Don’t Throw That Old Pallet Away [35 PICS]

Asmatullah

I understand what is it! So from today I will never through old things.

Darren

who said it takes one tree to make a pallet?

Josh

Relax Bill, youre being "that guy".

ced

The glass topped coffee table pallet would make an awesome salad bed.

Pete

What is a "salad bed"?

http://twitter.com/cjet909 @cjet909

One thing to keep in mind about pallets – almost every one is chemically treated to prevent rot and insects – some many times over. I suppose by sealing it very well with a coat or two of primer or polyurethane, you would be ok, but some applications (the child's desk) I would not feel safe with at all.

https://www.facebook.com/ddotbutz Dana Dane

Yet some pallets should seem to be very worn so your chemical treatment theory must not be true for "almost every"
- EMM
  
  Physical wear is different than rot and insect feeding. So his "theory" is spot on. And it's no theory. It's fact.
http://www.facebook.com/annette.jensenpatterson Annette Jensen-Patterson

Yes, you are right! There is a ratio of treatment that you should know, and they are all marked with a stamp that tells you what chemicals.
https://www.facebook.com/audreen.limaconnors Audreen Keahi Lima-Connors

True, but is it any different than the very furniture you buy for your home? If you recycle used old things into a great piece for your home, i just wouldn't suggest burning it as fuel or for warmth.
- Jacquie.
  
  For those who are so worried about the chemical treatments of pallets and your children's exposure, please start checking what is in most children's fabrics, the majority of furniture today (mdf), your carpets, etc. Formaldehyde is in each and all. It is in a lot more than we could even imagine, I watched a program on this a while back. Was really surprised at the different items that contain this and other chemicals AND they are all "deemed safe" for children.
  - Brian
    
    We arent talking about formaldehyde, we're talking about CYANIDE, and things of that sort used on treated lumber. No one should let their skin come into contact with unsealed treated lumber if at all possible.
- Angela
  
  Why spend time worrying about sitting on those chemicals? They are everywhere. There is flame retardants in butter. You are ingesting this crap on a daily basis. So everyone relax and go drink a bottled water.

https://www.facebook.com/Anastasia.V.jnr Anastasia Vilou

Excellent ideas!!

http://www.facebook.com/saddio Net To Mailbox

Beautiful pallets. These are great ideas to use old things but in a way that makes one's home beautiful. Thanks for sharing

https://www.facebook.com/ddotbutz Dana Dane

LMFAO "Save the pallets from useless destruction of home decor!"

Jim

After looking at that crap, no, don't throw them away. Burn them so idiots that do this stuff dont get them.

lawyerruth

"One man's meat is another man's poison."

insane membrane

Brilliant ideas I love the one hung with candles in jars .

dollarstorecraftsdotcom

Credits/links for these photos??? Why wouldn't you link to the original sources?

http://twitter.com/DakotaTimmons @DakotaTimmons

Good point. If you refer to our terms of use, you'll see we often don't have the original source. When we do however, we always be sure to post it. Especially in our Art galleries etc. :)
http://radass.com/copyright/
http://twitter.com/DakotaTimmons @DakotaTimmons

Good point. If you refer to our terms of use, you'll see we often don't have the original source. When we do however, we always be sure to post it. Especially in our Art galleries etc. :)
http://radass.com/copyright/

http://twitter.com/WrinkleAttack @WrinkleAttack

What great ideas! I am going to try some of them. Especially #26 – it is fantastic! Could be used for a home theatre.

Jim

not to mention most pallets are treated and covered in chemicals that are both hazards to your health and some are highly flammable.

C. James Cote'

Well, that's why you can see that most of the pallets in these photos are repainted or varnished… Almost everything in our world today is covered in harmful chemicals… This is about transforming something ugly (albeit useful) into something beautiful.

brian gilkes

would like to see pictures of the same used in plastic pallets come on who,s got any!!!!!!!!!!!

Liz Bray

I really appreciate the re- purposing of this. Have used them many times for theater projects.

http://www.facebook.com/websitenizolsun Websiteniz Olsun

Beautiful pallets.

Angela

That would be nice if it were always true, but many businesses throw them in the dumpster. I know, that's where I got mine.

By the way Jim, not all palettes are chemically treated, some are heat treated and others not at all.

