In many companies, logistics centres and production facilities, accumulating large quantities of wooden pallets is an everyday occurrence. These are usually packaging materials left over after deliveries or no longer needed in ongoing processes. Over time, they become a problem – they take up valuable warehouse space, hinder stock rotation, and, in some cases, their recycling can generate unnecessary costs.
The solution, however, is simple. The purchase of wooden pallets is a service that not only helps you organise your space and recover funds, but also provides you with a partner who ensures transparent settlements and compliance with environmental regulations. This way, Rotom operates – a company that has supported businesses for years in the efficient management of transport packaging.
Why is it worth selling surplus pallets?
Every square metre of warehouse space is worth its weight in gold today. Storing hundreds or thousands of unused wooden pallets not only blocks space but also reduces the efficiency of logistics processes. In many cases, their storage requires additional handling and, in extreme situations, can lead to disorganisation of loading zones or increased fire risk.
At the same time, pallets – even damaged ones – have value. They are not waste but a resource that can be recovered, repaired or responsibly processed. This is why Rotom’s pallet purchase programme enables companies to combine economic benefits with environmental responsibility.
Instead of paying for disposal, you can receive payment for packaging you no longer need. Moreover, selling surplus pallets often becomes an additional source of revenue, significantly reducing the operating costs of your business.
How does the purchase process work at Rotom?
We aim to make the collaboration as simple and transparent as possible. That’s why the purchase process has been designed to minimise the customer's burden and allow them to focus entirely on their core activities.
- Contact and receive a free valuation – simply let us know that you wish to sell your pallets. Our specialists will assess the quantity and technical condition free of charge and prepare an initial offer.
- Delivery of a Rotom trailer - we arrive with our own transport, and you can load the pallets at your own pace.
- Collection and sorting of pallets – once loaded, we transport the pallets to the nearest Rotom facility, where they are sorted by type and quality.
- Report and settlement – once sorting is complete, we provide a comprehensive report with results and settlement, based on the actual quantity and pallet grades.
- Recycling documentation – if any pallets cannot be reused, we issue the relevant documents confirming their recycling.
And that’s it. No hidden verification costs and no additional workload for your team. With regular cooperation, we introduce collection schedules or provide a resident trailer on the customer’s site.
What exactly do we purchase?
We mainly purchase wooden pallets. The most common sizes are 1200×800 mm, 1200×1000 mm and Euro EPAL pallets. We accept both usable and damaged pallets. Settlements can take the form of:
- Purchase "per piece" according to the price list,
- Acceptance as waste - with complete documentation and recycling confirmation,
- A mixed model for batches containing different types and quality grades.
As an EPAL-certified entity, we adhere to high standards in sorting and sustainable repairs. Our priority in the process is to maximise component recovery and reuse of material to minimise environmental impact.
We achieve the best results in long-term relationships with clients - when collections are predictable and pallet flow is regular. For customers with larger volumes, we provide a permanent trailer. The customer’s team loads it according to their operational rhythm, and we replace the full trailer with an empty one according to the schedule or on demand. Transparent sorting reports are standard, helping with settlements and audits. We can also combine the purchase of old pallets with the delivery of new ones - reducing procurement time and often lowering the total cost of refreshing the packaging fleet.
An example of such cooperation: pallet purchase for a retail client
Packaging purchase for a retail customer in Belgium
One example of long-term cooperation is our retail client in Belgium - a network of supermarkets and convenience stores, which provides us with approximately 20,000 pallets each month. The diversity of types (Euro pallets, 1200×800, 1200×1000 and selected plastic pallets) created growing disorder and pressure on warehouse space.
The company needed a solution that would regularly clear warehouse space without interrupting daily operations. Together, we implemented a model based on a permanent trailer located at the customer’s site. Once filled, it is replaced with an empty one, and we transport the pallets to the nearest Rotom facility for sorting and settlement.
As a result:
- The client maintains a stable, organised pallet handover process,
- They have obtained transparent settlements and reports,
- Warehouse space has been freed from excess packaging.
The model has proven highly effective, both operationally and financially, and has become a permanent part of our cooperation.
Sustainability and compliance with PPWR regulations
In April 2024, the European Parliament adopted the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation), which introduces new standards for packaging and packaging waste. Its goal is to reduce waste and implement a circular economy, where all packaging is reused or recycled.
By 2030, all packaging placed on the EU market must be recyclable. This is a significant transformation for the entire logistics and manufacturing industry - and it is why responsible pallet management is increasingly important.
Rotom has long operated in line with these principles, helping companies meet PPWR requirements. By offering the purchase, sorting and recycling of wooden pallets, we support businesses in fulfilling environmental obligations and reducing their carbon footprint.
Every customer receives recycling documents that can be used in ESG reports, environmental audits or waste records. Thus, working with Rotom brings not only financial benefits but also real support in sustainable development and compliance with European regulations.
You can learn more about the PPWR rules in the article: How PPWR Regulations Are Changing Packaging Standards
Safe and legally compliant transactions
Rotom ensures full compliance with EU packaging waste regulations throughout the purchase process, while also issuing all the necessary documentation. This allows your company to easily record the quantities of waste transferred and benefit from preferential environmental fee rates – often significantly lower, and in some cases, zero.
With transparent documentation, the purchase process is not only safe but also fully aligned with sustainability policies.
Service available across Europe
Rotom operates throughout Europe, with over 30 locations in 10 countries. Thanks to this, we can collect your pallets almost anywhere, optimising transport costs and reducing lead times. Pallets are always delivered to the nearest Rotom branch, where they are sorted and reintroduced into circulation.
Our experience and logistical infrastructure enable us to provide comprehensive services, even for large volumes of packaging, while maintaining attractive financial conditions and complete transparency.
How to start selling pallets with Rotom?
The simplest way - begin with a free valuation. Please let us know how many pallets you have, how often they accumulate, and at which locations. We will propose the optimal model, which may include a one-off warehouse clearance, a permanent trailer, regular collections, or a combination of these. If you plan to change pallet standards, we will prepare a variant that includes both the purchase of old pallets and the supply of new ones.
Do you have excess wooden pallets and want to organise them without chaos or unnecessary costs? Contact us. We will prepare a clear purchase offer and a tailored collection plan to suit your logistics.
