UniversalPallet Supply
Pallet Buyback Program

Turn Used Pallets Into Cash

Universal Pallet Supply buys used wooden pallets from businesses of all sizes across the United States. We provide free pickup, inspect and grade every pallet, and pay you fair market value. Stop treating pallets as waste — start treating them as a revenue stream.

Get Started Today

Tell us about your pallet needs.

US/Canada format: (555) 123-4567

Simple Process

How the Buyback Program Works

Selling your pallets takes four straightforward steps. The entire process is designed to be hassle-free for your team.

01

Request a Pickup

Contact us online or by phone. Tell us the approximate quantity, pallet sizes, and your location. We respond within one business day with a preliminary quote.

02

We Come to You

Our driver arrives at your facility on a scheduled date. No work required on your end — we load the pallets ourselves. Pickup is always free, regardless of volume.

03

Inspection & Grading

At our facility, each pallet is inspected and sorted by grade. We use a transparent grading system so you know exactly what each pallet is worth.

04

Get Paid

We process payment quickly. Most sellers receive payment within 7 business days of pickup. For recurring accounts, we offer net-15 and net-30 terms.

Outdoor pallet yard with forklifts and massive stacks of collected pallets at a logistics center

Transparent Pricing

What We Pay by Pallet Grade

Pricing varies based on pallet size, condition, volume, and your location. Below is our general grading system. Contact us for a specific quote tailored to your inventory.

Grade A

Like New

Minimal wear, no broken boards, clean appearance. Structurally sound with no repairs needed. Often single-use or lightly used pallets.

Highest payout

Grade B

Good Condition

Minor cosmetic damage, slight staining, or small repairs. All boards intact and structurally reliable. The most common grade we purchase.

Strong payout

Grade C

Economy / Fair

Visible wear, possible missing or broken boards, staining. Still usable or repairable. We accept these pallets and either repair or recycle them.

Fair payout

End-of-Life

Damaged / Broken

Beyond economical repair for reuse. We accept these for recycling into mulch, biomass fuel, and animal bedding. Free pickup provided.

Free removal

Need a specific quote? Pricing depends on volume, location, and pallet specifications. We provide exact pricing after a quick assessment of your inventory.

Request Your Custom Quote

Why Sell to Us

Benefits of the Buyback Program

Revenue From Waste

Those pallets stacked behind your warehouse are worth money. Instead of paying for disposal, get paid for what you already have.

Free Pickup Service

We handle all transportation at no cost to you. Our trucks come to your dock, load the pallets, and haul them away. Zero effort required from your team.

Eco-Friendly Disposal

Every pallet we collect is either resold, repaired, or recycled. Nothing goes to landfill. Your business can claim genuine sustainability metrics for its reporting.

Flexible Scheduling

One-time cleanout or recurring weekly pickups — we build a schedule around your operations. Change the frequency anytime without penalties.

No Minimum Quantity

Whether you have 20 pallets or 20,000, we pick them up. Small businesses and large enterprises both benefit from our buyback program.

Transparent Pricing

Our grading system is straightforward. You see exactly how your pallets are classified and what each grade pays. No surprises, no hidden deductions.

Is This Right For You?

Who Sells Pallets to Universal Pallet Supply?

Businesses across every industry accumulate pallets. Warehouses, retail stores, manufacturers, distribution centers, grocery chains, and e-commerce fulfillment operations all receive goods on pallets that stack up quickly. If pallets are taking up valuable floor space at your facility, our buyback program is for you.

We work with companies generating as few as 20 pallets per month and as many as 50,000. There is no volume too small or too large. Many of our buyback clients also purchase pallets from us, creating a circular system that maximizes value and minimizes waste.

Start Selling Today

Common Questions

Buyback Program FAQ

What types of pallets do you buy?

We buy standard wooden pallets including 48x40, 42x42, 48x48, and custom sizes in any condition from Grade A to broken.

Is there a minimum number of pallets?

No minimum. Larger volumes earn higher payouts, but we schedule pickups for small batches as well.

How much will I get paid?

Pricing depends on size, grade, condition, volume, and location. We quote before pickup and finalize after inspection.

How quickly do I get paid?

Payments are processed within 7 business days of pickup. Net-15 or net-30 terms are available for recurring accounts.

Do I need to sort pallets before pickup?

