Definition
A pallet that has been repaired by replacing damaged components (deck boards, stringers, or blocks) with serviceable parts salvaged from other pallets or with new lumber. Remanufactured pallets — sometimes called combo pallets — offer significant cost savings compared to new pallets while maintaining acceptable quality for most applications. The remanufacturing process involves sorting, disassembling damaged pallets, inspecting components, and reassembling pallets to specification.
Related Terms
Pallet
A flat transport structure, typically made of wood, that supports goods in a stable fashion while being lifted by a forklift, pallet jack, or other jacking device. Pallets are the foundation of modern material handling and logistics, enabling efficient storage, stacking, and transportation of goods. The most common pallet size in North America is the 48x40 inch GMA pallet.
One-Way Pallet
A pallet intended for a single trip from shipper to receiver, not designed for return or reuse in a closed-loop system. One-way pallets are typically manufactured to lower specifications and cost less than multi-use pallets, since they only need to survive one shipping cycle. They are common in export shipping, e-commerce fulfillment, and any supply chain where recovering the pallet after delivery is impractical or uneconomical.
Pallet Pooling
A logistics model in which pallets are rented from a pooling provider rather than purchased. The pooling company manages the entire pallet lifecycle — manufacturing, distributing, collecting, inspecting, repairing, and reissuing pallets across a shared network. Pallet pooling can reduce capital costs, eliminate pallet management complexity, and improve sustainability through professional maintenance and high reuse rates. Major pooling companies include CHEP, PECO, and iGPS.
Recycled Pallet
A used pallet that has been collected, inspected, and returned to service with minimal or no repair. Recycled pallets (also called recovered or reconditioned pallets) are sorted by size and condition, and those meeting acceptable quality thresholds are resold directly. The recycled pallet market is a major segment of the pallet industry, with billions of pallets recovered and reused annually in North America, significantly reducing waste and raw material consumption.
Explore More Pallet Industry Terms
Our glossary contains 165+ terms covering everything from pallet construction to compliance regulations and industry organizations.