There is a well-established network of dealers prepared to pay
cash for used pallets of standard sizes in sound condition. But
damaged, non-standard and sizes smaller than 900mm (36")
shortest dimension are of little interest. The ringshank nails
used in the construction of timber pallets make them difficult to 'knock down' for salvage, although
reuse of the wood is possible to make small items such as bird boxes or
planters. It may be considered worthwhile to use the wood as
fuel in a suitable environment.
RE-USE TIP:
For companies affected by the Packaging Waste Regulations, the
weight of new pallets used must be added to the amounts of
packaging handled each year. The weight of pallets varies with
the type, but the numbers in a tonne range from 25 to 40 with
most around the 30 to a tonne mark. This means that the use of
relatively few new pallets - 30 or so a week - may result in a
company obligated under the Regulations. Consistent with the use
to which they will be put, consider purchasing good quality
second-hand pallets, which incur no obligation, and making clear
to your suppliers that you would prefer they used them too.
Also see
Wood burning (14)
Recycling collections (private)(150)
Conversion to energy (190)
Legal aspects of waste (Packaging
Waste Regulations) (500)
Alphabetical list of organisations
ADY Pallets and Bags Ltd
Tel 01925 828885 Fax 01925 492706
Unit 5A, Trident Industrial Estate, Warrington Road, Risley, WARRINGTON, Cheshire
WA1 4AG
Pallet merchant. Also receives secondhand one tonne bulk bags from the food industry, which are reused in the recycled metal and plastics industry.
Brighton & Hove Wood Recycling Project
Tel 01273 570500 Fax 01273 570600
4 Inverness Road, BRIGHTON,
East Sussex BN2 3JB (postal address only)
Unit
32-36, Municipal Market, Circus Street, BRIGHTON, East Sussex BN2 9QF (site address only)
Email info@woodrecycling.org.uk
Web www.woodrecycling.org.uk
Contact Richie Simpson, Managing Director; Christian Bernard - Director
Originator of National Community Wood Recycling Project ( see entry below) set up by Richard
Mehmed, and developer
of the Recycled Wood
Marque.
About 6,000 tonnes of wood a year is landfilled from the Brighton and Hove area alone.
Much is worth saving - the Woodstore is filled with tonnes of reusable timber,
most from the construction / demolition industry. There is also wooden packaging waste and
many non-returnable pallets. (see section 52). Much household wood ends up at the local tip, or stays in garages and sheds for years.
As most "waste" timber is commercial, a charge can be made to take it away - at
less than the cost of a skip, so there is a financial and environmental incentive to recycle.
Sponsored by 3 environmentally aware local building companies, a small truck was
bought to collect from their building sites. Timber was separated and
stacked for collection. The loads are sorted and as much as possible
re-used, for instance as floorboards, skirting, shelves and craft materials.
Only 15% of the timber collected is returned to the waste stream. Also collects from firms with packaging waste and pallets, and members of the public.
A classification system was developed with the following grades:
Grade 1 Timber good enough to sell back to the DIY / builders market.
Altough virtually anything will be useful to someone, grade 1 is wood at least 2 metres
long, relatively sound, free from bad splits, nails and other contaminants.
Also sheet materials including ply, chipboard, hardboard and MDF over 1 metre square; doors in good
condition; pieces of hardwood and anything "interesting". Al though the wood might look dirty, it is
suitable for many uses.
Grade 2
Clean and sound, but too short or small to be easily sold for DIY.
Suitable to make wood products, from compost bins, bookshelves, art &craft items to high quality furniture. Making and selling such items is a good way
to raise cash and to get across the potential for using recycled wood. The
Recycled Wood Marque helps too, making it easier to identify recycled wood products.
Grade 3
Around 80% of all wood waste, this grade is the biggest challenge - rotten fence posts, small offcuts, broken doors and everything that doesn't fit into the other two grades.
