Turning Plastic Pallet Waste Into Value in Tennessee: A Practical Guide for Businesses

Every warehouse and distribution center knows the sound: forklifts humming through rows of pallets. But what most businesses don’t think about is what happens when those pallets crack, break, or become obsolete.

For wood pallets there is a pretty clear path — resell them to recyclers, refurbish them, even use them as raw material for crafts and other products.

But plastic pallets? They present a different challenge — and a quiet opportunity.

Plastic pallets are used widely in industries that need cleaner, more durable handling solutions. They are lighter than wood, won’t absorb moisture, and they don’t splinter. But when they break or reach the end of their service life, they often end up in storage yards or worse — in the trash. That’s wasteful for the environment and a missed opportunity for businesses.

If your facility is sitting on stacks of old plastic pallets — here’s what you should know and what you can actually do with them:

Step 1: Take Inventory

Start by seeing how many plastic pallets you have and what condition they’re in. Unlike wood pallets, plastic pallets often hold value even if they’re scuffed or partially damaged — because the resin (the actual plastic material) is recyclable.

Step 2: Decide What You Want to Do With Them

You basically have three broad paths:

Recycle them responsibly

Instead of paying landfill fees or letting them sit in a corner, plastic pallets can be recycled back into usable material. Companies like Seraphim Plastics specialize in this space. They buy industrial plastic scrap — including pallets — and process it into regrind that can be used again in manufacturing.

Resell what’s still usable

Some plastic pallets, if still in decent shape, may be sold to other businesses or pallet buyers looking for affordable reusable pallets. This works best if you have standardized sizes and a reliable way to connect with buyers.

Partner with a recycler that makes it simple

This is often the easiest choice for bigger operations. Instead of trying to find buyers yourself, bring in a recycler that handles pickup and processing. That’s a service that Seraphim Plastics provides in Tennessee — they’ll take large loads of clean plastic pallets and other rigid plastics and turn them into valuable recycled material.

Step 3: Understand the Benefits

Why go through the trouble?

Space savings: Warehouses free up valuable real estate.

Waste reduction: Instead of clogging landfills with durable plastics, you put it back into the circular economy.

Possible revenue: Some recyclers pay for clean plastic scrap, which offsets disposal costs.

The Real Bottom Line

Most businesses don’t think twice about what happens to old plastic pallets, even though they could be sitting on something valuable. The key is understanding that recycling isn’t just cutting costs or making you look good environmentally. It’s also a practical operational decision.

Whether you choose to resell pallets that are still in good shape or partner with a specialist like Seraphim Plastics to responsibly recycle what cannot be reused, taking action can turn pileups into payoff.

If your Tennessee business is littered with old plastic pallets and you’re not sure where to start, reach out to an industrial recycler. You might be surprised at what you discover — space cleared, trash bills down, and even a little revenue back in your pocket.