Built on Sawdust, Driven by Purpose
Pallets West Coast started with a simple observation: millions of perfectly reusable wooden pallets were being sent to landfills every year across the Pacific Northwest. What began as one person with a pickup truck and a conviction has grown into the West Coast's most trusted name in recycled pallet solutions — serving hundreds of businesses from our home base at 1875 W 6th Ave in Eugene, Oregon.
Today, we operate a 40,000-square-foot facility with a dedicated team of craftspeople, logistics specialists, and sustainability advocates. We have diverted over 800,000 pallets from landfills, saved our clients millions of dollars, and proven that doing right by the environment and doing right by business are not mutually exclusive.
Want to Work With Us?
Whether you need pallets, want to sell your used ones, or are curious about recycling options, we would love to hear from you.
From Humble Beginnings
Our Journey
The First Pickup Load
Founder Jake Harmon spotted a dumpster full of perfectly good pallets behind a Eugene warehouse. He loaded his truck, repaired them in his garage, and sold them the same week. The idea for Pallets West Coast was born — rescue, repair, and return pallets to the supply chain.
First Dedicated Yard
Growing demand forced an upgrade from the garage to a leased quarter-acre lot on West 6th Avenue. A part-time helper joined the team. Monthly volume hit 500 pallets for the first time, serving local farms, breweries, and small manufacturers in the Willamette Valley.
ISPM-15 Heat Treatment Certification
To serve export-oriented clients, we invested in our first heat treatment chamber and earned ISPM-15 certification. This opened the door to food processors, wineries, and tech companies shipping internationally from the Pacific Northwest.
Portland Route Established
We launched our first scheduled delivery route to Portland, running three times per week. Major accounts in the Portland metro brought monthly volume past 5,000 pallets. The team grew to eight full-time employees.
Expansion to 40,000 Sq Ft
We moved into our current 40,000-square-foot facility on West 6th Avenue with a dedicated repair line, automated sorting, and covered storage for over 50,000 pallets. A second heat treatment kiln was installed to double capacity.
Statewide Coverage & Washington Routes
Despite pandemic challenges, demand for affordable pallets surged. We expanded delivery to every major Oregon city and added twice-weekly routes to Seattle, Tacoma, and Vancouver, WA. Annual volume exceeded 100,000 pallets for the first time.
California Expansion
Weekly scheduled routes to Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area launched. A partnership with a Southern California logistics provider extended our reach to Los Angeles and San Diego. The team grew to 25 employees.
800,000 Pallets Milestone
We crossed the 800,000 mark for pallets diverted from landfills since founding. New custom pallet manufacturing capabilities were added, and we introduced a reclaimed wood retail program for makers and designers. Plans for a second facility in the Portland metro entered the design phase.
Scaling Sustainably
A second location in the Portland area is under development. We are investing in electric delivery vehicles, solar panels for our Eugene facility, and digital inventory tracking that will give clients real-time visibility into their pallet orders. The mission remains unchanged: keep pallets out of landfills and save businesses money.
What Guides Us
Mission, Vision & Values
Our Mission
To extend the useful life of every wooden pallet we touch, delivering affordable, high-quality pallet products and services that reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and strengthen the supply chains of West Coast businesses. We exist to prove that sustainability and profitability belong in the same sentence.
Our Vision
A West Coast where no reusable pallet reaches a landfill. We envision a fully circular pallet economy — where every pallet is tracked, maintained, and reused until its final fibers become mulch or biomass energy. We are building the infrastructure, relationships, and technology to make that vision a reality within the next decade.
Our Values
- Stewardship: We treat every board as a resource worth saving.
- Integrity: Honest grading, transparent pricing, no surprises.
- Reliability: We deliver what we promise, when we promise it.
- Craftsmanship: Repaired pallets should perform like new pallets.
- Community: We hire local, buy local, and give back locally.
The People Behind the Pallets
Team Philosophy
Craftspeople, Not Just Laborers
Every member of our repair team is trained to assess structural integrity, identify wood species, and make repair decisions that maximize both safety and pallet lifespan. We invest in ongoing training because the quality of our product depends entirely on the skill and judgment of the people who build and repair it.
Many of our team members have been with us for five years or more. Low turnover means deep expertise, consistent quality, and a crew that takes genuine pride in the pallets that leave our yard.
Safety-First Culture
Pallet work involves heavy materials, power tools, and forklifts — hazards we take seriously. We hold weekly safety meetings, provide full PPE, and maintain a zero-tolerance policy for unsafe practices. Our incident rate is well below the industry average, and we are proud of that record.
We believe that a safe workplace is a productive workplace. When our team feels protected and valued, they produce better work — and that quality shows up in every pallet we deliver to your dock.
