Choosing between new and recycled pallets comes down to your application, load requirements, and budget. Florida Pallet Supply breaks down the full comparison so you can make the right call for your operation.
Not all recycled pallets are created equal - Grade A and Grade B recycled pallets have meaningfully different performance profiles. Here is how new and recycled options stack up across the metrics that matter most.
| Category | New Pallets | Grade A Recycled | Grade B Recycled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Condition | Perfect - no damage, no repairs | Good - minor blemishes only | Fair - visible repairs, some wear |
| Static Load Capacity | Full rated capacity | 90-95% of new rating | 75-85% of new rating |
| Dimensional Consistency | Exact to spec every unit | Very consistent | Some variation unit to unit |
| Contamination Risk | None (known clean wood) | Low (inspected) | Moderate (unknown history) |
| Appearance | Clean, bright wood | Minor staining acceptable | Visible wear, staining, old nails |
| Price vs New | Baseline (100%) | 60-70% of new price | 40-55% of new price |
| Best Uses | Pharma, food-contact, export, retail compliance | General distribution, grocery, manufacturing | Internal warehouse use, non-food industrial |
| Export Eligible | Yes (with HT treatment) | Yes (with HT re-treatment) | Case by case only |
Florida Pallet Supply offers new, Grade A, and Grade B recycled pallets across all sizes. Our team helps you choose the right grade for your application and budget.
Get PricingThe choice between new and recycled pallets is not always straightforward. Many operations use a mix of both - new pallets for regulated or visible applications, Grade A recycled for the bulk of their warehouse and distribution needs. Florida Pallet Supply can supply both grades and will help you optimize your pallet mix to control costs without compromising performance. See our full article on new vs recycled pallets for additional detail. The National Wooden Pallet and Container Association maintains industry grading guidance that informs our inspection and grading process.
Certain applications should always use new pallets. Here is where the additional cost of new pallets is clearly justified.
Pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing: FDA-regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environments require traceability and contamination control that recycled pallets cannot reliably provide. The unknown history of a recycled pallet - what products it previously carried, what chemicals it was exposed to - introduces risk that regulated manufacturers cannot accept. New pallets from known-clean wood sources eliminate that uncertainty.
Direct food contact: When palletized products may come into direct contact with food surfaces - unwrapped produce, bulk grain, unpackaged food ingredients - new pallets eliminate the contamination risk posed by pallets with unknown product histories. FDA food safety guidance underscores the importance of sanitary pallet selection for food contact applications.
Export with ISPM-15 requirements: While recycled pallets can be re-treated for export, new pallets provide cleaner compliance documentation and eliminate questions about treatment history. For high-value export shipments where customs delays are costly, new heat-treated pallets from Florida Pallet Supply provide the cleanest compliance path.
Retail vendor compliance programs: Some major retailers specify new pallets for certain inbound product categories. Always check your specific retail customer's vendor compliance guide. Florida Pallet Supply can supply new pallets that meet major retailer specifications across FL, GA, NJ, MD, and DE.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors require new pallets for GMP-compliant production environments. The inability to trace a recycled pallet's history makes it unsuitable for regulated pharma applications. Florida Pallet Supply provides new GMA pallets and custom sizes to pharmaceutical operations across FL, GA, NJ, MD, and DE with documentation available for quality system requirements.
Get Pharma-Grade Pallets →Food manufacturers running SQF, BRC, or other food safety certifications typically require new or fully documented recycled pallets for production environments. Grade A recycled pallets are generally acceptable for finished goods warehousing and distribution when products are fully packaged. Florida Pallet Supply advises food manufacturing customers on the right pallet grade for each stage of their supply chain.
View Pallet Options →Exporters shipping through Florida's ports need new or properly re-treated recycled pallets with ISPM-15 compliance. New pallets eliminate questions about previous treatment history and provide the cleanest documentation trail for customs compliance. Florida Pallet Supply stocks new heat-treated pallets in 48x40 and other common sizes for immediate export availability.
Get Export Pallets →Grade A recycled pallets typically cost 30-40% less than comparable new pallets. Grade B recycled pallets can be 45-60% less than new. The exact difference depends on market conditions, wood species, pallet size, and volume. In 2026, new 48x40 GMA pallets are priced significantly higher than their recycled equivalents due to lumber costs. Contact Florida Pallet Supply for current pricing on both new and recycled options in your required size and quantity.
A Grade A recycled pallet is a used pallet that has been inspected and meets all functional structural requirements. It may have minor cosmetic blemishes - slight discoloration, minor surface checking, or evidence of previous use - but all deck boards are intact, stringers are sound, and load ratings are not materially compromised. Florida Pallet Supply inspects all recycled pallets before grading and sale to ensure Grade A pallets meet our quality standards.
Grade A recycled pallets are appropriate for food distribution where products are in sealed, intact packaging. They are not appropriate for direct food contact applications. For operations under food safety certifications (SQF, BRC, FSMA-regulated facilities), consult your food safety program requirements before specifying recycled pallets. Florida Pallet Supply can advise on appropriate pallet selection for your specific food safety program. See our full new vs recycled guide for more detail.
Yes, with the right treatment. Recycled pallets can be used for international export if they are heat treated to ISPM-15 standards and properly marked. If a recycled pallet was previously heat treated but has since been repaired with non-treated wood, it must be re-treated as a complete unit. For most export applications, new heat-treated pallets provide a simpler compliance path. Florida Pallet Supply can advise on the best option for your export volume and timeline.
Yes. Florida Pallet Supply maintains inventory of new pallets, Grade A recycled pallets, and Grade B recycled pallets across multiple sizes. We deliver to customers in FL, GA, NJ, MD, and DE and can supply a mix of grades to optimize your cost structure. Contact our team to discuss your volume requirements, application needs, and delivery schedule for the most competitive pricing on any pallet grade.
Fast delivery across Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware. New, recycled, and custom options available.
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