OK, I grew up in communities that were supported by timber, but I never expected the world to embrace the pallet. Upcycling has become a fad, and the lowly wooden pallet has now a $15 dollar deposit for returns at the big box stores. This might have something to do with it. http://www.architectureartdesigns.com/35-creative-ways-to-recycle-wooden-pallets/. Thirty-five ideas for pallets. What would you do with the rough boards? Bonfires don't count.
Jewell, Who would have thought of all those nice looking, creative things to do with pallets. They are beautiful. I remember at, out stores, our delivery fellows forgot the pallets, accidently on purpose, just to get rid of them. It was a standing joke with the owner of the company.
I'll never look at a pallet again and say - 'Just throw it away it's no good for anything.' From now on if builders leave them behind I'm going to do something with them!! :-D
The possibilities are endless! Just check out 'Pinterest' and search for 'pallet'. What started out as a way to use up free garbage pallets has started something that is really catching on. I am not surprised to hear there are deposits on them now!
Super ideas. One of the business in the industrial park where my office is always throws out pallets. Usually they're in pretty rough shape. I may just have to start collecting the good ones.
Theres a nature park nearby that has a 3 part compost bin made of these! I want to make one ( photo / image / picture from TheBip's Garden )
Not to rain on the parade of pallet lovers but please be sure the pallets have not been chemically treated before you use them inside, for outdoor furniture that kids will sit or play on, compost bins or growing veggies or firewood. Those chemicals can be accidentally inhaled by a person taking them apart, sawing, sanding or building something from them. And the vapors can escape from the wood into the air. Know what the pallets were used for, some have been found to contain all sorts of chemicals that were accidentally spilled on them during their original use. Also, if the pallet was used to transport fresh food items, the wood could harbor pathogens such as E. coli and Listeria. Better safe than sorry.
