How to Determine If a Wood Pallet Is Safe for Use (2024)

FAQs

How to Determine If a Wood Pallet Is Safe for Use? ›

Look for the IPPC stamp on the side of the wood to determine how it was treated. Pallets marked with an “HT” were heat-treated and did not come into contact with chemicals during the treating process. Avoid unmarked pallets or those stamped with an “MB” for methyl bromide.

Spot rotted wood by looking at the colour, and condition of the boards. They will often take on a darker color and may start to splinter. Placing heavy loads onto these pallets is not safe. If they are not repaired quickly, the wood can splinter and break at any time.

Pallet Markings

Once you've found a clean pallet in good condition, the next thing is to check for markings. If a pallet is unmarked, it generally means that it's a 'national' pallet used within a particular country. The wood in these is generally untreated but may still be safe to use.

“Pallets that have been dried with heat are completely safe to burn, they will be marked H/T (heat treated not with chemicals).

I prefer picking up pallets from the local lumberyard, as the ones found there have typically only ever transported nice, clean wood. Ultimately, you want to look for a stamp of “HT,” which means it's a heat-treated wood pallet (versus one treated with chemicals) and is the best option to use as a planter.

Markings to look out for include MB, which indicates that the wood has undergone treatment with the toxic chemical methyl bromide. A pallet may also be unsafe if it has the letters EUR but not EPAL as well.

The treatment designation that you should be the most cautious of is "MB." This stands for Methyl Bromide. Pallets with an MB stamp have been treated with a highly toxic pesticide which can be necessary in certain regions of the world where there are pests that can't be eliminated by heat treatments.

Remove any nails or fittings from the pallet. Leaving these behind can be dangerous for the environment and any other people or animals that may come along after you, especially in places like public parks. Either remove them prior to burning you pallets or be very sure to pick up each one and dispose of them properly.

To identify well-seasoned wood, check the ends of the logs. If they are dark in colour and cracked, they are dry. Dry seasoned wood is lighter in weight than wet wood and makes a hollow sound when hitting two pieces together. If there is any green colour visible or bark is hard to peel, the log is not yet dry.

Can I use old pallets for raised garden beds? ›

The Pallet wood you will need to use will need to be heat treated. All pallets will have some marking or stamp on them indicating how they have been treated. You will need to get some that have a HT (Heat Treated) stamped on them to make this safe for uses with a garden.

Sealing your wooden products with varnish or finishes is a popular method to ensure your wooden pallets are waterproof. Multiple layers of varnish can protect the wooden pallets from moisture and help them resist rotting over time, leading to a longer lasting product.

The standard is a 2 letter country code (xx), a unique number (000) assigned by the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO), HT for Heat Treatment or MB for Methyl Bromide, and DB to signify debarked.

Curious to know what the lifespan of a wooden pallet is? On average, the usual timeframe for a wooden pallet is between 3 and 5 years.

If you want to store your wooden pallets outside, you can do so for a few months before noticing signs of mould or rot. If you're planning on storing them long-term, however, it's best to store them in a dry area, protected from sun exposure.

Wooden pallets are highly susceptible to decay because of their biodegradable organic composition. The environmentally friendly part of pallets can also be their downfall. Pallet rot can present as surface mold, softening of wood, discoloration, or fungal growth.

Markings to look out for include MB, which means the pallet wood has been treated with Methyl Bromide. This is harmful to humans and the pallets can release toxic fumes if used as firewood. Pallets will also contain nails which shouldn't be finding their way into your stove.