Empty pallets take up space. Whether they are stacked against a warehouse wall in Kent, piled in a loading dock in Auburn, or filling a corner of a retail stockroom in Seattle, used and surplus pallets become a problem fast. They create fire hazards, block access routes, and tie up square footage that could be put to better use. If you are searching "pallet pickup near me," you need someone to come get them — not instructions on how to load a truck and drive them somewhere yourself.
A-1 Pallets Inc. has been picking up used and surplus pallets from Pacific Northwest businesses for over 22 years. From our facility at 404 3rd Ave S in Kent, WA, we serve businesses across Kent, Renton, Auburn, Seattle, Tacoma, and the surrounding region. This guide explains how pallet pickup works, what types of pallets we take, and how to schedule a removal that clears your yard without the hauling.
How Pallet Pickup Works
Pallet pickup is straightforward: you tell us what you have, we come get it. Here is what the process looks like from start to finish.
1. Assess What You Have
Count your pallets and note their type and condition. The most common categories are:
- Standard GMA 48x40 wood pallets — the industry standard, used across North American supply chains. These are the pallets most businesses have in bulk.
- Odd-size wood pallets — non-standard dimensions, often custom-built for specific products or shipments.
- Broken or damaged pallets — pallets with cracked boards, broken stringers, or missing blocks that are no longer safe to use.
You do not need to sort them perfectly. When you call, we will ask a few questions to understand your inventory and give you a clear plan.
2. Call to Schedule
Pickups are scheduled by phone. Call A-1 Pallets at (253) 395-3119. Tell us:
- How many pallets you have
- What type and condition they are in
- Your business name and address
- Any access constraints (loading dock, street-level, gated facility)
We will confirm whether your pallets qualify for our buyback program — meaning we pay you for them — or whether they need to be hauled away for recycling. For businesses with recurring pallet waste, we can set up regular pickup schedules so the pile never builds up again.
3. We Come to You
Our truck arrives at the scheduled time. We load the pallets, clear your space, and handle the rest. Repaired pallets re-enter the supply chain. Unrepairable pallets are ground into wood mulch or biomass fuel. Nothing goes to a landfill.
What Pallets We Pick Up
A-1 Pallets accepts a wide range of wood pallets for pickup:
Standard GMA 48x40 Pallets — These are the bread and butter of pallet recycling. Grade A (#1) pallets in good condition often qualify for buyback at market rate. Grade B (#2) pallets with repaired stringers may also qualify at a reduced rate. Even broken 48x40s have value — the wood is recoverable for repair or grinding.
Odd-Size and Custom Pallets — Non-standard sizes are common in industries that ship specialized products. We pick these up and assess whether they can be repaired for reuse or need to be broken down for material recovery.
Broken and Damaged Pallets — Do not assume broken pallets are worthless. A pallet with a cracked board may be repairable by replacing the board with salvaged lumber. Pallets that cannot be repaired are still valuable as raw material — the wood becomes mulch, animal bedding, or biomass fuel.
Pallet Pickup vs. Drop-Off: Which Makes Sense?
Some businesses ask whether they should bring pallets to us instead of scheduling a pickup. The answer depends on volume and logistics.
Pickup makes sense when:
- You have 50 or more pallets piled up
- You do not have a truck or the labor to load and transport them
- You need the space cleared quickly
- You have ongoing pallet waste that accumulates faster than you can manage
Drop-off makes sense when:
- You have a small number of pallets (under 20-30)
- You already have a truck and are making a trip near our Kent facility
- You want to see our operation and talk in person
For more on the drop-off option, see our guide on where to drop off pallets near you. For most businesses with accumulated pallet inventory, pickup is the simpler, faster choice.
Why Pallet Pickup Matters for Pacific Northwest Businesses
The Pacific Northwest generates enormous pallet volume. Port traffic through Seattle and Tacoma, distribution centers along the I-5 and SR-167 corridors, and the region's manufacturing base all rely on palletized freight. That means businesses across the region accumulate pallets faster than they use them.
Pallet pickup solves three problems at once:
-
Space recovery — Every pallet sitting in your facility is square footage you are paying for but cannot use. Pickup frees that space for operations, inventory, or revenue-generating activity.
-
Liability and safety — Stacked pallets are a fire hazard and a trip hazard. OSHA and fire code require clear access routes. A pallet pickup keeps your facility compliant.
-
Sustainability — Every pallet we pick up is either repaired and returned to service or broken down into usable material. Nothing goes to a landfill. This supports your company's sustainability goals and keeps wood waste out of the regional waste stream.
A-1 Pallets has been operating from the Kent Valley for over two decades. Our pallet recycling process is one of the most established in the Pacific Northwest. To learn more about our company history and commitment to sustainable pallet management, visit our about page.
Schedule Your Pallet Pickup
If you have pallets taking up space, the fastest way to clear them is a phone call. Contact A-1 Pallets at (253) 395-3119 or request a quote. Tell us what you have, where it is, and when you need it gone. We will handle the rest — loading, hauling, recycling, and if your pallets qualify, payment through our buyback program.
For businesses with ongoing pallet needs, we also offer core pallet operations including new pallet supply, custom pallet manufacturing, and vendor-managed inventory programs. One call covers pickup, supply, and everything in between.