Combo pallet
A combo pallet is built from a mix of new and recycled components, for example new stringers with recycled deckboards. In the pallet classification it is Remanufactured/Combo, and like other remanufactured pallets it must be re-treated and re-marked to ISPM 15 for export.
Also called combination pallet, remanufactured/combo
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On this page
Where combo pallets fit
| Manufacture class | Components |
|---|---|
| New Manufacture | all new |
| Combo | new and recycled mixed |
| Remanufactured | all recycled |
Why buyers use combo pallets
Combo construction puts new wood where strength and appearance matter most and recycled parts elsewhere, often at a price between new and fully recycled. The split varies by supplier, so it should be stated in the spec.
What to specify
- Which components are new and which may be recycled
- Grade requirements for the recycled parts
- Dimensions and tolerances, since recycled parts may differ slightly from new
- Whether repairs are allowed
- ISPM 15: combo pallets must be re-treated and re-marked for export
Rating a combo pallet
Strength depends on the weakest components. PDS can analyze designs that mix new and recycled lumber, and palletdesign.ai lets you model component sizes, but a certified rating should reflect the actual recycled stock. See recycled pallet and reusable vs single-use pallets.
Questions
- Is a combo pallet new or used?
- Both. It combines new and recycled components, so it is classed as remanufactured/combo rather than new manufacture.
Related
- Remanufactured palletA remanufactured pallet is rebuilt from recycled components, often resized. For export it must be re-treated and re-marked to ISPM 15.
- Recycled pallet: grades, repairs and remanufacturingRecycled pallets are used wood pallets that are sorted, repaired or rebuilt. Grades A and B, repaired vs remanufactured vs combo, and ISPM 15 re-treatment.
- Recycled pallet lumber and remanufactured palletsRecycled pallet lumber comes from dismantled pallets and goes into repairs and remanufactured or combo pallets. Repaired pallets need ISPM 15 re-treatment.
- ISPM 15 markThe ISPM 15 mark is the stamp showing wood packaging was treated for export: the IPPC wheat symbol, country code, producer number and treatment code such as HT.
- Companion stringerA companion stringer is a repair part fastened alongside a cracked or broken stringer to restore it. The Uniform Standard lists it with plugs and C-blocks.
- CP palletCP pallets (CP1 to CP9) are nine standard block pallet designs for the chemical and plastics industry, from CP1 at 1000 x 1200 mm to CP9 at 1140 x 1140 mm.
Sources
- Uniform Standard for Wood Pallets (NWPCA, now Woodpack Global), 2012 edition
- Guide to Understanding the PDS Specification and Analysis (stringer, inches)