Pallet Recycling
Responsible disposal and recycling for pallets that have reached the end of their life. We turn waste into valuable resources with a 98% waste diversion rate.
Schedule Recycling Pickup
Tell us about your recycling needs.
What Happens to Recycled Pallets
Every pallet we recycle is transformed into valuable products that serve industries across Northeast Ohio. Nothing goes to waste. Here is a detailed look at the six primary products created from recycled pallet wood.
Landscape Mulch
Pallet wood is ground through industrial chippers and screened into consistent, high-quality mulch suitable for residential landscaping, commercial properties, municipal parks, playgrounds, and garden centers. Our mulch is natural, untreated, and available in bulk quantities. It suppresses weeds, retains soil moisture, and provides an attractive ground cover that decomposes slowly to enrich the soil over time.
Animal Bedding
Clean, kiln-dried wood chips are processed into soft, highly absorbent bedding material used by farms, equestrian facilities, kennels, and pet care operations throughout Northeast Ohio. Our bedding products are free of chemical treatments, nails, and contaminants. The natural wood fibers provide excellent cushioning and odor control, making them a preferred choice for livestock and companion animal housing.
Biomass Fuel
Wood waste that cannot be repurposed into other products is converted into biomass fuel pellets and chips for industrial heating systems and power generation facilities. Biomass fuel is a carbon-neutral, renewable energy source that displaces fossil fuels. Our biomass products meet quality standards for moisture content and BTU output required by commercial boiler systems.
Reclaimed Lumber
Structurally sound boards and timbers are carefully extracted from pallets and made available for construction, furniture making, art projects, and DIY applications. Reclaimed pallet lumber has become highly sought after for its rustic character and sustainability credentials. We sort and grade reclaimed boards by species, dimension, and condition for easy selection.
Compost Material
Untreated, natural wood chips from recycled pallets are supplied to commercial composting operations as a carbon source for balanced compost production. The wood chips create air pockets in compost piles that promote aerobic decomposition, resulting in nutrient-rich soil amendments used by farms, nurseries, and landscaping companies across the region.
New Pallet Components
Salvageable boards, stringers, and blocks are extracted from damaged pallets and used as components in building new and refurbished pallets. This closes the loop on pallet lifecycle management, reducing the demand for virgin lumber and lowering the cost of rebuilt pallets. Approximately 35% of recycled pallet material is recovered as usable components.
Our Recycling Process
From pickup at your facility to finished recycled products, our process is designed to maximize material recovery and minimize environmental impact at every stage. Here is exactly how it works from start to finish.
Collection & Pickup
We collect pallets from your facility using our own fleet of trucks equipped with forklifts and pallet handling equipment. Pickups can be scheduled as a one-time service or set up as a recurring route. We handle all loading, so your staff and equipment remain focused on your core operations. Pickups are available throughout our 75-mile service area around Cleveland.
Facility Receiving & Sorting
Incoming pallets are unloaded at our processing facility and immediately sorted into categories based on their condition and potential for reuse. Pallets suitable for resale or repair are separated first. Pallets that have reached the end of their usable life move into the recycling stream. This initial sort maximizes the value recovered from every load.
Metal Removal & Decontamination
All nails, staples, screws, and other metal fasteners are removed using industrial magnets and manual extraction tools. Metal is collected separately and sold to metal recyclers, ensuring nothing goes to waste. Pallets are also inspected for contaminants such as chemicals, paint, or hazardous materials, which are handled according to environmental regulations.
Component Salvage
Before any pallet enters the grinding process, our team extracts all reusable boards, stringers, and blocks. These salvaged components are sorted by size and condition and stored for use in our pallet repair and rebuilding operations. Component salvage typically recovers 30-40% of usable material from pallets that would otherwise be fully ground down.
Grinding & Processing
Remaining wood is fed through industrial grinders and hammer mills that reduce it to chips of various sizes depending on the end product. Screens separate the chips into grades suitable for mulch, animal bedding, biomass fuel, and compost material. The grinding process is carefully controlled to produce consistent particle sizes that meet quality standards for each product category.
Quality Control & Packaging
Finished products go through quality control checks for particle size consistency, moisture content, and freedom from contaminants. Mulch, bedding, and fuel products are then loaded for bulk delivery or packaged in bags for retail distribution. Every batch is tested to ensure it meets the specifications required by our end-use customers.
