Zero-Waste Approach
Pallet Recycling
98% landfill diversion rate. Every component is recycled or repurposed — nothing goes to waste.
Responsible End-of-Life Management
Every year in the United States, approximately 400 million pallets are discarded — sent to landfills where they take up valuable space and release greenhouse gases as they decompose. At Sacramento Pallet Co., we believe none of that waste is necessary.
When a pallet can no longer be repaired or reused, it doesn't belong in a landfill. Our recycling program ensures every component finds a second life in a new form — from salvaged lumber to mulch to metal recovery.
Reusable lumber is salvaged for pallet repair. Wood that can't be reused is chipped into mulch, landscaping material, animal bedding, or biomass fuel. Metal fasteners are collected and sent to metal recyclers. Even sawdust is captured and repurposed for agricultural and industrial applications.
Our state-of-the-art processing facility handles thousands of pallets daily, sorting materials with precision to maximize recovery rates. We've invested in automated dismantling equipment that cleanly separates wood from metal, ensuring the highest quality recycled output.
What Happens to Your Pallets
Good Lumber
Salvaged for pallet repair and remanufacturing
Damaged Wood
Mulch, landscaping, animal bedding, biomass fuel
Metal Fasteners
Collected and sent to certified metal recycling
Other Materials
Specialized recycling streams for full diversion
Our Recycling Process
A systematic, six-step approach that ensures maximum material recovery and zero waste to landfill.
Collection & Pickup
We collect pallets from your location using our own fleet. Free pickup is available for volumes of 100+ pallets. We handle all logistics so you don't have to.
Sorting & Inspection
Every pallet is individually inspected. Repairable pallets are routed to our repair facility. End-of-life pallets proceed to dismantling. Nothing is overlooked.
Dismantling
Pallets are carefully dismantled using automated and manual methods. Reusable boards and stringers are separated from damaged components. Nails and fasteners are removed cleanly.
Material Separation
Wood is sorted by species, size, and condition. Metal fasteners are collected separately. Any non-wood materials (plastic straps, labels) are routed to appropriate recycling streams.
Processing
Reusable lumber enters our repair inventory. Damaged wood is fed through industrial grinders to produce mulch, chips, and sawdust. Metal goes to certified scrap recyclers.
Distribution
Recycled products are distributed: lumber to pallet repair, mulch to landscapers, biomass to energy facilities, and metal to smelters. Full circle, zero waste.
Environmental Impact
Every pallet we recycle makes a measurable difference. Here's what our program achieves annually.
50,000+
Pallets Recycled Annually
Diverted from landfills each year
98%
Landfill Diversion Rate
Nearly zero waste to landfill
1,200+
Tons of CO2 Avoided
Equivalent to planting 20,000 trees
3,500+
Trees Saved Per Year
By reusing salvaged lumber
Bulk Recycling Program
For businesses generating large volumes of end-of-life pallets, we offer a structured bulk recycling program with dedicated pickup schedules, priority processing, and comprehensive sustainability reporting.
Program participants receive quarterly environmental impact reports documenting the number of pallets recycled, estimated CO2 savings, landfill diversion metrics, and trees saved — data you can use in your own ESG and sustainability reporting.
Recycled Products We Create
Landscape Mulch
Premium ground wood mulch used in commercial and residential landscaping projects throughout the Sacramento region.
Animal Bedding
Clean, kiln-dried wood shavings suitable for equine, poultry, and livestock bedding applications.
Biomass Fuel
Wood chips processed to specification for industrial boilers and biomass energy generation facilities.
Pallet Repair Stock
Salvaged boards and stringers graded for reuse in pallet repair and remanufacturing operations.
Recycled Metal
Steel and aluminum fasteners collected, sorted, and sent to certified metal recycling partners.
What We Accept for Recycling
We recycle all types of wood pallets and wood packaging materials regardless of size, condition, or construction type.
Where Every Piece Goes
Material Destination Breakdown
When we say “nothing goes to waste,” we mean it. Here's exactly where every component of a recycled pallet ends up.
45%
Refurbished Lumber
Boards and stringers in good condition are salvaged, sorted by size and species, and returned to our pallet repair inventory. This lumber is used to replace damaged components on repairable pallets, giving it a direct second life.
25%
Mulch & Landscaping
Wood that can't be reused in pallets is ground into premium mulch and landscaping material. Our mulch is used by commercial landscapers, municipal parks departments, and residential customers throughout the Sacramento region.
15%
Biomass Fuel
Wood chips processed to specification for industrial boilers and biomass energy generation. This renewable fuel source displaces fossil fuels and keeps wood waste out of landfills. Our biomass partners generate clean energy for thousands of homes.
10%
Animal Bedding
Clean, kiln-dried wood shavings are produced for equine, poultry, and livestock bedding applications. Our shavings are free of chemicals and contaminants, making them safe and comfortable for animal use across Central Valley farms.
5%
Metal Recovery
Steel and aluminum nails, screws, and fasteners are magnetically separated during processing, collected in bulk, and sent to certified metal recycling partners. Even the smallest metal components are recovered and returned to the supply chain.