Much firewood is sold to local farmers with wood-fired boilers heating greenhouses; lots
is re-manufactured into chipboard. A reasonably sustainable use for the large volume of this grade is as a fuel;
one aim is to encourage installation of wood-fired heating / hot water systems in
suitable buildings. With the need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, wood could
be widely used. (Updated Nov 2005)
County Mulch
Tel 01449 721729 Fax 01449 722477
Email sales@countymulch,co.uk
Website www.countymulch.co.uk
The Watering Farm, Creeting St Mary, Needham Market, IPSWICH, Suffolk IP6 8ND
Accepts pallets, crates, timber and manufacturing off-cuts, flooring, plywood, chipboard, other woods. Does not accept telegraph poles, railway sleepers, painted or treated wood, cable drums. Recycles this material into animal bedding, and bark-based playground, riding arenas and path surfacing. Contract with Suffolk County Council collecting green waste, which is turned into horticultural mulches and compost marketed locally and throughout UK. Website has useful, simple tips on home composting. Recycled Specifiers Guide to recycled soil conditioners and mulches on request. Established 1986. (Updated Feb 2005)
Direct Pallets
Tel 01582 476290 Fax 01582 477625
BP Fuel Site, Tavistock Street, DUNSTABLE, Beds LU6 1NE
New and used pallet merchant.
EQ Waste Management
Tel 0870 560 2060 / 0990 602060 Fax 01727 867866
Email sales@eqwaste.com Website www.eqwaste.com
(under construction)
Appspond Lane, Potters Crouch, St Albans, HERTS AL2 3NL
Collector and recycler of waste wood such as cable drums, pallets, crates, timber and manufacturing off-cuts, flooring, furniture, construction waste. No telegraph poles, railway sleepers, painted or treated wood. Also collects green waste, which is shredded as compost and mulch. Produces animal bedding, recreational surfacing. Bioremediation solutions and contracting. Services local authority sites. Contract screening and grinding. (Updated Feb 2005)
Hambrook Pallets Ltd
Tel 0117 982 1236 Fax 0117 982 2252
Ironchurch Road, Avonmouth, BRISTOL BS11 9EB
Depots throughout south east region. Sale, purchase and reconditioning of pallets and packing cases, including obsolete sizes.
Janbor Ltd
Tel 01279 777666 Fax 01279 777736
Barleycroft Works, Furneux Pelham, BUNTINGFORD, Herts SG9 0LL
Collects pallets by arrangement within 150 mile radius - skips supplied. Also cable drums, crates, timber off-cuts, flooring, plywood, chipboard, furniture, construction waste, tree waste (not telegraph poles, railway sleepers). produces animal bedding, recreational surfacing, mulches. Open Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 7am-midday. (Updated Feb 2005)
J James Ltd
Tel 01235 814565 Fax 01235 814706
Website www.jjamesltd.co.uk Email
jill.james@tiscali.co.uk
12 Tweed Drive, DIDCOT, Oxfordshire OX11 7XH
Collects pallets and timber off-cuts (not telegraph poles, railway sleepers, painted or treated wood, cable drums). Reconditions pallets. Produces animal bedding, recreational surfacing, mulches, compost. Open Mon-Fri 8am-4pm. Established over 25 years. (Updated Feb 2005)
JS Pallets
Tel 0208 893 1066
North Bedfont Trading Estate, Bedfont Road, FELTHAM, Middx TW13
Sale and purchase of used pallets.
KB Pallets & Haulage
Tel 01767 640988
Unit 2, The Ridgway Business Park, Blunham, BEDFORD MK44 3DE
New and used pallet dealer.
Larner Recycling Ltd
Tel 01933 274 224 / 0208 804 1494 Fax 0208 804 1164
Email admin@larnerpallets.com Website www.larnerpallets.com
Bevan Close, Finedon Industrial Estate, WELLINGBOROUGH, Northants NN8 4BL
Buys and sells new and secondhand pallets. Pays up to £2.50 per pallet, and sells new and refurbished pallets from £1.00. Types shown and described on website. Quantities from 50 to 500. Collects pallets, crates, timber off-cuts, flooring, plywood, cable drums. Recycles packaging waste with on-site shredders. When it a pallet is past refurbishing, the wood is made into kindling, wood moult and pulp, used by local authorities in parks, schools and playgrounds. Produces animal bedding, recreational surfacing and compost. Open weekdays 7am-5pm, Sat 7am-1pm. Second depot in Enfield - both sites have tips for waste wood. (Updated Feb 2005)
LBS
Tel 01787 462461
29 Swan Street, Sible Hedingham, HALSTEAD, Essex CO9 3RE
Tea chest dealer.
Lewis D & Co
Tel 0208 805 0178 / 0208 804 1494
Lewis Works, Jute Lane, ENFIELD, Middx EN3 7PJ
Sale and purchase of wooden pallets.