No sorting required. Stack them where our truck can reach; we handle sorting and grading at our facility.

Understanding Your Quote

What Determines Your Pallet Payout

We price every buyback order based on four key factors. Understanding these helps you estimate your payout and maximize the value of your surplus pallets.

Pallet Size & Type

Standard 48x40 GMA pallets command the highest prices due to strong market demand across warehousing, retail, and manufacturing. Non-standard sizes such as 42x42, 48x48, and 36x36 are also purchased, though pricing varies based on current regional demand. Stringer pallets, block pallets, and custom configurations are all accepted. We buy both hardwood and softwood pallets — hardwood typically commands a slight premium due to its durability and longer service life.

Condition & Grade

Pallet condition is the single largest factor in pricing. Grade A pallets in like-new condition earn the highest payout per unit. Grade B pallets with minor cosmetic wear still command strong prices. Grade C economy pallets with visible damage bring a lower rate but are still worth selling rather than discarding. Even broken, end-of-life pallets have value — we pick them up free of charge and route them to our recycling operation.

Quantity & Frequency

Volume matters. Larger single pickups and recurring accounts qualify for higher per-pallet rates because they reduce our per-unit collection cost. A one-time pickup of 50 pallets will receive a competitive rate, but a recurring weekly pickup of 500 pallets earns a premium. If your business generates consistent pallet volume, setting up a recurring buyback schedule is the fastest way to maximize your total payout over time.

Pickup Location

Geography affects transportation costs, which factors into pricing. Businesses located along the East Coast corridor — particularly in Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, and the greater Mid-Atlantic region — benefit from proximity to our main processing facility in Portsmouth, VA. We buy pallets in all 48 contiguous states, and our logistics network keeps transportation costs competitive even for distant pickups. Urban and suburban locations with easy truck access receive the best rates.

Acceptance Criteria

What Pallets We Buy

We accept nearly every type of wooden pallet. Here is a quick reference so you know what to expect when you request a pickup.

We Accept

Standard 48x40 GMA pallets (stringer and block styles)
Non-standard sizes: 42x42, 48x48, 36x36, 48x45, and custom dimensions
Hardwood pallets (oak, maple, birch)
Softwood pallets (pine, spruce, fir)
Heat-treated (HT) and ISPM-15 stamped pallets
Pallets with minor damage: cracked boards, missing boards, loose nails
Pallets with cosmetic issues: staining, discoloration, ink marks
Heavy-duty and export-grade pallets
Broken and end-of-life pallets (free removal for recycling)

We Cannot Accept

Plastic or metal pallets (wood only)
Pallets contaminated with hazardous materials or chemicals
Pallets saturated with oil, fuel, or toxic substances
Pallets visibly infested with insects or mold requiring remediation

Not Sure If We Will Accept Yours?

If you are unsure whether your pallets qualify, send us a photo or description and we will let you know within 24 hours. In most cases, even pallets in poor condition have value through our recycling program.

Ask Us About Your Pallets

Sustainability Impact

Every Pallet You Sell Helps the Planet

The EPA estimates that over 27 million tons of wood waste enter U.S. landfills annually — and a significant portion of that comes from discarded pallets. When you sell your pallets to Universal Pallet Supply instead of throwing them away, you directly contribute to reducing that waste stream.

95%
Of purchased pallets resold or repaired for reuse
5%
Recycled into mulch, bedding, and biomass fuel
0%
Of collected pallets sent to landfill
6,500+
Tons of wood diverted from waste annually via buyback

Your Sustainability Partner

Selling your pallets through our buyback program gives you documented environmental data you can use in corporate sustainability reports, ESG disclosures, and waste reduction initiatives. We provide pallet volume records, waste diversion calculations, and estimated carbon offset figures for every account.

For every 1,000 pallets diverted from the landfill, approximately 18 tons of wood waste are recovered, 12 cubic yards of landfill space are preserved, and roughly 4.5 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions are prevented. Those numbers add up quickly for businesses generating consistent pallet volume.

18 Tons
Wood waste recovered per 1,000 pallets
4.5 MT
CO2 emissions prevented per 1,000 pallets
12 yd³
Landfill space preserved per 1,000 pallets

From Request to Payment

Buyback Timeline: What to Expect

From your first contact to receiving payment, here is exactly how the process unfolds and how long each stage takes. Most sellers complete the entire cycle in under two weeks.

