Which Recycled Pallet Would You Trust With Your Freight?
Can you spot the Grade A pallet in the photo?
If you picked the one on the right, you’re right. If you picked the one on the left, you’re also right.
Wait… how can two pallets that look totally different both be “A’s”?
Because in the pallet world, performance is the only metric that matters. One pallet might have that fresh-from-the-mill look. The other might be weathered and grey. But if the bones are solid, they both get the grade.
Stop focusing on the surface. Start looking at these five things instead:
The “Bones” Over the Surface
Recycled pallets are industrial tools, not showroom pieces. You’re looking for a structure that can hold serious freight without shifting.
The red flag: Racking (when the pallet leans or isn’t square).
The reality: If it isn’t structurally aligned, it won’t sit right in your racks.
The rule: A pallet can look weathered, but it can’t be unstable.
Nails: The “Glue” of Your Shipment
If a pallet fails early, it’s usually because of the hardware. Loose nails are a ticking time bomb for your freight.
- Nails driven flush (flat) into the wood
- No sharp edges or backing-out nails
A stray nail doesn’t just hurt the pallet. It rips packaging, damages product, and creates handling problems once equipment gets involved.
Board Condition (The Heavy Lifting)
Surface-level wear is expected with recycled pallets. Structural rot is a dealbreaker.
- Soft wood? Reject it.
- Cracked all the way through? Reject it.
- Surface splits? Totally fine.
Pro tip: Repairs should be made with comparable-quality wood. Integrity is everything.
Grades: Consistency > Luck
This is where most people get tripped up.
- Grade B: Often includes repaired stringers (plugs). More variability.
- Grade A: No repaired stringers. More predictable. Better for automation.
The difference isn’t the look — it’s predictability. Know which grade your system needs before you buy.
Your Supplier Is Your Last Line of Defense
Recycled pallets aren’t identical. They never will be. But your supplier’s inspection process should be.
If broken boards and loose nails aren’t being caught at their facility, your team will be catching them at yours. That’s a massive waste of time and labor.
The Bottom Line
Buying recycled pallets shouldn’t be a gamble.
Appearance matters — but it’s not the deciding factor. What really matters is whether pallets are inspected, graded consistently, and suited for how you actually use them.
If you know what to look for, and you work with suppliers who inspect pallets before they ship, you can avoid most preventable issues.
At Pallet Pro, we handle the heavy lifting of inspection so you don’t have to. We ensure your pallet supply is graded to your specific operational needs, trip after trip.
