Pallet Recycling in Toronto and the GTA

Why Pallet Recycling Matters

Wood pallets are made from lumber, and reusing a pallet avoids building a new one. When a pallet can't be reused, recycling its wood gives that material another use.

Recycling also gives your site a practical way to clear pallets that are taking up space and getting in the way of daily operations.

Cost: Compare a recycling quote with what you would otherwise pay for hauling and disposal. Pricing is by quote from partner suppliers.

The Recycling Hierarchy

Repair & Reuse (First Choice): A pallet that can be repaired goes back into service as a pallet, which keeps the most value in the material.

Remanufacturing (Second Choice): Pallets are taken apart, and usable components are recombined into remanufactured pallets.

Recycling into New Products (Final Option): Remaining wood can become mulch, animal bedding, particleboard or biofuel. This gives the wood one more use after it can no longer serve as a pallet.

Recycling Equipment

Sorting: Pallets are separated by type, size and condition. Methods vary between partner suppliers, from manual sorting to conveyor lines.

Dismantling: Dismantling tools separate deck boards and stringers so reusable components can be recovered.

Grinding & Chipping: Industrial grinders process damaged pallets into wood chips or fiber. Screening then separates the material by size for different uses.

Corporate Sustainability

Pallet recycling can support a company's waste reduction goals, and some businesses include recycling figures in their sustainability reports.

Keeping Records: Track the quantity and type of pallets you send for recycling. If you need supporting paperwork, ask the partner supplier what they can provide.

Regulations: Requirements can change, so for your site in Ontario, check current regulations on waste and recycling.

Collection & Logistics

Quantity: Tell us how many pallets you have. Whether a pickup makes sense for your quantity depends on the partner supplier, who confirms the details when they follow up.

Scheduling: One-time and recurring pickups are possible where partner suppliers offer them. Mention how quickly pallets build up at your site.

Documentation: If your industry tracks disposal, ask what records the supplier can provide before you confirm a pickup.

What You Can Ask About

Standard Wood Pallets: Include sizes such as 48x40" GMA, 42x42" and 48x48", and any custom dimensions, along with whether they are stringer or block designs.

Plastic Pallets: Recycling for plastic pallets is available where partner suppliers offer it. Mention them separately in your request.

Damaged & Contaminated Pallets: Severely damaged pallets can become feedstock for grinding. Always disclose any contamination, because the supplier may need to handle those pallets differently or may decline them.

What Usually Needs Another Route: Railroad ties, utility poles and pressure-treated lumber are not pallet material and need separate disposal channels. For anything treated with hazardous chemicals, check current regulations.

Processing & End Products

Landscape Mulch: Ground pallet wood can become natural or colored mulch for landscaping. Metal fasteners need to be removed from the material during processing.

Animal Bedding: Finely ground wood can be used as absorbent bedding, depending on the wood and how it is processed.

Engineered Wood Products: Clean pallet wood can be used as raw material for particleboard, where it meets the specifications of the mill buying it.

Biomass Fuel: Lower-grade material can be used as fuel for industrial boilers and biomass plants.

Rules and Markings

ISPM 15 Stamps: Heat-treated pallets carry an HT stamp showing treatment to a core temperature of 56 °C for 30 minutes. If you have stamped pallets in good condition, mention them in your request, as they may be worth reusing rather than recycling.

Local Regulations: Waste and recycling rules can apply to your site and to the businesses handling your pallets. For Ontario, check current regulations, and ask the partner supplier about their permits.

Getting More From Recycling

Source Separation: Sorting pallets by type and condition before collection helps more of them go to reuse. Separate heat-treated from non-treated, wood from plastic, and repairable from scrap.

Storage Management: Store recyclable pallets in a designated area away from active inventory. Keep them dry to prevent mold and rot, and stack them uniformly for easier loading.

Tracking & Reporting: Keep records of pallets sent for recycling, including quantities and types, and use them in your own sustainability reporting.

Why Reuse Comes First

• Reusing a pallet avoids building a new one
• Repair keeps usable wood in service
• Remanufacturing recovers good components
• Recycling gives remaining wood another use

Recycling Options

Where partner suppliers offer them:

• Wood pallet recycling
• Plastic pallet recycling
• Repair & refurbishment
• Remanufacturing
• Mulch & bedding material
• Biomass fuel material

Request Pickup

Ready to start recycling? Here is how it works:

• Free, no-obligation quote request
• A partner supplier follows up
• Pickup where available
• Pricing by quote