Have You Ever Spotted A Stack Of Pallets And Seen Potential For A Raised Bed, Compost Bin, Or Garden Furniture? Before You Start Your Next Project, It’s Crucial To Check The Pallet’s ‘Passport’, The Stamps On Its Side.
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These Markings Tell You Where It’s Been, How It Was Treated, And Most Importantly, Whether It’s Safe For Use In Your Garden Or Home.
The most important stamps to look for are International Phytosanitary Marks, governed by the IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention). Any pallet that has travelled internationally must have one. It’s a three-part code that reveals everything you need to know.
Understanding Pallet Stamps: Your Safety Check
The IPPC Logo: Confirms the pallet is certified for international movement.
Country & Company Code: e.g., GB-XXX indicates it originated in Great Britain.
Treatment Code: This is the critical part for your safety. It shows how the wood was treated to kill pests.
Decoding the Treatment: Safe or Skip?
Always look for these two-letter codes. Your safety depends on it.
HT (Heat Treated):SAFE. The wood has been heated to at least 56°C to eliminate pests. This is the most common and safest type for upcycling.
KD (Kiln Dried):SAFE. Similar to HT, the wood has been dried in a kiln to kill insects and prevent warping. Often marked KD-HT.
DB (Debarked): Standard practice. The bark has been removed to allow effective treatment.
MB (Methyl Bromide):UNSAFE. AVOID. This pallet was fumigated with a toxic pesticide, banned in the UK since 2010. Never use MB-stamped pallets for projects or burn them. While rare, older pallets may still be in circulation. NB this is the commonly given advice and I give it as well. However Methyl Bromide is a chemical that was extensively used for soil sterilisation in greenhouses and to sterilise the holds of cargo ships for many years. It evaporates very quickly so I doubt pallets will have any traces after so many years. But I would err on the side safe side and obey the commonly given advice.
SF (Sulphuryl Fluoride):AVOID. A fumigant used in some regions. I strongly advise against using these for gardening or other projects.
Simple Rule: For gardening and furniture, only use pallets clearly marked HT, KD, or KD-HT. If you see MB or SF, or if there are no stamps at all, don’t use them.
Other Common Marks & Coloured Pallets
EUR Pallets: Often stamped EPAL or EUR in an oval. These are a standard, sturdy size (1200mm x 800mm) and are typically heat-treated (HT).
CP Pallets: Used in the chemical industry (CP1, CP2, etc.). Avoid these, as they may have transported hazardous materials.
Coloured Pallets (Red, Blue, Brown): These belong to rental companies like CHEP or LPR. They are almost always company property. Using them is considered theft. It’s best to return them to the company or avoid them altogether.
Sourcing the Safest Pallets for Your Garden Projects
While stamps tell the treatment story, they can’t reveal if a pallet has carried chemical spills. For complete peace of mind:
Source Directly: The safest method is to buy new or guaranteed recycled HT pallets from a reputable supplier.
Ask Questions: Always ask the supplier to confirm the pallets are heat-treated (HT) and have not been used to transport chemicals.
Avoid Unknowns: Never collect random pallets from industrial areas or skip yards where their history is unknown.
