Sometimes a facility may need to get rid of some of their warehouse pallet racks. The company may start stocking new products that require a different type of pallet or different International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) code.
Wooden pallets have a lot of potential uses, especially for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) handicrafts.
Some companies may even resell the pallets to handicraft stores or even the public to help recoup the costs of purchasing them for warehouse use.
NPPO
The National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) establishes essential standards for pallet use.
The IPPC logo provides vital information for not only shippers but also any use a DIY-er may have for the pallet.
Some countries, however, do not belong to the NPPO and pallets from these places will not have the same identification markings or, more importantly, meet the NPPO standards.
IPPC Codes
Pallets must have an IPPC logo. The logo stamp has a unique two-letter country code and number along with letters like:
HT – Heat Treatment
MB – Methyl Bromide (a fumigation chemical)
DB – debarked (a planer was used to remove the bark)
These codes help food warehouses determine if the facility can safely store foodstuffs on the pallet.
For DIYers, you should look for word that has not been treated with methyl bromide. The marking should also say “DB Only,” which means no chemicals were used after the debarking.
This way, you know the pallet is safe to use for non-industrial purposes.
Prepping
There are lots of ways to prep the wooden pallets if you are going to use them for something other than warehouse storage.
Some like the most rustic used look and don’t want to do a lot to them.
Others may want to stain or paint them, re-shaping them to fit whatever new purpose.
#1 – Shelving
This is one of the most popular uses for used pallet racks.
Ideally, you have the experience to cut the racks to an appropriate length and shape them.
Pallet rack shelving works great for displaying knick-knacks or small-framed photographs.
#2 – Pathways
Wooden pallets make great walkways. If you have a muddy yard or unsurfaced pathway leading to your home or another part of your property, you can use pallets to provide a mud-free surface when it rains.
You can cut the pallets into longer, narrower strips if necessary and store them in your garage or shed when not needed.
#3 – Indoor Furniture
Pallets make great furniture. Using a little imagination, you can use the wooden pallet as the central part of, for example, a bar stool. Stack the pallets to the right height and add some sort of leather or cloth cushion to sit on.
You could add legs, padding, and some sort of cover and turn the pallet into an ottoman.
#4 – Shoe Racks
Pallets make perfect shoe racks. Simply remove some of the slats and place it by the door as a place to put shoes.
You can also stain or paint them and use them in closets as shoe racks.
#5 – Flower Boxes
Hang a rectangular pallet outside the window or use them indoors as flower boxes.
Paint them a bright color to match an outdoor theme.
#6 – Fence
You can fence off your garden or some other area of your property by standing pallet racks end to end.
Sink one end into the ground, and you have a permanent small fence to keep rabbits out, for example, of your vegetable garden.
#7 – Sheds
Pallets are sturdy enough for use as the frame for a small building.
You probably want to use them in more temperate climates to house things impervious to the weather, however, given pallets won’t block the wind or rain.
#8 – Outdoor Benches
Pallets are very sturdy, given they often hold hundreds if not thousands of pounds of product in a warehouse.
A pallet can make a great outdoor bench. You can add some legs and either leave them as is or include cushions or some sort of topping material.
