Any warehouse. Sometimes large stores, like: Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Home Depot and the like have pallets in the back. ASK FIRST! I'm sure they would be glad to accommodate your needs.
As I outlined in my original article about finding free pallets, Free and Low Cost Pallet Sources, it is usually hard to secure pallets from a large pallet generator such as a supermarket, big box retailer or manufacturing plant.
Large businesses usually have pallet programs in place to reuse pallets internally, for example, return them to a pallet rental company, or to sell them to a pallet recycler. Additionally, they often have stringent security and occupational safety programs in place that will dissuade them from letting you pick through their stacks of empty pallets. With this in mind, you are better served to deal with small shops, schools, seniors residences or other operations that generate a few pallets, and which might not have a reverse logistics program in place to deal with them.
2. Ask for free pallets from your local shopping locations
This is a variant of the "Think Small" theme above, but it has also worked for me at supermarkets and large building supply retailers. Over the years, I’ve chatted up more than my share of local retailers. Yes, part of the friendliness was self-serving. If you are looking for a specific type of pallet, and you are a valued customer, good things can happen.
You should understand, however, that some reusable pallets have to go back to suppliers. These may be rental pallets that are the property of those companies, or other proprietary reusable pallets that must be returned. Many shop operators, however, have pallets they will happily give away if it is not too much of a hassle to segregate them for you.
3. Check for free pallets from the distribution center
Even if your local business contact can’t get you the pallets you need, perhaps they can arrange a referral further up the supply chain to their distribution center. Often, distribution centers may receive very good quality, but non-conforming pallets that are not compatible with their systems. As such, they may be willing to set them aside and make them available to you for pickup. But never show up at the distribution center unannounced. Make sure to get a referral first. Realistically, having a distribution center let you in to take oddball pallets can be a longshot, but it might be worth the effort. If you can establish a relationship with the facility, you might lock into a large and enduring supply. One thing in your favor is that as business increasingly seek to achieve Zero Landfill and other sustainability aspirations, pallet upcycling is a clear step up from landfilling or grinding.
4. Find free pallets outside of businesses...but ask first
If you happen to notice empty pallets leaning against the back of a business or at a construction site, site management or operators might be amenable to letting you have them, but be sure to ask.
Do not assume that pallets left outside of a business are there for the taking. While it seems a reasonable assumption that if a business left pallets outside and unprotected that it did not really want them, this might not be the case. Sometimes businesses store pallets outside because they don’t have room inside to keep them until they are picked up. Increasingly, various states have pallet and container theft laws that might be applicable. If the pallet has an ownership stamp on it, such as CHEP, PECO, iGPS, Coca-Cola, U.S. Postal Service or others, then it should not be removed. Such companies vigorously enforce the property rights to their pallets, and you may find yourself charged with unlawful possession of them.
5. Pay a visit to your local pallet recycler or manufacturer
Pallet recyclers often receive very good quality but non-standard pallets that have little or no value to them, except possibly for dismantling or grinding.
If you visit a recycler and explain the type of pallets you need, they may have non-conforming pallets available for free or for a reasonable charge.
HINT: Here’s another thought. Although the name of the game is to obtain free pallets, the reality is that buying a new wood pallet is not all that expensive. In addition, they typically look great, constructed from fresh new lumber. By the time you consider the cost of your search for old pallets, it might just turn out to be a more cost-effective solution to purchase pallets from a local pallet manufacturer. There may be pallets that are off-sized or with other defects that make them inexpensive and a great buy for crafting.
around here usually the small business have them. leaning up against the wall. you could try bigger companies. but they pefer to get rid of them. i hope that works for you. it does for me. you have to ask first, some times they will haul out more. also ask them what time is the best time to get them luck to you.
K-mart, Wal-Mart, hardware stores, usually put them in a pile out in back of the store. Check with the store manager. I have also seen free pallets listed on craigslist. Hope this helps.