Lanka

the idea of grawing vegitables is admired as it can be used in places where we hv less space

Pete

What is an "idea of grawing vegitables"? You mean grOwing VegEtables?

v.srinivasan

Very good idea. Thank you.

https://www.facebook.com/pamela.fisher.792 Pamela Fisher

This is the greatest site

Kate

Yes, they sometimes do throw them away. Our local hardware store puts them in a big "free for the taking" pile every month.

http://facebook marceda teter

Love this!!!!!! So many Awesome ideas!!!

sweethaven

i did not kow that…. thanks.

Jon Ludwig

Aren't pallets treated with chemicals so they last longer?

https://www.facebook.com/audreen.limaconnors Audreen Keahi Lima-Connors

yes and no- depends on the company who uses them-company i worked for had to heat-treat and chemical treat because we shipped out to Longshoreman dock for overseas was required ( no wood eating bugs, etc.,)
Heather

Food grade pallets are NEVER treated. Some are, but never food grade. If you see blue wooden pallets, they are usually food grade. When I used to make pallets for shipping primary metering units, they were never made with treated lumber. We built them and sent them out. Reality is, most pallets are NOT reused. They are used once and tossed so don't be afraid of the pallets, use them.
https://www.facebook.com/aguinaldomaria Aguinaldo Maria Maria

Olhar a pallet com outros olhos. (nada se perde, tudo se transforma).

https://www.facebook.com/tferrem Theresa Ferre

Pallets are not rebuild they are sent to the recycling centers and shredded up into the wonderful mulch that you get in bulk to put onto your flower beds. Some do have chemicals in them, thats why you only use that kind of mulch on non-edibles. There is no cost advantage to re-building a pallets. Cheaper to throw it out, thats why it is a good idea to re-purpose them. Love some of these ideas. I used a bunch of pallets to make our chicken coop with.

Amy

would like more info on how you made the chicken coop. I was thinking about doing that, not sure how it would turn out.
Mick

There is a large industry for rebuilding pallets. These recycled/rebuilt pallets generally are sold by the trailer-load at about two-thirds the cost of new pallets.

penny pincher

Not all pallets are treated. They are also made of different woods. The ones from steel mills are generally made of oak, but most are made from pine. Also the support blocks are sometimes particle wood, and don't hold up too well.

I make things from pallets that would otherwise get thrown away. Like compost bins. They are pine, used to deliver paper, so they've got wider/thicker boards on them and the boards are closer together. The ones I get are the half size and the little tiny (like 1.5 x 2 ft) size. They don't appear to be treated. Next project is a raised bed garden, then some little tables.

http://www.facebook.com/The.HeWolf He Wolf

Not all pallets are recycled for what they are intended for. The fact is the good ones are very hard to get. That being said One has used pallets for fencing strange look but a good 4ft fence. If treated as told all the better. but I sinuously dough it. All I ever got out of them Is a lot of slivers n pain. The rustic head board idea looks kool!

http://www.facebook.com/upchurchfan Lisa D'Andrea

love this!

ChrisD

I love the hay manger, but our goats would eat the manger along with the hay! LOL. Great ideas, someone is thinking :)

Kim

Isn't all lumber treated?? Why such concern over the pallets, most of our homes are built of treated lumber. Repurposing, reusing, recycling–a good way to take care of Mother Earth, and our ancestors would be proud of us! Love thes pictures, very inspiring!

Sun

Uh, no, they are NOT reused. Every auto dealer in town has ads on Craigslist to haul them away for free. They PAY people to haul them away. Please try to not be such a Mo Ron!

Suzanne

Perhaps it depends on where you live. In my area, I've never ever seen a pallet anywhere close to the quality in these examples because they've been used until they're almost destroyed. Maybe Bill lives somewhere were they DO reuse their pallets to make more pallets. Please try not to be such a JERK.
Art B.

every auto dealer? Take them to task then as there are ways and places to recycle them. Auto dealers are not typically in the business for pallets. Education may stop this. Google search pallet yard. They are big money. They do get rebuilt by many pallet yards. It is more cost effective to rebuild rather then buy all new material. just a point.

