15 Feb 2017
Reusing wooden pallets is incredibly popular these days, largely because they can be used to make so many things, from tables and toy boxes to planters and chairs. Not all wooden pallets are suitable for the job, however, and it is important to ensure that the wooden pallets you want to use are safe.
There are two main ways to make sure that the second hand wooden pallets you want to use are safe: where they are sourced from and what markings they have on them. Firstly, it is important that if you buy wooden pallets to reuse that they have not been contaminated by shipping perishable items or even toxic chemicals. Instead, source second hand wooden pallets from reputable places and, if in doubt, ask your supplier if the pallets are safe to reuse.
Safe Second Hand Wooden Pallets
Many wooden pallets undergo chemical treatments, but there are markings that you can check for on pallets to ensure that you do not end up using those which have had these toxic chemicals applied. Some pallets may have more than a single marking, and it is important to remember that an unsafe marking will usually supersede a safe one.
In general, safe pallets will carry the DB, KD, EPAL or HT markings, meaning that they haven’t been treated with dangerous chemicals. Pallets marked with the letters DB have not been treated at all, while EPAL, KD and HY markings mean that the wooden pallets have been kiln- or heat-treated rather than being treated using toxic chemicals.
Markings on Unsafe Pallets
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. This is because it is an older code, meaning that you can’t be sure what it has been treated with, and it is on occasion when a safe marking (EPAL) overrides a potentially unsafe EUR marking.
Another easy way to tell if pallets may be dangerous to reuse is if they are brightly coloured, as this could indicate that they have previously been used to move toxic chemicals. If in doubt, it is best to avoid reusing such pallets.
Other Codes
Other pallet markings can include the code of the country they were made in and other identifiers. These may not give you specific information about their safety, but some countries are known to produce safer pallets than others. Newer British, Canadian and American pallets, for example, are largely safe as most are heat- or pressure-treated rather than being fumigated with chemicals.
Pallets must now have the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) logo and are typically marked with a country code, unique number and either HT or MB. DB is also used to signify debarked.
Reusing Wooden Pallets
There are a multitude of uses for safe second hand wood pallets. Some of the most popular choices include shelving units and display cabinets, storage containers, benches, planters, decking, headboards and beds, coffee tables, sofas and even kitchen units and breakfast bars.
« Back to Blog
FAQs
You can reuse any wooden pallets which have been treated by methyl bromide as pallets — they're completely safe for shipping purposes. But you should never use them to create repurposed furniture for the home or garden.
How to know if pallet wood is safe? ›
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.
How many times can a wooden pallet be used? ›
However, pallets are used on average around 5-10 times before they reach the end of their lifespan, so before you go ahead and think of a new use for it, double check that they're not still part of the supply chain.
What toxins are in wooden pallets? ›
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.
How to tell if wood is chemically treated? ›
Smell it! The chemicals used to treat lumber are ridiculously effective at preserving the wood. However, these same chemicals give off an extremely strong scent that can be detected very easily. If your lumber smells oily or like gasoline, it's treated.
What is the lifespan of a wooden pallet? ›
Over the course of the pallet's service, it's important for workers to keep an eye out for signs of damage and repair it when possible. New wooden pallets have an average life cycle of about three years, but that can be shortened or extended depending on the care.
How can you tell if a wooden pallet is rotten? ›
Decayed wood or unsound knots, especially around fasteners. Repairs above a notched area on stringer boards. Replaced pallet components that have notably different dimensions from companion pieces on the same pallet. Pallets with nonconforming dimensions, including squareness or flatness.
What pallets should you not use? ›
Pallets stamped with MB, code for methyl bromide, a very toxic insecticide. Methyl bromide has not been used on pallets originating in the UK or EU for some years but old pallets are still around and other countries still use this chemical.
Can mold grow on wood pallets? ›
First, many pallets are constructed using green or wet wood. The wood will eventually dry below 20 percent MC, but mold fungi can grow into and sporulate on the pallet while this process occurs.
What is the life of a wooden pallet? ›
On average, the usual timeframe for a wooden pallet is between 3 and 5 years.
Firstly, wood is a quite heavy material, and because of that it can break easier than other materials. Another downside would be the fact that it cannot be cleaned easily. Additionally, there is a higher risk of growing bacteria and fungus, which makes it unsafe for transporting food or other sensitive items.
How to tell if pallet wood is safe to burn? ›
Pallets are usually safe for burning in the fireplace unless the pallet is labeled 'MB'. Which are the initials that will be on those that have been treated with 'fumigant methyl bromide'. However, there is always the possibility of pallets coming into contact with different chemicals when they were being used.
How to tell if a pallet is safe for gardening? ›
There are some additional codes that can go on pallets but the main one to watch out for is MB. It means it was treated with Methyl Bromide. If you don't see an IPPC logo then you know not to use it. While a pallet may be perfectly safe without the logo, it could also mean it was treated with chemicals.
How do you disinfect wooden pallets? ›
After removing the loose dirt and debris, you should create a cleaning solution to wash the pallets. There are different cleaning solutions that you can use for this process, depending on your preferences. You can use a mixture of water and dish soap, bleach and water, or a vinegar and water solution.
What are the risks of wooden pallets? ›
THE HAZARDS
Most standard facility fire suppression systems are incapable of handling the fire and heat generated by a high stack of wood pallets. Stacking pallets outdoors against or near the side of a building creates an increased fire hazard, as storage yards are not usually protected by sprinkler systems.
How do you make pallet wood safe for indoor use? ›
Scrubbing the wood with bleach or soapy water and/or rinsing it with a power washer are good methods. Let the sun do a bit of cleaning, too, if you can—leave your washed pallets outside in full sun so they dry out completely and benefit from the disinfecting powers of UV rays.
Is pallet wood safe for the garden? ›
Ideally, you want to select pallets marked with and HT stamp. The HT stamp signifies that the wood on the pallet is heat-treated rather than chemically treated. Avoid chemically treated pallets to keep you, your family, and your vegetables safe from toxic contaminants.
Can I use pallet wood for furniture? ›
Pallet wood furniture is a popular and budget-friendly way to furnish an indoor or outdoor space while adding an easy-to-live-with dose of industrial style to any home.
