusable, repairable, or for material recovery.
Repair
Repairable pallets are restored — broken boards replaced, nails resecured, stringers reinforced to meet or exceed original specs.
Material Recovery
Pallets beyond repair are dismantled. Usable lumber is recovered for repair stock, and the rest is chipped for mulch, animal bedding, or biofuel.
Redistribution
Recycled pallets are inventoried and made available for sale. They go right back into the supply chain — completing the cycle.
What Happens to
Your Old Pallets?
Nothing goes to waste. Our facility processes every pallet we receive through a multi-tier recovery system. Here is how the average load breaks down:
Environmental Impact
CO₂ saved per recycled pallet
Compared to manufacturing a new pallet from virgin lumber
Lumber recovered per pallet
That is enough wood to build a small bookshelf
Saved for every 14 pallets recycled
Our monthly volume saves the equivalent of 700+ trees
Sent to landfill
We maintain a true zero-waste operation for all pallet materials
Pallet Types We Recycle
We accept virtually all standard wood pallet types and sizes. If you are unsure whether we can take your pallets, just ask — the answer is almost always yes.
Stringer Pallets
The most common pallet type in North America. We accept 2-way and partial 4-way entry stringer pallets in all conditions.
Block Pallets
4-way entry pallets using blocks instead of stringers. Common in European trade and heavier-duty applications.
Heat-Treated (HT) Pallets
ISPM-15 heat-treated pallets for international shipping. We properly track and reprocess HT-stamped pallets.
Hardwood Pallets
Oak, maple, and mixed hardwood pallets. These premium pallets have longer lifespans and higher recycle value.
Softwood Pallets
Pine, spruce, and other softwood pallets. Lighter and more affordable, these are the workhorses of domestic shipping.
Odd & Oversized Pallets
Non-standard dimensions, custom builds, and specialty pallets. We recycle odd sizes that other companies turn away.
What We Cannot Accept
Start Recycling Today
Setting up a recycling program with Phoenix is simple. Here is what to expect:
Contact Us
Tell us about your pallet volume, location, and how often you need pickups. We will design a program that fits your schedule.
We Collect
Our trucks arrive on schedule to pick up your used pallets. No prep needed — we handle the loading and sorting at our facility.
Get Paid or Save
Depending on volume and pallet condition, we either pay you for your pallets or provide free removal. Either way, you save on disposal costs.
What Happens to Pallets That Cannot Be Repaired
Even pallets that have reached the end of their structural life have value. We never send wood to a landfill. Instead, irreparable pallets are dismantled and transformed into useful products through three distinct channels.
Landscape Mulch
Pallet wood is ground into fine chips using our industrial hammermill, producing high-quality landscape mulch. This mulch is used by landscaping companies, municipal parks departments, and homeowners across the Phoenix metro. Each ton of pallet mulch replaces virgin wood chips that would otherwise require cutting live trees. We produce approximately 15 cubic yards of mulch from every 100 pallets processed.
Mulch produced
Biomass Fuel
Clean pallet wood chips are an excellent source of biomass energy. We supply local biomass power generation facilities with consistent, high-BTU wood fuel. Pallet wood burns cleanly and produces 6,400-8,000 BTU per pound — comparable to purpose-grown energy crops but without requiring farmland or water. This renewable energy offsets fossil fuel consumption in industrial heating and electricity generation.
Energy content per pound
Animal Bedding
Certain pallet wood species — particularly kiln-dried pine and spruce — are processed into shavings for equine and livestock bedding. The wood is screened to remove any nails or contaminants, then run through a shaving machine to produce soft, absorbent bedding material. Our animal bedding is used by horse stables, poultry farms, and livestock operations throughout Arizona and is free of chemical treatments.
Safe for all livestock
Recycling vs. Landfill: By the Numbers
The environmental and economic case for pallet recycling is overwhelming. Here is how recycling compares to landfill disposal on the metrics that matter most.
Bottom line: Recycling 10,000 pallets per month saves the equivalent of 710 trees, eliminates 33,000 lbs of CO2 emissions, and keeps 650 cubic yards of material out of Arizona landfills — every single month.
Free Pickup Program
Details & Qualifications
Our free pallet pickup program is available to businesses throughout the greater Phoenix metropolitan area and select locations statewide. Here is everything you need to know about qualifying and scheduling pickups.
Minimum Volume: 50 Pallets
We offer free pickup for loads of 50 or more pallets in the Phoenix metro area. For locations outside metro Phoenix, the minimum is 100 pallets per pickup. Loads under 50 pallets can be picked up for a nominal flat-rate fee of $75-$150 depending on location.
Scheduling Flexibility
Choose on-demand pickups whenever you have a full load, or set up a recurring schedule — weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Recurring customers get priority scheduling and a dedicated driver who knows your facility layout and dock procedures.
Coverage Area
Free pickup is available throughout the Phoenix metro (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye, and surrounding communities). Extended-area pickups to Tucson, Flagstaff, and Prescott are available for loads of 200+ pallets.
What We Handle on Site
Our driver arrives with a forklift and handles all loading. You do not need to stack, band, or prepare pallets — just have them accessible in a designated area. We load from docks, ground level, outdoor yards, and parking areas.
