Upcycling Pallets

We use pallets for delivery that have been used before rather than brand new ones. There are many very good reasons for this. The delivery cost to you is kept to a minimum. It's more environmentally friendly using pallets that have been used multiple times. The pallets are non-returnable so if you have to dispose of them you know they are at the end of their life.

If they are still in good condition after delivering your order you can upcycle them. With just a few basic tools you can do your bit for the planet and gain a nice decorative or useful feature for your garden. Depending on the condition of the pallet (or pallets) and what you intend to achieve, it's possible all you would need to do is paint the timber. More complicated transformations may include sanding and cutting the wood depending on your level of expertise. Once you've finished your creation and checked for splinters and protruding nails, the converted pallets may well benefit from being painted or stained. This will make them more aesthetically pleasing and give more protection to the timber.

• Upright Planter

  

  With just one pallet against a wall a nice feature can be created. Multiple pallets could be used if you so wished. The inside of the pallet can be lined with plastic (or large black bin bags). Plants could be fixed to the front of the pallets. Climbing plants are another option and would spread across the front of the wooden pallet.

• Box Shaped Planter

  

  With 4 pallets a cube can be created and plants placed in the sides or top. A smaller version can be achieved with less pallets by cutting them down. Before filling with soil a lining should be put around the 4 sides. Large black bin bags are a cheap option and can be held in place with drawing pins. The plastic helps prevent the soil drying out by holding moisture in.

• Compost Bin

  

  If you have more than one pallet to use you could make a composting bay or bin. The design would depend on the number of pallets you have, from 2 sided to a fully enclosed box shape. Gardeners' World have a handy guide to making a compost bin.

• Dog Bed

  

  With very little customisation a spare pallet makes an ideal dog bed. Positioned somewhere outside in the shade would be perfect for your dog on hot summer days. Sand off any rough bits on the pallet and check there are no protruding nails before putting either a dog mattress, bed or cushion on top.

• Bike Rack

  

  A bike rack is a great up cycling idea for your spare pallet. You can either dismantle a pallet to make a small rack or use 2 full ones (one on the floor, one against a wall) for multiple cycles. You could even raise a pallet to 45 degrees and drop the front wheel between the lats. Just make sure the wood is sanded and there are no protruding nails to puncture the tyres.

• Raised Bed

  

  Pallets with alternate lats removed make great raised beds. They are perfect for growing vegetables and automatically allow spacing between each row. If you have more than one pallet you can lay them in a grid allowing you to walk between them. It gives a nice neat and tidy appearance to your veg plot. With a fresh mixture of soil and compost each year you will get a more vigorous growth. If you don’t fancy growing veg then why not paint the pallets and add flowering plants.

• Seating

  

  An electric sander would definitely be recommended if you converted the pallets into seating. Attention should also be paid to make sure no large splinters or nails are sticking out. After painting your new seat and sourcing some outdoor cushions you have somewhere to sit and enjoy your garden in the summer months.

• Table

  

  Multiple pallets stacked on top of each other and fixed in place can make an ideal table. Sanding and checking for splinters and stray nails sticking out is strongly advised. To finish the table a smooth edged (and cornered), shatter proofed tempered glass should be fixed to the top of the stacked pallets.

• Recycling Pallets

  

  If you don't have the necessary skills for any of the previous project ideas, or the pallets aren't in good enough condition then you probably just want to recycle the wood. If you have a vehicle large enough to transport the pallet to the nearest recycling depot that should be your first choice. Plan B would be to use a claw hammer, stone chisel, crowbar or saw to help you dismantle the pallet for disposal. Wearing protective gloves and goggles is strongly advised.