Distribution & Sale
Recycled products are distributed to landscaping companies, farms, energy facilities, composting operations, and retail garden centers throughout Northeast Ohio and beyond. Our products compete on quality and price with virgin alternatives while offering the added benefit of sustainability. Revenue from recycled products helps keep our recycling pickup services affordable.
Documentation & Reporting
We provide detailed recycling reports to our clients that document the volume of pallets processed, the products created, and the environmental impact metrics including waste diversion tonnage, carbon emissions avoided, and landfill space preserved. These reports support your sustainability goals and corporate social responsibility reporting requirements.
Recycling Service Tiers
We offer three levels of recycling service to match your volume, frequency, and reporting needs. All tiers include our commitment to 98% waste diversion and environmentally responsible processing.
Environmental Impact
Pallet recycling has a measurable, significant positive impact on the environment. Here is where every pallet in our recycling stream ends up, and why it matters.
Every year, approximately 420 million pallets end up in U.S. landfills. By recycling with Cleveland Pallet, you help reduce that number while supporting local production of sustainable mulch, bedding, and fuel products. Our 98% waste diversion rate is among the highest in the industry.
Recycling Solutions by Industry
Different industries generate different types and volumes of waste pallets. We tailor our recycling programs to the unique needs of each sector, ensuring efficient pickup schedules and compliant processing for every client.
Manufacturing & Assembly
Manufacturing facilities generate large volumes of pallets from incoming raw materials. Our recurring pickup programs prevent pallet accumulation and keep loading docks clear, improving workplace safety and operational flow. We can match pickup frequency to your production schedule.
Retail & Distribution
Big-box retailers and distribution centers receive thousands of pallets weekly from diverse suppliers. Many of these pallets are mixed sizes and conditions not suitable for reuse. Our recycling program handles the entire mix, sorting reusable pallets from recyclable ones to maximize value recovery.
Food & Beverage
Food industry operations require strict hygiene standards. Pallets that have been contaminated, stained, or are otherwise unsuitable for continued food-contact use need proper disposal. We process food-industry pallets in compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations.
Construction & Demolition
Construction sites accumulate pallets from building material deliveries. These pallets are often damaged by heavy loads and outdoor exposure. Our on-demand and scheduled pickup services keep construction sites clean and compliant with waste management regulations.
Healthcare & Pharmaceutical
Healthcare facilities handle pallets that may have been exposed to medical supplies and packaging. We follow strict handling procedures for healthcare-origin pallets and provide documentation of proper processing for regulatory compliance purposes.
Automotive & Industrial
Heavy-duty pallets used in automotive parts shipping take significant wear. When these sturdy pallets finally reach end of life, their dense hardwood material is particularly valuable for mulch and biomass applications. We pay competitive rates for heavy-duty recycling lots.
What You Get with Our Recycling Program
Free Pickup for Qualifying Loads
No out-of-pocket cost for recycling. Loads of 100 or more pallets qualify for free pickup within our service area. Recurring clients enjoy free pickup at all volumes as part of their scheduled service agreement.
Compliance Documentation
Receive detailed recycling certificates that document volumes processed, products created, and environmental metrics. These reports support regulatory compliance, sustainability audits, and corporate responsibility reporting.
Dock Space Recovery
Stop letting damaged pallets consume valuable warehouse and dock space. Our regular pickups keep your facility clean, organized, and compliant with fire code pallet stacking limits. Free up space for revenue-generating activities.
Zero Landfill Commitment
With a 98% waste diversion rate, virtually nothing we process goes to landfill. When you recycle with us, you can confidently report that your pallet waste is being handled responsibly and sustainably.
Cost Savings vs. Waste Hauling
Many businesses pay waste haulers to remove pallets. Our recycling program is free or low-cost compared to traditional waste disposal fees. Switch from paying to dispose to getting paid or at minimum getting free removal.
Flexible Scheduling
We work around your operations with flexible pickup windows including early morning, evening, and weekend options. Change frequency, skip a week, or add an extra pickup as needed. Your schedule is always adjustable.
Environmental Impact Metrics
Know exactly how much good your recycling program does. We track and report tons of wood diverted, carbon emissions avoided, trees saved, and landfill space preserved for every client at every pickup.
Supporting Local Economy
Recycled pallet products are sold to local landscapers, farms, and energy companies. By recycling with us, you support a local circular economy that creates jobs and keeps material wealth in the community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Services
Recycling is one part of our complete pallet lifecycle management. Explore our full range of services.
Ready to Start Recycling?
Schedule a free recycling pickup today. Whether you have 50 pallets or 5,000, we handle the logistics, processing, and documentation so you can focus on your business.