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Some times newspaper co. give them away for free
Craig's list
Any warehouse. Sometimes large stores, like: Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Home Depot and the like have pallets in the back. ASK FIRST! I'm sure they would be glad to accommodate your needs.
From http://www.thebalance.com
1. Small local Shops or Facilities
As I outlined in my original article about finding free pallets, Free and Low Cost Pallet Sources, it is usually hard to secure pallets from a large pallet generator such as a supermarket, big box retailer or manufacturing plant.
Large businesses usually have pallet programs in place to reuse pallets internally, for example, return them to a pallet rental company, or to sell them to a pallet recycler. Additionally, they often have stringent security and occupational safety programs in place that will dissuade them from letting you pick through their stacks of empty pallets. With this in mind, you are better served to deal with small shops, schools, seniors residences or other operations that generate a few pallets, and which might not have a reverse logistics program in place to deal with them.
2. Ask for free pallets from your local shopping locations
This is a variant of the "Think Small" theme above, but it has also worked for me at supermarkets and large building supply retailers. Over the years, I’ve chatted up more than my share of local retailers. Yes, part of the friendliness was self-serving. If you are looking for a specific type of pallet, and you are a valued customer, good things can happen.
You should understand, however, that some reusable pallets have to go back to suppliers. These may be rental pallets that are the property of those companies, or other proprietary reusable pallets that must be returned. Many shop operators, however, have pallets they will happily give away if it is not too much of a hassle to segregate them for you.
3. Check for free pallets from the distribution center
Even if your local business contact can’t get you the pallets you need, perhaps they can arrange a referral further up the supply chain to their distribution center. Often, distribution centers may receive very good quality, but non-conforming pallets that are not compatible with their systems. As such, they may be willing to set them aside and make them available to you for pickup. But never show up at the distribution center unannounced. Make sure to get a referral first. Realistically, having a distribution center let you in to take oddball pallets can be a longshot, but it might be worth the effort. If you can establish a relationship with the facility, you might lock into a large and enduring supply. One thing in your favor is that as business increasingly seek to achieve Zero Landfill and other sustainability aspirations, pallet upcycling is a clear step up from landfilling or grinding.
4. Find free pallets outside of businesses...but ask first
If you happen to notice empty pallets leaning against the back of a business or at a construction site, site management or operators might be amenable to letting you have them, but be sure to ask.
Do not assume that pallets left outside of a business are there for the taking. While it seems a reasonable assumption that if a business left pallets outside and unprotected that it did not really want them, this might not be the case. Sometimes businesses store pallets outside because they don’t have room inside to keep them until they are picked up. Increasingly, various states have pallet and container theft laws that might be applicable. If the pallet has an ownership stamp on it, such as CHEP, PECO, iGPS, Coca-Cola, U.S. Postal Service or others, then it should not be removed. Such companies vigorously enforce the property rights to their pallets, and you may find yourself charged with unlawful possession of them.
5. Pay a visit to your local pallet recycler or manufacturer
Pallet recyclers often receive very good quality but non-standard pallets that have little or no value to them, except possibly for dismantling or grinding.
If you visit a recycler and explain the type of pallets you need, they may have non-conforming pallets available for free or for a reasonable charge.
HINT: Here’s another thought. Although the name of the game is to obtain free pallets, the reality is that buying a new wood pallet is not all that expensive. In addition, they typically look great, constructed from fresh new lumber. By the time you consider the cost of your search for old pallets, it might just turn out to be a more cost-effective solution to purchase pallets from a local pallet manufacturer. There may be pallets that are off-sized or with other defects that make them inexpensive and a great buy for crafting.
around here usually the small business have them. leaning up against the wall. you could try bigger companies. but they pefer to get rid of them. i hope that works for you. it does for me. you have to ask first, some times they will haul out more. also ask them what time is the best time to get them luck to you.
K-mart, Wal-Mart, hardware stores, usually put them in a pile out in back of the store. Check with the store manager. I have also seen free pallets listed on craigslist. Hope this helps.
I know people donate free pallets on https://boxgiver.com/