Day 1

Submit Your Request

Fill out our online form or call our buyback team directly. Provide an approximate pallet count, sizes, general condition, and your facility address. If you have photos, include them for a faster estimate. Our team reviews submissions in the order they are received.

Submitted anytime, 24/7
Day 1-2

Receive Preliminary Quote

Within one business day, you receive a preliminary quote based on the information you provided. This estimate covers per-pallet pricing by grade, estimated total payout, and available pickup dates. For large or complex inventories, we may schedule a brief phone call to clarify details.

Quote delivered within 24 hours
Day 3-7

Scheduled Pickup

Once you approve the quote, we schedule a pickup at a date and time that works for your operation. Our driver arrives with the appropriate equipment, loads the pallets from your dock or yard, and provides a pickup receipt documenting the count. You do not need to sort, grade, or prepare the pallets in any way.

Pickup typically within 3-5 business days of approval
Day 7-10

Inspection, Grading & Payment

At our Portsmouth, VA processing facility, each pallet is inspected and graded according to our published criteria. Final pricing is confirmed based on actual condition and count. Payment is processed and sent within seven business days of pickup. Recurring accounts with established terms receive payment on their agreed billing cycle.

Payment within 7 business days of pickup

Ideal Customers

Who Benefits Most from Buyback

Our buyback program works for businesses of every size, but certain operations see the largest financial impact. If your business matches any of these profiles, you are leaving money on the table without a buyback program.

Distribution Centers

High-volume facilities that receive goods on pallets daily and accumulate hundreds of empties per week. Buyback turns a storage headache into a consistent revenue stream — many DCs earn $2,000 to $8,000 per month from pallets that were previously costing money to haul away.

500 - 5,000+ pallets/month

Manufacturing Plants

Factories receiving raw materials on pallets generate steady surplus. Manufacturers with multiple incoming shipments per day often stack pallets in loading areas until space becomes critical. A recurring buyback schedule keeps your docks clear and your books in the black.

200 - 3,000 pallets/month

Retail Chains & Stores

Big-box retailers, grocery stores, and retail distribution hubs receive product on pallets that stack up fast in back rooms and loading bays. Even individual store locations generating 50 to 100 pallets per month can earn meaningful buyback income.

50 - 500 pallets/month per location

3PL & Fulfillment Centers

Third-party logistics providers managing inventory for multiple clients accumulate pallets from dozens of different shippers. Our buyback program handles the mixed sizes and grades that make pallet management complex for 3PLs, paying fair value for every unit.

1,000 - 10,000+ pallets/month

Food & Beverage Companies

Breweries, food processors, and beverage distributors cycle through pallets rapidly. Many of these businesses operate under strict sanitation requirements and need pallets removed on a regular schedule. Our free pickup and fast payment make compliance easy and profitable.

300 - 2,000 pallets/month

Businesses Doing One-Time Cleanouts

Moving locations, closing a facility, or clearing out after a big project? We handle one-time bulk pickups of any size. Whether you have 50 pallets or 5,000 stacked behind your building, we come once, pay you, and take them all.

Any quantity, one-time pickup

Cost Comparison

Buyback vs. Disposal

Most businesses treat surplus pallets as waste and pay to have them hauled away. Our buyback program flips that equation entirely. Here is a side-by-side comparison showing the real financial difference.

Traditional Disposal

Dumpster rental$300 - $600/month
Hauling fees per pickup$150 - $400/load
Landfill tipping fees$40 - $75/ton
Labor to break down and load$200 - $500/month
Typical monthly cost$700 - $1,575

Universal Pallet Supply Buyback

Pickup costFree
Loading and haulingWe handle it
Landfill or disposal fees$0 — zero waste
Your labor requiredNone
Typical monthly revenue+$200 - $7,500

The bottom line: switching from disposal to buyback turns a $700 to $1,575 monthly expense into $200 to $7,500 in monthly revenue. That is a total financial swing of $900 to $9,075 per month — or $10,800 to $108,900 per year — with zero additional effort from your team.

Have Pallets to Sell?

Request a free pickup and find out how much your pallets are worth. No commitment, no obligations — just real money for pallets you no longer need.

Schedule Your Free Pickup