London Recycling Ltd
Tel 0207 511 8000 Fax 0207 511 3785
Unit 4D, North Crescent, Cody Road, Canning Town, LONDON E16 4TG
Website www.london-recycling.com
Email recycle@london.recycling.co.uk
Confidential data destruction - paper and non-paper products, cardboard (flattened - cages or wheelie bins provided). Security sacks, bins, containers provided. Collection and purchase of drink cans, glass, foil, segregated grades of waste paper, toner cartridges for remanufacture (minimum 10), fluorescent tubes, vending cups, CDs, pallets. Collection mainly within M25 area. (Updated Aug 2005)
Lutt A M & Sons
Tel 01582 666321 Kensworth / 01442 833343 Hemel Hempstead Fax
01442 834419
"The Yard", Shantock Hall Lane, BOVINGDON, Herts HP3
0NL
Pallet recycling and suppliers. Local and national.
Marshall Tree Services Partnership
Tel / Fax 01480 810431
Woodhatch Farm, Thrapston Road, Ellington, HUNTINGDON, Cambs PE28 0AE
Collects pallets, crates, timber off-cuts, flooring, plywood, furniture, construction waste (not telegraph poles, railway sleepers, painted or treated wood), 25 mile radius. Produces animal bedding, recreational surfacing, mulches, compost. Open Mon-Sat 8am-4pm, Sun 1230-4.30. (Updated Feb 2005)
Milton Keynes Pallets
Tel 01908 610809
Willen Works, Willen Road, NEWPORT PAGNELL MK16 0DG
New and used pallet merchant.
Motward Ltd
Tel 01767 691261
Warren Farm, New Road, SANDY, Beds SG19 1NX
New and used pallet merchant.
The National Community Wood Recycling Project (NCWRP)
Tel 01273 465666 Fax 01273
465616
Email info@communitywoodrecycling.org.uk
Website www.communitywoodrecycling.org.uk
Premier House, Shoreham Airport, West Sussex BN43 5FF
Contact Melaine Hickford, Communications Manager; Richard Mehmed, Project Director
Not-for-profit environmental group set up in February 2003 (at
Brighton & Hove Wood Recycling Project - see above) to provide
encouragement, help and practical advice to individuals or groups interested in setting up and
developing community - focused wood recycling. Helps and monitors a
network of wood recycling projects across UK dealing in waste timber from
construction and other users. Wood is collected mainly from building site
demolition, joinery, packaging and domestic waste, sorted into grades, then sold
to the public via 'wood shops' or converted into wood products, firewood,
woodchips for fuel, mulches or animal bedding. Aims to see 20 more UK wood recycling projects
(typically not-for-profit social enterprises) set up by 2007,
saving thousands of tonnes of wood from landfill, creating sustainable
jobs, training and volunteering opportunities, and aiding local waste
minimisation strategies. To encourage use of recycled timber, has
developed the "Recycled Wood Marque", making it easier to identify
recycled wood products. They hope it will be adopted nationally and
internationally. People choosing products with the marque will
encourage use of recycled materials. More info on website. (Updated
Nov 2005)
Network Pallet Services
Tel 0208 801 1500
Half Wharf, Ferry Lane, Tottenham, LONDON N17 0AA
Sale, purchase and repair of all types of pallet.
Pallet Display Systems Ltd
Tel 01494 448380 Fax 01494 462725
Email sales@palletlegs.com
Website www.palletlegs.com
PO Box 311, MARLOW, Bucks SL7 3DZ
Offers a range of products which allow pallets which might otherwise be wasted to be reused or recycled for new uses such as benches and displays. (Updated Feb 2001)
The Pallet Man see TPM Services
Pallet Supply Co Ltd
Tel 01525 280414 Ridgmont / 01582 794331 Redbourn
Bridge House, High Street, REDBOURN, Herts AL3 7LJ
New and used pallet dealer. Also at Station Yard, Ridgmont, Milton Keynes.
Pallets Unlimited
Tel 01279 466278
30 Bells Hill, BISHOPS STORTFORD, Herts CM23 2NN
New and used pallet dealer, including non-standard sizes.
Pollay Pallets
Tel 01582 490048 Fax 01582 592062
116-124 Wingate Road, LUTON, Beds LU4 8PY
New and used pallet and packing case dealer. Sale, purchase and reconditioning of plastic and wooden pallets and packing cases.
