How to Make Money Selling Wood Pallets

Collecting and selling wood pallets is an interesting way to make extra money, as they are used all over the country and the world. Companies use them to help transport goods from one place to another.

Some companies discard these pallets. They leave them outside their business for anyone willing to pick them up. People like you and me then gather them and haul them to another location for resale.

Anyone looking to earn extra money can collect these pallets and sell them to other companies. Yes, you’ll have to put in a little time and effort, but the money you make may be worth it.

Here are some answers to questions you might have about recycling wood pallets. Learn how to do it and how much you can make. If you have access to wood pallets, this could be a viable side hustle.

How Much Do They Pay for the Pallets?

The price you’ll get for your pallets depends on several factors. If the pallets are in good condition, you can sell them for more. Pallet prices range from 50 cents each to $4 each.

The price you’ll get per pallet depends on these factors:

What area you live in
How many recyclers are in the area
What local recycling companies are willing to pay

If you deliver quality pallets, you may attract a few clients who are willing to pay a decent price for them. Finding the right clients can earn you valuable side hustle money.

For instance, you find two clients who can pay $2 per pallet. If each client buys 100 pallets a week, you can make $400 per week selling pallets. You might wonder why companies want to buy pallets off the street from some guy (or girl).

Companies needing pallets for shipping will be eager to save money by purchasing recycled pallets. If you can help them cut their costs in half, you’ll save them a lot of money.

Remember that the companies you service will want to know you can keep up with their needs. They’ll want you to be able to meet their daily or weekly pallet demand and provide good service too.

Bonus: In most cases, pallet reselling is handled on a cash basis. This means you have the money you’ve earned in hand as soon as you drop the pallets off at their specified location. No waiting two weeks to get paid as you do at your 9-to-5 job.

Where Can I Find Wood Pallets?

There are a few places you may be able to find wood pallets. Local businesses are likely one of your best bets for finding wood pallets. And check your local Craigslist site as well to find pallets to resell. There were several listings for free wood pallets on Craigslist in my local area.

Also, I know of two local businesses in our small town that give away wood pallets. They have piles of wood pallets available for pickup, and they have a “free” sign alongside them.

Another option would be to check with local manufacturing companies that receive a lot of supplies. Stop by to see if they have wood pallets you can take off their hands. If they pay a company to remove the pallets, they’ll likely gladly have you take them for free.

Who Buys Wood Pallets?

If you want to make money recycling wood pallets, you’ve got several options for selling them. Of course, the number of clients you have depends on where you live.

It’s likely that the bigger the city you live in, the more places you’ll have that buy wood pallets. Here are some options for finding places to sell your wood pallets.

Sell to Local Manufacturers

Do you live in an area with many manufacturing companies? If so, selling your recycled wood pallets to these companies might be a good option.

Visit various company headquarters or call them on the phone. Explain that you’re a seller of recycled wood pallets. Start negotiations for a price that will make you a profit and save the company money.

Sell on Craigslist

Several people were offering to buy wood pallets on my local Craigslist site. They might want the pallets to resell themselves or to use for wood art or other projects.

The prices they were willing to pay ranged from 50 cents apiece on up. So, check your sites like Craigslist to see if buyers are available in your area. They might want to purchase the pallets you get for free.

Sell to Pallet Brokers

Pallet brokers exist all over the US and Canada. They work to ensure that wood pallets do not spend a lifetime in landfills. Sometimes, the companies repair and reuse the pallets.

Other times, they might resell the pallets. In cases where pallets are beyond repair, they often grind them up into wood mulch and resell them to those needing mulch.

Here are a few pallet brokers to choose from:

Kamps Pallets

Kamps Pallets has locations in nearly all major metropolitan areas. Its website has a contact page for those interested in selling pallets to Kamps.

North American Pallet Recycling Network

This is another prominent company that could be willing to buy the pallets you collect. It has locations in several of the 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.

The North American Pallet Recycling Network is eager to work with pallet recyclers. Their goal is to help redistribute pallets for long-term use.

National Wooden Pallet & Container Association

The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association works differently. Its website has a directory of companies that buy and sell wooden pallets.

Recyclers can use the directory to find contact information for companies in their area that may be interested in purchasing the pallets they have for resale.

Recycle.net

The recycle.net website has a section specifically for people who buy and sell wood pallets. This site might be a good place to find buyers for your pallets. Or places where you can pick up pallets for free.

Local Pallet Companies or Furniture/Woodworking Schools

These two options might also be viable places to sell the pallets you collect. Check local technical college listings for woodworking or furniture-making schools.

Or, check your local phone book, specifically the yellow pages, for pallet companies near you that may want to buy your recycled pallets.

What Will I Need to Get Started?

The costs to start recycling wood pallets can vary. However, if you already have one of the main items, they’re minimal. The main things you’ll need to get started are a truck and a trailer. Of course, the start-up costs will be cheaper if you already own these things.

I wouldn’t recommend purchasing these items unless you’ve researched them. However, if you are sure there’s a market for recycling wood pallets in your area, it might be worth the expense. If you were planning on purchasing a truck or trailer anyway, it could be worth the expense, too.

To repair broken pallets, you’ll also need a decent pair of work gloves, a drill, and some nails. The better shape they are in, the more money you’ll get for each pallet.

The biggest expense you’ll likely have is the gas needed to haul the pallets. However, you can save money on gas for your pallet recycling business in many ways.

First, you can plan your trips to hit businesses near one another on the same day.
Second, if your truck has a topper or sides installed, or if your trailer has high sides, you’ll increase the number of pallets you can haul. This can minimize the number of trips you’ll need to make, saving you money on gas.
Third, knowing where you’re going in advance (to avoid extra driving) will save money on gas. Use your GPS to plan your route.
Fourth, keeping your truck well-maintained will help it run better and use less gas.
Fifth, knowing where the cheapest gas prices are in your area will also help you save money on gas.

Combine these tips to maximize your profit on your wood pallet recycling business.

The Benefits of Recycling Wood Pallets

There are several benefits to recycling wood pallets. One great thing is that you can choose the hours you work. You can plan your work around your schedule and your clients’ schedules.

Also, you get to choose the clients with whom you work. If you find that a client’s attitude isn’t worth the money you’re earning, move on. Being your own boss also means choosing how much money you’ll make. You can work ten or fifty hours a week – the choice is yours.

How to Sell Wood Pallets – Summary

Whether it’s recycling wood pallets or one of the many other awesome side hustle options available, having a side gig is a great way to increase your income and achieve your financial goals.

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