Where do y'all find pallets?

[ydkjenn]

Everywhere I've been asking tell me they send them back to shipper/distributer to recycle and use again, so I don't know where people are getting free pallets from!

 

[The Farm]

Check CL (craigslist) and I get pallets from my cuz that owns a feed store.

 

[Klutch]

Try Home Depot or Lowes.

 

[MoonShadows]

You might want to do a little research online before you start using pallets. I know they are all the rage on this site, but studies have shown that many are laced with pesticides, carcinogenic chemicals and serious bacteria. Just do an online search for "dangers of wood pallets", and you might think twice about using them. Many choose not to "believe" these reports because they are already using pallets for projects or want to "believe" they are OK because they are free and cheap, but make sure you do your due diligence. I used to use pallets for many projects until I started educating myself about the REAL risks. Now, I will gladly pay for lumber cut at a local sawmill because I know what I am getting, and not taking a chance of compromising the health of my animals or my family. Remember, frugal does not mean "cheap"; it means to choose wisely.

 

[ke5hde]

You might want to do a little research online before you start using pallets. I know they are all the rage on this site, but studies have shown that many are laced with pesticides, carcinogenic chemicals and serious bacteria. Just do an online search for "dangers of wood pallets", and you might think twice about using them. Many choose not to "believe" these reports because they are already using pallets for projects or want to "believe" they are OK because they are free and cheap, but make sure you do your due diligence. I used to use pallets for many projects until I started educating myself about the REAL risks. Now, I will gladly pay for lumber cut at a local sawmill because I know what I am getting, and not taking a chance of compromising the health of my animals or my family. Remember, frugal does not mean "cheap"; it means to choose wisely.

I work for a pallet company and can say that's not always true. Most pallets are heat treated, there are very few fumigated. Take a look at the pallets you're getting and look for a US heat treat stamp on them. Stay away from the foreign ones. China will have a CN stamp, Taiwan will be TW, Korea is KR and so on. There's no telling what they do to them before they're shipped over here.

 

[Primo]

without doing the research moonshadow suggested (too lazy at the moment) My guess is what it would reveal is that pallets , especially pallets that have been reused multiple times, come into contact with various chemicals etc. Think of 55 gal drums of chemicals etc. leaking onto the pallets. Pallets being scraped through spills by forklifts etc. Now my take on this would be that I doubt it would be any more dangerous than using pressure treated wood in your coop build, which I have no problem with. Though I understand others would have a problem with it.

 

[Klutch]

First off I am not pallet pro, but there a difference in pallets not all some are returned for money (heavy duty) type. Then there are some that aren't worth returning to a pallet co. This is the pallet you can get for free.
P/S
I got mine from a hot tub dealer, size 103" x 83"

 

[MoonShadows]

Quote:
You are right, it is not always the case if you are using brand new heat treated, properly cooled wood pallets. Studies have found, though, that most companies that make heat-treated pallets aren't always as concerned about the cooling process. And, heat treated wood that has not been properly cooled is more susceptible to mold. Instances of mold actually increase when wood has been heat treated. Mold has been implicated in many human, and animal, health conditions.

Also, unless you are going to use brand new heat treated pallets for your project, you have no idea what they may have been exposed to. Most pallets people use have a long history. Studies have also been done on used pallets and instances of chemical contamination and bacterial contamination from E. Coli and Listeria have been found. In fact, more stringent regulations on pallets are being considered because of their possible threat to our nation's food supply.

Hey, I know we are exposed to chemicals and bacteria all day long. I guess for me, if I know something may carry a threat, I stay away (and I used to use pallets a lot!). If you use pallets, you should probably only use new heat treated, properly cooled ones. You can't tell what a used pallet may be harboring by looking at it, and that money you save or good feeling you get from up-cycling an old pallet may actually be hurting you.