Mpas

Very few places reuses pallets. my husband and i took a semi load from his work…. could get one every month. the rest go to the dump if no one takes them since their is such high volume they get with that type of business… so reuse people reuse! there is info out there to find out how to tell if they are treated. we have made bird houses, tables, are making a rustic wood board ceiling cover for a wall and a ceiling in our home…. check out pinterest.com for more ideas!

tawn

You are incorrect. Pallets do get thrown away. More now than ever since a new plastic pallet that wont be recycled until it's completely broken down. Where I live stores, businesses, and fruit shed list on Craigslist every day that they have stacks of them to give away.

Michelle D

Love it all. Fantastic. Glad you shared.

Linda

Where would I get pallets? I see them in use at stores, but I have not seen them just laying around for free.

Sheila

Not all pallets get recycled. There are always places that put them out for "free", and I'd rather see them get used like this that go to rot. Besides, all these things that re-purpose the pallets would have caused trees to be felled to build them, too – so your point there is nullified. Also, the power consumption to make pallets is far less than to make furniture. Up-cycling or re-purposing pallets is far more economical.

Audrey

There is nothing wrong with using treated wood to make furnishings with. The wood is excellent for out door projects. It can withstand the elements better then non treated wood. If you like the rustic look indoors… Just seal it up with a couple coats of varathane. There are some very good ideas here!

Pete

Whats "Varathane" ?

Jo Lane

These are some really great ideas. I wholeheartedly endorse reuse of pallets. The frames for my kitchen units were made out of pallets and we also made a little house for my daughter with pallets.

Some pallets are treated, some are not it depends on whether they are intended for single use or not…I thought most of the plantings looked very new, and whilst initially worked well I think they might be the triumph of form over function. regret planting so many nasturtiums so close together, everything else will become swamped

Maura 302

Yes Jon, some are. Here's an interesting link if anyone is really interested in learning more: http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplrn/fplrn0213…

Ruth Carew

Wow some fab ideas!

Geri Anne

Wow if you look at the conservative view of being "green" friendly you are correct. However the beauty, creativity and ingenuity of these builders and artist were overlooked by you or your consideration for them was not regarded. I saw jaw dropping, whimsical and practical uses out of eye sores you usually see behind a nasty smelling dumpster. So that is the point of these fine pieces. Now tell me you have a solution for all the disposable diapers that are floating around in all our oceans? That would take some serious thinking there.

https://www.facebook.com/lynne.sebring Lynne Volek Sebring

It's called re-purposing!

Kathy Tank

Really liked the idea of using pallets for a deck or walkway. Would make a great partition for a patio, upon which to hang plants. Great to build an open shed or a three-sided hay shed too, just cover with a tarp, for the hay.

dan

use rock

Tabetha Jones

these are some really great ideas here and would love to make some of them….especially patio surround ! , but when I worked in automotive supply business years ago, we were NOT allowed to take pallets as they were re-used by the various companies who had supplied them. Know of any place that would let a person have them ?, we live in Langley, BC Canada, Anyone ?

Pam Demas

Here in the US homeimprovement stores like Lowes and maybe Home Depot give them away and they are not dirty.

Art B.

Sadly many do get thrown away. however there are places that will come get them. In fact it is a full on industry much like aluminum can recycling. those so interested can get anywhere from $2-$15 dollars for a pallet if they cared to tote them in. I live in an industrial area where most do get recycled. Those who don't recycle them are loosing out on money and are the ones to blame for the needless wasted space in a landfill. I love the re-purposing of these. Very creative. Do a Google search for pallet yard. They are real. Keep up the creativity.

https://www.facebook.com/kspiatt Katrina Smith Piatt

Thanks Bill. While re-purposing is great, this new idea is taking-off with a lot of assumption. Our culture is learning anew how to simplify, but more importantly, subsist and survive. Where I live pallets are an industry, like scrap metal. People daily read ads, find businesses, collect them, and haul them to places that pay out $1-5 a pallet-then rebuild them. In fact, they may not appreciate home decor is more important than their subsistence. I doubt the people (yes, innovatively) above "re-worked" them and placed them aethetically next to their "Swedish" lamp, have worked hauling pallets or scrap metal. Simply, don't assume they're trash, and therefore you're treasure. Verify if they are, indeed, available.