Certified & Compliant
Environmental Certifications
Our recycling operations meet or exceed all applicable federal, state, and industry environmental standards.
EPA Compliance
Our facility operates in full compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations for wood waste processing, air quality, and material handling. We maintain detailed records of all material inputs and outputs to demonstrate compliance during regulatory audits. Our air filtration systems meet all particulate emission standards, and our stormwater management prevents wood waste runoff.
State Recycling Certifications
Sacramento Pallet Co. holds all required California state permits and certifications for commercial recycling operations. We are registered with CalRecycle and comply with all California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery regulations. Our facility meets Cal/OSHA safety standards for industrial wood processing.
Zero-Waste Commitment
Our commitment to zero waste goes beyond regulatory requirements. We've built our entire operation around the principle that every material has value and every component deserves a second life. Our 98% landfill diversion rate demonstrates this commitment, and we're actively working toward 99% diversion through continuous process improvement.
Case Study
Closed-Loop Recycling in Action
A major Sacramento-area distribution company was spending over $200,000 per year on new pallets while simultaneously paying a waste hauler to remove their damaged and end-of-life pallets. They were buying new and throwing away old — with no connection between the two processes.
We proposed a closed-loop pallet program: instead of discarding damaged pallets, they would send them to us. We would repair every pallet that could be economically restored, recycle the rest into usable byproducts, and return repaired pallets back into their supply chain.
The results were dramatic. Within the first year, the company reduced its new pallet purchases by 60%, eliminated waste hauling costs entirely, and cut total pallet expenditure by 45%. The program also diverted over 15,000 pallets from landfills, providing measurable data for the company's annual sustainability report.
Program Results (Year 1)
How It Works
Step 1: We pick up damaged and end-of-life pallets from your facility on a scheduled basis.
Step 2: Each pallet is assessed — repairable pallets enter our repair line, the rest are dismantled for recycling.
Step 3: Repaired pallets are returned to your facility, ready for reuse. Recycled materials become mulch, fuel, bedding, and more.
Step 4: You receive monthly reports showing repair rates, recycling volumes, cost savings, and environmental impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a minimum quantity for pallet recycling?
No minimum quantity is required. We accept as few as 1 pallet. However, free pickup is available for volumes of 100+ pallets. Smaller quantities can be dropped off at our facility at 4290 Roseville Rd, North Highlands, CA 95660.
Do you pay for pallets you pick up for recycling?
It depends on the condition. Pallets that are still repairable or in good condition will be purchased from you at competitive prices. End-of-life pallets that can only be recycled (not repaired) are collected free of charge for qualifying volumes.
How quickly can you pick up pallets for recycling?
For standard requests, we typically schedule pickup within 2-3 business days. Bulk program clients receive priority scheduling with next-day or same-day pickup available. Emergency and rush pickups can be arranged.
Do you provide documentation for sustainability reporting?
Yes. All recycling clients receive documentation showing the quantity of pallets recycled, estimated environmental impact (CO2 avoided, trees saved, landfill diversion), and a Certificate of Recycling. Bulk program clients receive detailed quarterly reports.
Can you recycle pallets that have been contaminated?
We can recycle most contaminated pallets, depending on the type of contamination. Pallets contaminated with hazardous materials may require special handling. Contact us to discuss your specific situation and we'll advise on the best approach.
What is your landfill diversion rate?
We maintain a 98% landfill diversion rate. This means that 98% of all material (by weight) that enters our recycling stream is diverted from landfills into productive use — whether as repaired pallets, mulch, biomass fuel, or recycled metal.
Pallet Impact Calculator
See how much you save by choosing recycled pallets
6
Trees Saved
2,800kg
CO2 Reduced
2,200kg
Waste Diverted
1,500L
Water Saved
* Estimates based on industry averages for recycled vs. new pallet production
Beyond the Pallet
Where Recycled Material Ends Up
Every pallet that enters our recycling stream is transformed into something useful. Here is the full picture of where materials go after processing.
Repaired Pallets
60%The highest-value outcome. Pallets with repairable damage are restored to full service and re-enter the supply chain, serving businesses for another 3-5 years per cycle.
Landscape Mulch
15%Clean, untreated pallet wood is chipped into natural hardwood mulch used by landscaping companies, garden centers, and municipal parks departments across the Sacramento region.
Biomass Energy
10%Wood material unsuitable for mulch is processed into biomass fuel chips. These are sent to regional biomass power plants that convert them into renewable electricity for the grid.
Animal Bedding
8%Softwood shavings from pallet processing are collected and supplied to local farms and equestrian facilities as absorbent, natural animal bedding material.
Composite Products
5%Fine wood particles from our grinding operations are sold to manufacturers of particleboard, composite decking, and other engineered wood products.
Recycled Metal
2%Nails, screws, and metal bands are magnetically separated during processing and sent to metal recyclers. Even these small fasteners are diverted from waste streams.