Find your pallets for free
To benefit from an economic realization and to stay in the spirit of recycling, the best thing is of course to find free pallets. However, you must be vigilant, because some models, depending on the treatment they have undergone, can be a source of danger to your health and should not be used indoors. Other models are consigned, which is why it is necessary to ensure that the pallets are indeed to be given before serving you.
- You can find pallets in big box stores like hypermarkets or supermarkets. You can then check with the department manager to find out if you can pick up some and if so, on what day the stocks are received, this will allow you to come at the right time.
- It is common to find pallets in industrial areas or craft areas. Although they are usually stored outdoors, it is recommended to ask before serving. Often, because they are not taken back, companies seek to get rid of them.
- Small businesses often have pallets cluttering them up too, and they will be happy to be able to get rid of them without having to call a professional.
- Working with large volumes of goods, wholesalers are also among those who are often overrun with pallets.
- Beyond shops that often have pallets to clear, it is also possible to find them on construction sites. The larger the site, the higher the chances of finding pallets there. However, their access is limited. The construction site of a house is therefore more accessible. In any case, it is the site manager that you should contact to find out if you can take it.
- It is also possible to find them at a recycling center, but depending on the recycling center where you go, it is often forbidden to collect them.
Find used pallets
If you can’t find free pallets, an alternative is to look to the second-hand market. It is sometimes possible to find it on Leboncoin or even via recycling companies. It will be necessary to inform you to know the minimum to acquire in this case. And for good reason, only some agree to sell small batches of pallets. Usually the price of the pallet is around 7 euros depending on the model and size. It is better to opt for a company near you so that you can go and find them. Indeed, given the volume that represents a pallet, the shipping costs are high and quickly increase the bill. You can go to sites such as: Palette Concept, but also Discount Pack or Ebay, etc.
Buy new pallets
If you only need a small number of pallets or really can’t find used ones, a final alternative is to buy new pallets. But we must not hide it, they will be more expensive. In general, it takes 20 euros for a pallet. Some companies specializing in the marketing of pallets often sell in large quantities and therefore only to professionals. One can quote, for example: Pack discount, Raja or Rotom Shop. Some DIY stores also offer new pallets for sale. At one time, we could find it in Leroy Merlin or Castorama. The advantage of these pallets is that they are not treated. As the wood is raw, you can do whatever you want with it.
The different palettes
As we have mentioned, some pallets can present a health hazard. It is therefore important to understand the different markings to know which models to turn to and what you can do with them.
Thus, you should give preference to pallets whose treatment does not present any health risks. The marking affixed to them allows you to identify them:
- DB: the pallet has not been treated and does not present any danger;
- HT: the pallet having only undergone a heat treatment, it is harmless;
- EPAL: a quality and safety label for pallets.
As for pallets with a different marking, they are potentially dangerous and therefore, to be avoided:
- the MB marking informs that the pallet has received a treatment with methyl bromide which presents a significant danger;
- pallets with the EUR symbol should be avoided, unless this symbol is accompanied by the EPAL mention;
- color palettes can be attractive, but their level of toxicity is very important. Better to run away from them at all costs!
There are also pallets which do not have any markings. These are those which are used for the transport of goods in France, they are generally in raw wood and have not undergone any treatment. If they are, a priori, non-toxic, they can deteriorate over time.
To conclude, we recommend that you give preference to pallets marked DB, as they have not been subjected to any treatment and are therefore safe. EPAL pallets are also preferred for carrying out pallet projects, especially when solidity must be present, for furniture, for example. Indeed, these pallets are characterized by a great resistance.