A Pallet is a structural foundation that is used mostly by the shipping industry to transport delicate materials. Pallets are usually available in slat or block forms. These offer strength and efficient storage facilities when stacked inside the containers. Once the goods are transported, these pallets become redundant and find their way into the waste bins, landfills or in garages and storehouses where they lie unutilized and wither away with time. Pallets can be of wood, metal or plastic.
However, these pallets are catching the fancies of nature lovers and recyclers and are being used uniquely and elaborately in creating masterpieces which although might look naive yet carry a rustic appeal.
Some of the areas where wooden pallets are finding entry include:
1. A bench or chair
The wooden pallets are segregated, stacked and made into benches or chairs, although these furniture do not look very appealing yet the thrill of making a furniture piece for oneself by recycling unused waste is surely satisfying. Besides, such furniture retain the original look of paints or patterns which provide a very “earthy feel”. A fully functional sturdy bed can also be made by using and stacking the pallets together and adding additional cabinets or storage boxes according to one’s requirement. Many multipurpose chairs, picnic sets, loungers or garden beds can thus be made depending on the creativity of the individual.
2. A shoe rack
Turning those slats into an aesthetic shoe rack is another way of recycling wooden pallets. These shoe racks, which are easy to assemble by any individual just require a bit of imagination, some nails and a hammer. Shoes can be either stacked or fitted between the panels in the painted or original pallet racks.
3. A book case
Stacks of pallets can be bundled together and modeled into exquisite book cases. These recycled pallet cases look chic and offer a rustic look to one’s drawing room, study or office. Again they can either be painted or used in their original textured form. A single unit book case just to stack books or a multi-purpose case which can store books, papers or have a study area with cabinets can be easily constructed by anyone having a bit of carpentry and creative skills.
4. A lamp
Either a ceiling hung or a standalone lamp, whatever one prefers can easily be made by joining the slats together and fitting lights on the underside. The lamp thus, can be made either with a stand or fitted with attachments to hang from the ceiling.
5. A table
For this particular project, block pallets are preferred than slats. The blocks of pallets are fitted together in a square, rectangular or any desired shape, painted, or in original form and thus converted into a bedside, tea, ironing or center table depending on the size and the appeal of the piece of furniture. Many innovative permutations and combinations can be made to give these tables different looks, feels and appeals.
6. A bike trailer
A unique concept to carry or transport items by simply building a trailer from stacked and nailed pallets fitted with tires to go along with the bicycle and attaching it to the seat handle, this mode of transportation is not only cheap and green but easy to drive since most of us are comfortable with bicycle rides rather than small carriage vans.
7. A garden or bird house
This option although requires some amount of expertise due to being quite elaborate yet is surely a great idea to utilize the redundant pallets. A tree house for children is not only a thrill for them but also a way to make them understand the importance of recycling, or a small bird house for the people who love to treat their chirping friends, or even a full sized wooden house standing tall in one’s garden can be a fun picnic spot to rejuvenate and relax in the natural sunlight and fresh air.
The more exclusive the concept the more exciting the outcome. Beautiful composite bins built by stacking pallets and further compartmentalizing them to store different kinds of composites or wastes is another pleasant premise. Catching up fast, and now being classified as “pallet craft”, the art of utilizing used and discarded pallets is now a rave concept across the world especially in the west. Sculptures, wall decorations, Christmas decorations and even guitars are being made from recycled wooden pallets. Another adventurous concept is of fitting the slats together and mounting them on a base with attached wheels to serve as sledges in snow capped areas for easy transportation.
