Pallets in a zero waste program
In a zero waste effort, pallets are often the easiest large stream to fix, because reuse and repair markets already exist. Reuse ranks above recycling and recycling above energy recovery, so a program that sends pallets to a reuse company, returns pooled pallets and grinds only broken wood usually scores best. Check the certifier's own rules.
Order of preference
- Reduce: fewer one-way pallets, through pooling or supplier take-back.
- Reuse and repair: sell or give sound pallets to a reuse company or back to the supplier.
- Recycle: grind what can't be repaired into mulch, bedding or feedstock.
- Energy recovery and landfill last.
Evidence to keep
- Pickup receipts with counts by type (reusable, repairable, scrap).
- A statement from the recycler of the end use of the scrap wood.
- Pooled pallet return records from the pooler's portal or bills of lading.
Watch for
Certification schemes set their own rules for what counts as diversion, and they change. This site doesn't summarise any scheme's current rulebook; read it directly, and note the version you used next to your rate. The diversion rate page covers the arithmetic.