Find a collection arrangement for the pallets taking up space at your business. We help compare removal and recycling options around your materials, volumes and site access.
Pallet removal depends on what you have and how it can be collected. Share the type, condition and quantity before assuming that a load qualifies for free collection or a rebate.
Separate timber and plastic pallets, and identify branded or pooled pallets whose return needs checking.
Photograph the stack and note sizes, damage and any contamination.
State the number ready now and how many you generate each week or month.
Describe forklift availability, loading space and vehicle access.
Ask what collection, sorting and disposal charges are included, and whether any credit is conditional.
What we cover
Find the right setup.
Pallet Collection
Scheduled or on-demand collection of surplus pallets from your warehouse, factory, or distribution centre. We negotiate pickup frequencies and rates based on your actual volume.
Broken Pallet Disposal
Broken and damaged pallets that can't be repaired still have value as timber or biomass fuel. We connect you with processors who pay for or collect broken pallets at competitive rates.
Pallet Repair & Resale
Many pallets can be repaired and resold rather than disposed of. We negotiate arrangements with pallet reconditioning companies who can turn your waste pallets into a revenue stream.
Export & Plastic Pallets
Heat-treated export pallets, plastic pallets, and non-standard sizes all have different recycling pathways. We ensure each type goes to the right processor at the best rate.
The practical details
What shapes the plan?
A useful comparison starts with your actual operation.
01
Volume
The amount produced and the bin or storage arrangement required.
02
Collection frequency
How quickly material builds up between collections.
03
Site access
Loading areas, vehicle access and restrictions at your premises.
04
Material separation
What the stream contains and how it is kept apart from other waste.
We don't change your waste operations — we change what you pay for them. If we can't save you money, you owe us nothing.
Pallets pile up fast. Costs shouldn't.
If your business receives goods on pallets, you know the problem: they accumulate quickly and disposing of them costs real money. Whether you're dealing with standard Australian pallets, CHEP, Loscam, export pallets, or broken timber — the rates vary wildly between providers.
Bundle Waste negotiates the best rates for pallet collection, recycling, and disposal across Melbourne and Australia. We work with specialist pallet recyclers, timber processors, and waste-to-energy facilities to find the most cost-effective solution for your volume and pallet type.
From cost centre to potential revenue.
Depending on your volume and pallet condition, we can often negotiate arrangements where your pallets are collected for free — or even at a rebate. Many businesses don't realise their surplus pallets have resale value.
If we can't save you money, you owe us nothing. Zero upfront costs, no hidden fees, no risk.
Pallet collection and disposal rates in Melbourne
Pallet collection in Melbourne is priced three ways: per pallet, per pallet-only skip swap, or as a scheduled monthly pickup. Bundle Waste's 2026 benchmark ranges across the metro regions:
Service
Melbourne range 2026
Typical user
Per pallet, ad hoc collection
$3–8 per pallet
Occasional volumes, mixed sizes
Per pallet, bulk (20 or more)
$1.80–5 per pallet
Warehouses clearing a backlog
Pallet-only skip bin
$270–550 per swap
Broken or non-standard pallets
Scheduled monthly pickup
$135–320 per month
Distribution centres, manufacturers
Free pickup versus paid removal
Sound, standard 1165 × 1165 mm Australian timber pallets have resale value, so recyclers will often collect them free or for a small rebate once you have a truckload. Broken pallets, odd sizes, export (heat-treated) pallets past their stamp and plastic pallets cost money to move because they are repaired, chipped or granulated rather than resold. The price you pay depends almost entirely on the mix and the volume, which is why per-pallet rates span a wide range.
Broken and damaged pallets
Broken timber pallets are the stream most warehouses overpay for. They belong in a pallet-only skip or a bulk collection, not the general-waste bin, where a cubic metre of timber attracts the $177.19 per tonne landfill levy plus general-waste handling. Recyclers chip clean timber for landscaping mulch, particleboard and biomass; painted or treated timber is charged as general waste.
CHEP, Loscam and other hire pallets
Blue CHEP and red Loscam pallets are hire equipment owned by the pooling company, not waste. Disposing of them, even broken, is a breach of the hire terms, and holding them attracts daily hire charges. Return them through the pooler's collection process and keep the transfer dockets; a pallet audit that finds pooled pallets in a disposal pile is finding money.
