How to Recycle Wooden Pallets

Recycling for Cash

• 1

  Locate free pallets. Whether you need one or hundreds, free pallets are found at warehouses, behind businesses and online in freebie ads.

• 2

  Repair broken pallets by using other pallets as spare parts. Remove and then replace broken boards using wood screws.

• 3

  Sell the recycled and repaired pallets at local warehouses, trucking firms or by locating a buyer online at Earth911.

Pallet Projects

• 4

  Screw three pallets together in a U-shape using wood screws. Add a fourth pallet with hinges to close the square. Staple chicken wire around the inside of your new compost bin. Fill with yard clippings, shredded newspapers, coffee grounds, eggshells and other kitchen waste.

• 5

  Level the soil. Cover the ground with a ground cloth or tarp. Set concrete pavers where the pallet corners will meet when laid flat on the ground. Arrange the pallets in an 8-foot by 10-foot rectangle on top of the pavers. Screw the pallets together with wood screws. Attach recycled plywood to the pallets to make a solid base. Build your new shed on top of the pallet platform.

• 6

  Take the pallets apart, setting aside all of the undamaged wood. Lay out and cut the 1-inch by 4-inch pieces according to a birdhouse pattern. Screw the pieces together and paint with recycled exterior house paint.

• 7

  Plan and build simple bookcases or tables from the recycled wood. Sand smooth and stain or paint to match your decor.