Geoff Ellis’s guide to the wonderful world of pallet fencing, furniture and firewood.
Above: the Great Wall of Pallets
Above: the Great Wall of Pallets
By Geoff Ellis
EVER wondered what happens to those stacks of pallets outside Bunnings? A fair few of them have ended up at my place. There’s almost nothing you can’t do with a pallet. I use pallets for fencing, firewood and furniture.
Along the way, I’ve picked up a fair bit of experience, most of it the hard way. I thought it was time to share what I’ve learned.
EVER wondered what happens to those stacks of pallets outside Bunnings? A fair few of them have ended up at my place. There’s almost nothing you can’t do with a pallet. I use pallets for fencing, firewood and furniture.
Along the way, I’ve picked up a fair bit of experience, most of it the hard way. I thought it was time to share what I’ve learned.
- Don't use CHEP pallets. They are bloody heavy and they are 'returnable' – ie. Mr Chep (a giant logistics company) owns them and there is a deposit owing on them.
- Don't get ideas about making a fortune by collecting the deposit when you return abandoned CHEP pallets to the depot. You need to have an account with CHEP or they will ask you "Where did you steal these from?" as they note your rego and intimidate you with a forklift.
- Ditto LOSCAM. Same story but the pallets are lighter and are a nice reddish colour.
- So only use non-returnables - these are pallets that have come from distant parts and aren't going back as it is uneconomic to send truckloads of pallets back to the warehouse or across the seas.
- If you need to prise them apart, leave them out in the rain so the wood loosens its grip on the nails.
- Watch out for the nails. And wear your safety glasses.
Can I burn that pallet?
No. And yes!
Don’t burn a pallet that has been painted, treated or contaminated with chemicals, even in a closed wood heater.
Pallets that are stamped with ‘MB’ (Methyl Bromide) are to be avoided at all costs – even for building or craftwork, let alone incineration.
You can burn pallet wood safely as long as it is the remains of Australian made pallets. If in doubt, leave it out.
Best practice is to mix up pallet wood and tree wood – the pallets are kiln dried and burn at a very high temperature and that will cause long term problems if pallets are the sole source of combustion. And watch out for the nails!
No. And yes!
Don’t burn a pallet that has been painted, treated or contaminated with chemicals, even in a closed wood heater.
Pallets that are stamped with ‘MB’ (Methyl Bromide) are to be avoided at all costs – even for building or craftwork, let alone incineration.
You can burn pallet wood safely as long as it is the remains of Australian made pallets. If in doubt, leave it out.
Best practice is to mix up pallet wood and tree wood – the pallets are kiln dried and burn at a very high temperature and that will cause long term problems if pallets are the sole source of combustion. And watch out for the nails!