PR Pallets
Tel 01992 762714
Bryanstone Road, WALTHAM CROSS, Herts EN8 7RL
Sale and purchase of all types of pallet.
PRS Pallets
Tel 0208 594 7010
Unit 3, Pacific Wharf, Hertford Road, BARKING, Essex IG11 8BL
Sale, purchase and reconditioning of all types of pallet and metal stillages.
PRS Pallets Ltd
Tel 01621 819628
Tower Yard, Kelvedon Road, Tiptree, COLCHESTER, Essex CO5 0LX
Dealer in new and used pallets and stillages. Europallet specialist.
R & F Pallets
Tel 01727 822617
Unit 4, Smallford Works, Smallford Lane, Smallford, ST ALBANS,
Herts AL4 0SF
Pallet merchant. Sale and purchase of used pallets.
Rainham Waste Ltd
Tel 01708 522575 Fax 01708 524631
Compound D, Denver Site, Ferry Lane, RAINHAM, Essex RM13 9BU
All types of waste wood from construction, demolition, packing cases, scrap pallets etc sought for recycling. Collection service for large quantities. 24 hour waste recycling depot with MRF and bailing facilities
Robinsons Pallet Services
Tel 0208 961 6830 / 0208 991 0992
8 Marsh Road, Alperton Lane, WEMBLEY, Middx HA0 1ES
Sale and purchase of all types of pallet.
Silvertown Pallets Ltd
Tel 0207 473 1205 Fax 01268 418668
Unit 4, Charles Street, North, Woolwich, LONDON E16 2BY
Sale, purchase and reconditioning of all types of pallet, steel and plastic drums.
Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation
Tel 01827 52337 Fax 01827 310827
42 Heath Street, TAMWORTH, Staffs B79 7JH
Trade association concerned with environmental timber pallets, packaging and matters in the industry.
TPM
Services
Tel
/ Fax 01293 413084 Mobile (24 hours) 07836 795835
Email enquiries@thepalletmanservices.com
Website www.thepalletmanservices.com
39
Downland Drive, Southgate West, CRAWLEY, West Sussex RH11 8QZ
Contact Simon Hibberd, Managing
Director
Registered waste carrier and recycler, commercial and domestic,
in Crawley and surrounding areas. Fleet
of drop sided vehicles for any type of waste removal and recycling, 'no job
too small or big.' Claims
to have 'in 4 months saved over 45
tonnes of wood packaging from landfill, equal to 3000 office desks'. Aims
to be cheaper than other services, and offer friendly, helpful advice. Industrial services
include 'special' or 'hazardous' waste, and arrangements with the Environment
Agency. Commercial customers are
asked to separate waste by type (metal, wood, plastic etc).
Commercial
and domestic fridges and freezers incur an extra charge due to the expense of
safe disposal of CFCs. TPM always has broken pallets and pallet wood that can be used for fencing, woodworking projects and kindling. Most pallets are made from softwoods, but some are made from hardwoods, even mahogany!
Runs
Crawley Waste Exchange (domestic and industrial), a non-profit making scheme allowing barter/exchange/sale/donation of
anyone's unwanted items including
vacuum cleaners, dump
trucks, cars, horse boxes, wood mulch, ladders and even bicycle sheds, http://groups.msn.com/CRAWLEYWASTEEXCHANGE/homepage,
mailto:wastexchange@aol.com Tel
/ Fax as above - see WasteBook section 120 Materials (waste) exchanges. Aims to
'show
the real worth of things some call scrap!'
TPM is on Crawley Borough Council's
Environmental Forum, which encourages residents and industry to live and work in more
environmentally sustainable ways. Links on website to this and many other initiatives.
Hopes to offer a wood waste shredding facility local to Crawley/Gatwick.
Won Crawley Green Business Award 2002 for waste disposal service with emphasis
on recycling. See also sections 23, 40, 50, 120, 180.
(Updated Sep 2005)
UK Industrial Pallets Ltd
Tel 01707 270440 Fax 01707 270856
13 Southgate Road, POTTERS BAR, Hertfordshire EN6 5DR
Sale and purchase of new and reconditioned pallets. Nationwide delivery. Scrap pallets collected and cleared from site free of charge. (Updated Feb 2001)
Whirlowdale Trading Co Ltd
Tel 01708 866962
The Sawmills, New Road, Wennington, RAINHAM, Essex
Sale, purchase and reconditioning of pallets, packing cases, drums and stillages.