Michelle

Trees do not get cut down to make pallets. They are not made from prime wood, not even #2 grade wood. They are from pieces that do are not going to be used in building anything.

janjan

Chill Bill. Some of us can not afford to go out and buy new furniture. I think its a great way to use them. I just phoned my friend who owns a courier company to pick me up a couple.

mattyboomsma

in my country we can not pay expencive stuf. so this give me a good idea

Blake

Still just looklike old pallets!

JAMIE

I have been working in a pallet recycling center for 10 years. Reusable pallets have pieces replaced as needed and then sold back to customers, so by turning these into furniture it does take one out of circulation. Although it has been most likely used many times and, furniture is usually made of wood anyway. Some pallets are treated but, not many. Most of the time if pesticides were ever shipped on the pallet it will say pesticide use only. The pallets that have a HT type stamp n them mean the have been heat treated to prevent insects from going t other countries, these pallets have no chemicals and are treated by putting in a kiln for 8 hours to kill insects. O and the average hardwood lumber tree produces around 20 pallets

Maria

Whoopie good for you! Way too much information! 3 mins I'll NEVER get back. . . . . .

pedro

Pallets are treated with a resin to make them last longer,but because i have worked with every pallet known to man the furniture and table just lood trampy and out a skip furniture . Not a good selling point when moving or bedding either,enjoy your toxens sprayed all over them.

http://www.bestjobstore.com diwaker

remarkable use of old pallet i am very excited to follow at least one. I like very much 35,25 and 14.

thanks

http://www.facebook.com/cleide.alves.9862273 Cleide Alves

Excellent ideas.

Christo

If you build your sofa from pallets you will not get other sofa made from tree, fabrics and in some cases leather from dead animal. You simply stop taking part in much bigger another chain of biznesses.

besides those looks very much cool. simplicity is the key here :-) thumbs up

Eva

I agree with you, of course, but I must say, fabrics and leather are perfectly ecological. Synthetic fabrics are artificial, ergo they're not a threat to ecosystem, unless they're disposed of instead of recycled. Natural fabrics come from plants grown in controlled, human-driven fields, so that their wild brethren are fine. When it comes to leather, it's usually acquired from animals killed for food (and killing something for food is in every way natural, especially when that something suffers as little as possible during the process), because after the meat is separated, the other parts of the body can still be useful. If leather wasn't made into car seats and sofas, it would have to be thrown away, which in my humble opinion is even worse. This doesn't, of course, apply to furs and leather of wild animals like crocodiles.

alexandru

Yes, but leaving it "in the system" so that an other tree won't be cut down, will mean that you will have to buy the furniture you need from a shop, and it will be produced from a tree wich was cut down so you can buy your thing. And we are not even speaking about the whole process of production, transport, administration, etc., wich means consume of petrol, electricity ,pollution (production of fumes, co2,-wich
can produce cancer, enphisema, etc) wearing of roads, tyers, etc, etc. And, oh, administration, wich uses paper, among other things, for wich cutting trees is also necessary.
So, which is better? or worse? Wouldn'y it been better to enjoy the wonderful show of creativity, artistry,
sometimes even beauty? Wenn will you fanatic ecologists understand that sometimes, with the best
intentions, you are just being plain idiots?
Cordially yours,
Alex

Angela

With all due respect, it would probably be a good idea to learn how to spell and write correct sentences before you call other people idiots. These are peoples opinions and just like a**holes, everybody has one. Just because it is different from yours, does not mean they are idiots. Is it possible to have a disagreement rather than a fight? Yes, it is called a conversation. Give it a try sometime. Now, re-read the first sentence.

Joebag

I like how anyone who has worked with pallets find these nasty, and the yuppies and hipsters think these are fantastic… I would never stick a dirty rotten used pallet in my house and a new one will cost more than the equivalent amount of lumber, making them useless. Also, nobody throws pallets out in these eco-obsessed, poor economy times unless they're completely trashed, meaning that they are beyond usable. They usually get repaired or are used as donors to other pallets. Just buy some good lumber and actually build something attractive instead of going, "hey, look, this pallet has slots and holes that things fit into, let me pretend I'm original and green for recycling." If I walked in your house and saw a pallet, I'd probably think you were a moron.

