Repaired, recycled, remanufactured
| Term | What was done |
|---|---|
| Repaired | A broken part is replaced; the rest stays |
| Recycled | A used pallet is repaired, refurbished or remanufactured for reuse |
| Remanufactured | Pallet is dismantled and rebuilt from sound and new parts |
| Combo | A remanufactured pallet built from recycled and new lumber |
Millwood defines recycled pallets as previously used pallets that have been repaired, refurbished or remanufactured for reuse, and describes combo pallets as remanufactured with a mix of recycled and new lumber.
How it compares
A used pallet is as variable as its history. A combo pallet has new decks on sound recycled stringers, so its top is uniform and its stringers are tested by the rebuild. A new pallet is uniform throughout and costs more. The comparison table for combo pallets sets them out.
Questions to ask
- What are the stringers: new or recycled?
- Are the decks all new?
- Is the pallet heat-treated, and can I see the mark?
- Does the height stay consistent across a stack?
Is combo the same as Grade A?
No. Grade A is a used pallet needing no repairs; a combo is rebuilt.
Are combo pallets allowed for export?
Only if treated and marked.
For the grades around it, see pallet grades. To buy, use the quote form.
Why buyers choose a combo
A combo trades the lowest price for consistency. Because the decks are new, every pallet in a stack has the same height and board pattern, which matters on conveyors, in pallet dispensers and wherever a robot expects a fixed profile. The stringers underneath are sound but used.
- Production lines that feed pallets mechanically.
- Racks where a few millimetres decide whether a pallet fits.
- Loads that are seen by the customer and should look tidy.
What to ask a supplier
Ask which parts are new, which are recycled, and how the stringers were inspected. A good answer names the fraction of new lumber and says what is thrown out. A vague answer is a reason to ask for a sample stack before committing to a truckload.
Is combo cheaper than new?
Usually its appeal is price against new with the look of new, though the actual figure depends on the order.
Is a combo as strong as new?
It depends on the stringers. Sound stringers with new decks can perform well; a cracked stringer cannot.
Can I ask for a mix of combo and Grade A?
Yes. State the ratio and say which stack goes where.
Terms you may hear
- Remanufactured: rebuilt from parts, often with new decks.
- Refurbished: repaired but not rebuilt.
- Recycled: reused after repair.
- Reconditioned: a loose word; ask what it means.
When a seller uses a word that is not in the list, ask for it in plain terms: which boards are new, which are old and what was thrown out. The answer defines the product.
Inspecting a rebuilt pallet
Run a thumbnail along the join between a new deck board and an old stringer. Nails should sit flush and straight, with no gap beneath the board. Tap the stringer and listen for a solid ring. Look for old nail holes in the stringer top, which show how many lives it has had.
Sources