Timber versus plastic
Plastic pallets last longer but cannot be repaired or chipped locally, so end-of-life collection is priced by weight for granulation. Our timber versus plastic pallet disposal comparison covers the lifecycle cost. Whatever the mix, the cheapest outcome is a single collector on a schedule matched to your volume, which is what a free audit sets up.
Before collection
Keep the details clear.
Confirm the materials, containers and preparation requirements with your collection provider. Acceptance depends on the service arranged for your site.
Timber palletsPlastic palletsCrates
Common questions
Pallet Recycling FAQ.
Does anyone collect pallets for free in Melbourne?
Often, for sound standard 1165 × 1165 mm timber pallets in truckload quantities, because they can be resold. Broken, odd-sized, expired export and plastic pallets are charged for collection because they are repaired, chipped or granulated instead.
How much does pallet collection cost in Melbourne?
In 2026, $3–8 per pallet for ad hoc collection, $1.80–5 per pallet for bulk lots of 20 or more, $270–550 per swap for a pallet-only skip and $135–320 a month for a scheduled pickup, depending on region and pallet condition.
What do I do with broken pallets?
Keep them out of the general-waste bin, where they attract the $177.19 per tonne landfill levy plus general-waste handling. Use a pallet-only skip or a bulk collection so the clean timber can be chipped for mulch, particleboard or biomass.
Can I get cash for pallets in Melbourne?
Sometimes. Recyclers pay a small rebate for sound standard timber pallets collected in truckload quantities. Mixed or damaged loads are more likely to be collected free or at a per-pallet charge than paid for.
Can I throw out CHEP or Loscam pallets?
No. Blue CHEP and red Loscam pallets are hire equipment owned by the pooling company. Return them through the pooler's collection process and keep the dockets; disposing of them breaches the hire terms and holding them attracts ongoing hire charges.
How many pallets before a scheduled pickup makes sense?
Once you are generating 20 or more surplus pallets a month, a scheduled pickup at $135–320 a month usually beats ad hoc per-pallet collection, and it stops pallets stacking up in the yard.
Can I get paid for my surplus pallets?
Yes. Standard Australian pallets (1165x1165mm) in good condition attract buy-back rates of $4–$7 per pallet depending on quality, volume, and current market demand. Export pallets (1200x1000mm) fetch $3–$8 each. We connect you with pallet recyclers who collect in bulk — minimum 50 pallets per pickup in metro Melbourne.
Do you handle CHEP and Loscam pallets?
CHEP (blue) and Loscam (red) pallets remain the property of those companies and must be returned through their hire systems. Accumulating them on-site incurs hire fees of $2–$3/day per pallet. We help you set up efficient return processes and track pallet movements to avoid costly hire charge blowouts, which can reach thousands of dollars per quarter.
What about broken or damaged pallets?
Damaged pallets have three pathways: repairable pallets are collected for refurbishment at $3–$5 each, timber is chipped for mulch or biomass fuel at $20–$40/tonne, and severely damaged pallets with nails or contamination cost $40–$80/tonne for disposal. We assess your pallet waste and direct each category to the most cost-effective pathway.
How often can pallets be collected?
Collection frequency depends on your accumulation rate. Most warehouses and distribution centres schedule weekly or fortnightly collections. We arrange scheduled pickups using flat-bed trucks that can collect 200–400 pallets per load. For large volumes (500+ pallets), same-week collection is typically available across metro Melbourne.
What is the difference between heat-treated and non-treated pallets?
Heat-treated (HT) pallets comply with ISPM 15 for international shipping and are marked with the HT stamp. They command a $2–$3 premium over non-treated pallets in the resale market. Non-HT pallets are suitable for domestic use only. We ensure your export pallets are properly graded and sold at the appropriate price point.
Can you help reduce pallet waste at my warehouse?
Yes. Through pallet pooling, repair programs, and return logistics, we typically reduce pallet waste by 40–60%. A warehouse generating 500 waste pallets per month can save $3,000–$5,000 monthly by implementing a structured pallet management program. We assess your inbound and outbound pallet flows and recommend the optimal mix of reuse, repair, and recycling.
Bundle Waste
