Bob Vila Radio: Where to Get Shipping Pallets
You can always score scrap wood at the local lumber yard. But if you're pinching pennies or looking for a new challenge, why not salvage boards from the shipping pallets you can often get for free—if you know where to look, that is.
Shipping pallets have all sorts of uses for do-it-yourselfers, but versatility isn’t their only virtue. Additionally, pallets boast tough-to-beat affordability. In fact, if you know where to get pallets, it’s often possible to stock up for free.

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Listen to BOB VILA ON WHERE TO GET PALLETS or read below:
Small businesses like nurseries, hardware stores, and furniture retailers—they all commonly stack pallets out back. That’s especially true in the case of a newly opened location. Also, check the local construction sites. But of course, before removing pallets from a business address, it’s only prudent to check with an employee first.
One caution: Pallets are sometimes treated with toxic wood preservatives to deter the spread of plant diseases and insects. To ensure your pallet project doesn’t make you sick, look for the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) logo, which certifies that the pallet has been treated in a safe, non-toxic manner.
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