Recycling Pallets!

Hi I'm new here and just found this thread. I just started my own pallet recycling business about a year ago. I own a small trucking company and haul livestock feed, the feedmills I haul out of are always looking for pallets and the feed stores I haul to are always looking to get rid of pallets. So I pay a flat $2 per pallet, some are in mint condition and some need a board replaced here and there. I also haul lumber for a local truss plant and they have dumpsters full of there scrap 2X4's cut to 4' lengths that I get for free, I also have places that give me there pallets for nothing and there just happy there gone. The best part is I never have to go out of my way or make a special trip to pickup or drop off pallets since I'm going there anyways with the truck & depending on what trailer I pull I can carry 400-600 pallets per load. I get $5.75 per pallet when I sell them which definetly helps the pocket book because trucking is real slow right now. My dad does quite a bit of woodworking so we already had quite a few saws/tools but since I started I've also bought 2 air powerd nail guns, a resaw & a pallet notcher, I'm still in the market for a dismantler though. It is quite a bit of work but if you enjoy doing it it's not really work & you can make some good money doing it too.

I have started saying pallets since reading through this thread. Our family owns a oil company and carwash chain so I have been getting a bunch from motor oil delivery and from parts shipments. I also stop for roadside pallets. Just a word of advice always ask if they don't have a free sign. We get pallets from drums from our petroleum brand with routed rings for drums and they change $60 per pallet we do not return. So be sure you can take them! What's the best kind of company to target for selling used pallets?
Thanks,
hwstem

Originally Posted by hwstem

What's the best kind of company to target for selling used pallets?
Thanks,
hwstem

I would say your best bet would be any kind of manufacturing business that ships alot of product out. Whenever I'm out traveling and see pallets sitting someplace I either stop by or call them up and ask if they would like to get rid of there pallets and if they say no then I ask if they would like to buy some pallets. You could also post a craigslist ad, I have 2 craigslist ads posted in my area. One ad looking for pallets and a seperate ad selling pallets, just don't post your asking and selling prices in the ad.


On another note, I'm looking for a pallet dismantling machine............the bandsaw type. Is anybody here familiar with them and can you suggest a good brand of dismantler??