Re-purposing used pallets in Phoenix is a fun and inexpensive way to make something useful and have a fun hobby. It’s a great opportunity for you to show your kids how to work with wood and do some basic projects around the house using used pallets, and it’s easy to find pallets right here in Phoenix.
Used Pallets – Safety First
Pallets get used for transporting just about everything and they are exposed to all sorts of weather conditions. If they have been used for transporting dangerous chemicals they aren’t ideal for projects that will hold food or come in direct contact with skin. Even brand new pallets can be coated with chemicals to extend their durability and life. Pallets are a lot of fun to build things from, and it’s our goal to make sure that you can safely enjoy this hobby.
Some of the pallets you could have been exposed to one or more of the following:
- Exposure to chemicals or toxins
- Exposure to toxic bacteria from animals or foods.
- They can also be fumigated with insecticides to prevent insect infestations.
Choosing safe pallets for your pallet project in Phoenix
You want to have a fun weekend, and you are looking for some pallets for a woodworking project for the kids. Here’s what to watch for when choosing pallets for your family or weekend project.
- Used Pallet Red Flag#1 – Any type of spill mark. There’s no reliable way to know what exactly was spilled, so just avoid it. When you’re sawing into wood, especially with electric saws, you’re creating a lot of sawdust. Safe builders wear masks while using sanders and saws. But it’s just easier to avoid potentially hazardous chemicals
- Used Pallet Red Flag #2 – Be on the lookout for stamped codes. Some codes denote something good, that the wood has been treated with a process that is beneficial. IPPC is a common stamp you’ll find and it means that it’s approved for international shipping. They require 1 of 2 methods to be applied to raw wood to be approved as a IPPC pallet. One stamp you’ll find is HT (heat treatment). This simply means that the pallet has been heated to 132.8 °F for at least 30 minutes. The second way they allow will be found with the stamp MB (methyl bromide). This is a chemical that was banned for pallets in 2010, but you still might find one sitting around in a warehouse somewhere. If you see one that says DB it simply means it was debarked under the IPPC regulations.
- Used Pallet Red Flag #3 – Colored or pre-painted pallets. If you find some blue pallets they might have been used by the pool chemical industry and might still contain some of those chemicals. Better safe than sorry.
New Pallets for Your Project
If it’s something that’s going to be a gift, something that’s going to hold food or come in regular contact with skin(like a bench); buying a new pallet can be the best solution. You still get that rustic feel and look. Just still be aware of the HT and MB treatment codes as you are going to want the HT label stamp.
Whether you’re looking for used or new pallets for your next weekender project AAA Pallets has you covered. Call us at 602-278-1450 for more information.