Get Paid for Premium Pallets
If your pallets are mostly Grade A or B (clean, structurally sound, standard sizes), we may pay you per pallet rather than simply removing them for free. Current buy-back rates range from $1.50 to $4.50 per pallet depending on grade, size, and volume.
Schedule a Free Pickup
Ready to clear out your pallets? Provide us with a few details and we will confirm your pickup within 2 hours.
How many pallets do you have?
50+ qualifies for free pickup in Phoenix metro
Where are they located?
Address or cross streets for route planning
What condition are they in?
Mix of grades is fine — we accept all conditions
Is there dock access?
Ground level, dock height, or outdoor staging area
How often do you need pickups?
One-time, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly
Corporate Recycling Partnerships
For businesses processing 500+ pallets per month, our Corporate Recycling Partnership provides dedicated support, guaranteed pricing, and sustainability reporting that strengthens your ESG commitments.
Dedicated Account Manager
A single point of contact who knows your operation inside and out. Your account manager coordinates all pickups, handles billing, resolves issues same-day, and conducts quarterly business reviews to optimize your pallet program.
Locked-In Pricing
Partnership agreements include fixed pricing for 6 or 12 months — shielding you from market fluctuations. You know exactly what pallet recycling will cost, making budgeting predictable and reliable.
Sustainability Reports
Receive monthly and annual sustainability reports documenting: pallets recycled, tons diverted from landfill, CO2 emissions avoided, trees saved, and water conserved. Perfect for ESG reporting, B-Corp applications, and corporate sustainability dashboards.
Priority Scheduling
Partnership customers receive priority scheduling for all pickups and deliveries. Need a same-day pickup for an unexpected surge? Partners jump to the front of the queue — guaranteed response within 4 hours during business hours.
Custom Recycling Containers
We provide free pallet collection bins or designated staging equipment at your facility. This keeps your dock organized and makes pallet collection faster. Bins are swapped out on a regular schedule or on-demand when full.
Revenue Sharing
High-quality pallets have resale value. Our partnership program includes a revenue-sharing component where you receive a percentage of the resale value of your recycled pallets. The better the condition, the more you earn back.
Our Recycling Operation
Processing thousands of pallets weekly through our state-of-the-art facility
Pallet Recycling: Myths vs. Facts
Misconceptions about pallet recycling prevent businesses from saving money and reducing their environmental footprint. Here are six common myths — and the reality.
Recycled pallets are weaker and less reliable than new pallets.
A professionally repaired and graded pallet meets or exceeds the same load-bearing standards as a new pallet. Our Grade A recycled pallets support up to 2,800 lbs of dynamic load — identical to a new GMA pallet. We replace every compromised component and use ring-shank nails for superior holding power.
Pallet recycling is not worth the effort for small businesses.
Even businesses generating 20-50 pallets per month benefit from recycling. Instead of paying $35-$65 per ton in landfill tipping fees, recycling removes waste for free — or puts money in your pocket. Over a year, a small business disposing of 30 pallets per month saves $1,500-$3,000 by switching to recycling.
Recycled pallets cannot be used for food-grade applications.
Recycled pallets that are heat-treated to ISPM-15 standards and graded to Grade A condition are fully compliant for food and beverage shipping. Many of the largest food distributors in Arizona use our recycled pallets. We maintain strict contamination screening — pallets that have been in contact with chemicals are never placed in food-grade inventory.
It costs more to recycle pallets than to throw them away.
The opposite is true. Landfill disposal costs $35-$65 per ton in Arizona, plus you need to arrange transportation. Pallet recycling through Phoenix is free for qualifying volumes (50+ pallets in the metro area) — and for high-quality pallets, we actually pay you. On average, our customers save $2,500-$8,000 per year by switching from disposal to recycling.
All wood pallets end up in a landfill eventually.
We maintain a true zero-waste operation. Pallets in good condition are repaired and resold. Damaged pallets are dismantled for repair lumber. Wood beyond structural use is ground into mulch, processed into biomass fuel, or converted to animal bedding. Every fiber of every pallet is repurposed. Our landfill diversion rate is 100%.
Pallet recycling programs are complicated to set up.
Getting started takes one form submission. We handle all logistics — pickup scheduling, sorting, grading, and processing. There is no paperwork on your end, no contracts required for basic recycling, and no changes to your existing dock workflow. Most customers are fully operational within 48 hours of their first inquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What pallet materials do you accept for recycling?
We accept standard wood pallets in all grades. We can also separate and recycle broken boards and stringers.
Do you provide recycling certificates?
Yes. We issue diversion summaries showing pallet counts and estimated landfill avoidance for your ESG reporting.
Can you pick up mixed or broken pallets?
Absolutely. We sort and process mixed grades and broken pallets at our facility after pickup.
How quickly can recycling pickups be scheduled?
Most Phoenix pickups are scheduled within 24–48 hours. Recurring routes guarantee capacity each week.
Do you offer drop-off options?
Yes. You can drop pallets at our Phoenix yard with prior scheduling if you prefer to deliver yourself.