Maria

Amen! Sing it sister! Who wants a filthy, sliver laiden peice of rubbish in the living room? Imagine Baby Snookums getting a sliver at her "used to be garbage" pallet and Mumsie having a fit looking for a lawyer to sue the pallet industry…. do civilization a favor and burn them!
Dan

dickhead.
- http://www.facebook.com/greg.seth.56 Greg Seth
  
  *realist
http://www.facebook.com/greg.seth.56 Greg Seth

i agree. I don’t want this shit in my house. I’d rather go to Ikea (at the very least) and buy something that will last two weeks.

http://www.facebook.com/ty.chang.90 Ty Chang

truly amazing

joel

great pallet ideas!!!
none of these are the original use of a pallet, but they are still great
keep up the good pallet ideas guys
you have made pallets famous again

happy pallet

Maria

Sell crazy somewhere else…. huh?

http://www.habibies.com Sarah Jackson

Amazing House

Deana

That was great !
I don't have any pallets but I have so much other stuff, ergo, I have to watch that Hoarders show once a month to get my act together.
This post kind of made me want to keep on holding on to my stuff, because I know it has value or another purpose.
(Thankfully, it's not milk cartons, old juice containers and other gross food kind of things) .
This was so funny. I love how creative people can be.

Maria

Wow! Jeepers! Arent you something? Do you indulge in adult beverages daily? Get a bucket and a broom and clean that house! Dont hold on to anything, what happens to it when all is said and done? It gets left for someone else to throw out….. to the heap it goes! If you wonder what that smell is, look for the cat…. they often are showcased on Hoarders "hiding" under all that garbage!

jane

Lindo, criativo e maravilhosas idéias de reaproveitar!!!!!! Parabéns

muhammad khan

wawoooo thats great stuff and lovely and love that much a lott. and i am damn sure you will fine more great stuff humore fun jokes here http://www.gagmeme.com thanks for your nice cooperation !!

Eva

Of course, if instead of using a free pallet to make a bed for your kid, you buy him a new one, the trees are perfectly fine. After all, beds aren't made of wood, right? Nor are desks, deckchairs, benches and tables. Sure thing, Bill.

https://www.facebook.com/sagrafismowebdesign Sérgio Pereira

Great Ideas!

http://www.facebook.com/annunci.bakeca Annunci Bakeca

Cool idea…i just loved it! I had some pallets in my yard…i think i've got an idea…

Magnificent Magnets

The pallets stacked to put papers and magazines in is a perfect idea for my art studio where we need to separate orders for our magnets as well as other supplies, books, etc. Thank you!

Fredda from The Magnificent Magnet http://www.themagnificentmagnet.etsy.com

Печенье

Very resourcefully!

Paula Sue Cleveland

Now these are some really good ideas!
I'm gonna be looking for some old pallets now!

Barbara

O waoh, who would have thought

Sam

I have been in the pallet repair business for 15 years and have never run across or heard of chemically treated pallets. They are heat treated to kill mold, bacteria, and pests so they can be shipped aceoss state lines. Also, it only takes about 6 to 10 board feet of lumber (a board foot is 1ft x 1ft x 1inch thich) to make a pallet and there are well over that many board feet of lumber in any tree that would be harvested.

angeles nosti

Es genial. lo malo es que los palés de pongan de moda y su precio suba hasta las nubes.

http://www.sydneyescorts4you.com Raven Mendoza

Wow! I just wish they gave those containers away here in the Philippines.

Faberuna

Incredible!

Alex

only specific types get re used, as from experience I have thrown a lot away, the treated ones are re-used,.. so chances are your not going to get ahold of treated one as they are expensive.

joe terney

I'm new to pinterest but I like it already.

http://www.chicagoland-realestateagents.com/ Realtor Hoffman Estates

Just put a bird on it. Thanks for the post.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=780577473 Nick Padovese

yes, throw that old pallet away.

http://www.lovefilmfreetrial.com/ Lovefilm Free Trial

I work with pallets every day, never and I mean NEVER have I thought of them in this way! Some crackin ideas there :)

randombmxer

i just figured out what to make my quarter with lol

http://www.facebook.com/zacharyjohnsonfriendlylurker Zachary Johnson

This only works if you are using fine, hand crafted, premium wood pallets that you find every day. Duh

matt

nice observation.

tom

right

Pete

through ? Do you mean Throw? As in I am also never going to THROW out any old things again?

Don’t Throw That Old Pallet Away [35 PICS]

Around the web

Radass.com Links

Friends of Radass