Local Hiring, Living Wages
We hire from the Eugene-Springfield community and pay well above minimum wage because skilled work deserves skilled compensation. Benefits include health insurance, paid time off, and a retirement match that starts from day one.
Several of our team leads started as entry-level sorters and worked their way up. We believe in promoting from within and giving every employee a clear path forward.
Customer-Facing, Always
When you call us, a real person answers. When a delivery arrives, our driver will walk the load with you. We build relationships, not just transactions, because the pallet business thrives on trust and repeat partnership.
Our sales and logistics team knows your account, your preferences, and your schedule. That institutional knowledge means fewer errors, faster turnarounds, and a partnership that gets smoother over time.
Sustainability by the Numbers
Environmental Commitment
Recycling pallets is not just good business — it is one of the most impactful forms of wood waste diversion in the logistics industry. Here is what our work has achieved so far.
847,000+
Pallets Diverted from Landfills
Since 2012
12,700+
Tons of Wood Saved
Equivalent to ~6,000 mature trees
4,200+
Tons of CO2 Avoided
vs. manufacturing new pallets
98%
Material Recovery Rate
Near-zero waste to landfill
The Circular Pallet Lifecycle
Every pallet that enters our facility follows a strict triage process. Pallets in good condition are cleaned, inspected, and returned directly to the supply chain. Damaged pallets are disassembled; usable boards become repair stock for future rebuilds, while unusable wood is chipped for landscaping mulch or processed into biomass fuel for local energy generation.
Metal fasteners are collected and recycled separately. Our material recovery rate exceeds 98% — meaning less than 2% of inbound material by weight ends up in a landfill, and we are working to push that number even lower.
Carbon Impact
Manufacturing a single new 48x40 pallet requires approximately 12 board feet of lumber, the energy to mill and assemble it, and the fuel to transport raw materials. When a used pallet is recycled instead, all of that upstream carbon expenditure is avoided. Across our volume, this adds up to an estimated 4,200+ tons of CO2 equivalents avoided since we opened.
We are also investing in our own operations: LED lighting throughout the facility, a transition to electric forklifts, and plans for rooftop solar installation in 2026. Our goal is to be carbon-neutral in our operations by 2028.
Water & Chemical Stewardship
Our heat treatment process uses dry heat rather than chemical fumigation, eliminating the use of methyl bromide and other toxic treatments that are still common in parts of the industry. We use no chemical preservatives on recycled pallets, making them safe for agricultural and food-adjacent applications.
Stormwater runoff from our yard is managed through bioswales and a retention pond system that filters particulates before water returns to the local watershed. We monitor water quality quarterly in partnership with the City of Eugene.
Industry Certifications
- ISPM-15 Certified Heat Treatment Facility
- NWPCA (National Wooden Pallet & Container Association) Member
- Oregon DEQ Waste Diversion Recognized Facility
- OSHA VPP (Voluntary Protection Program) Participant
- Annual third-party environmental audit (passed every year since 2018)
- Pursuing B Corp certification (application submitted 2025)
Rooted in Eugene
Community Involvement
We believe a business is only as strong as the community it operates in. Here are some of the ways we give back to the place we call home.
Habitat for Humanity Partnership
We donate reclaimed lumber and volunteer labor hours to Habitat for Humanity of Lane County. Since 2017, our donated materials have contributed to the construction of over a dozen affordable homes in the Eugene-Springfield area.
School Workshop Program
Every spring, we host woodworking workshops for local high school students, teaching basic carpentry, shop safety, and the principles of the circular economy. Several past participants have gone on to join our team.
Community Garden Mulch
Non-repairable pallet wood is ground into clean, untreated mulch and donated to community gardens across Lane County. Last year, we provided over 40 cubic yards of mulch to six local gardens and the Eugene Parks Department.
Veterans Employment Initiative
We actively recruit and train military veterans transitioning to civilian careers. The discipline, teamwork, and physical capability that veterans bring to our operation are invaluable. Currently, veterans make up nearly 20% of our workforce.
Local Maker Community
Our reclaimed wood program supplies affordable, character-rich boards to furniture makers, artists, and DIY enthusiasts throughout the Willamette Valley. We sponsor the annual Eugene Maker Faire and host open-yard sales quarterly.
Environmental Education
We partner with the University of Oregon and Lane Community College to provide tours, guest lectures, and internship opportunities focused on circular economy practices, waste diversion metrics, and sustainable business operations.
Where the Work Happens
Our Facilities
Our 40,000-square-foot facility on W 6th Ave in Eugene is purpose-built for high-volume pallet processing. Every area is optimized for efficiency, safety, and environmental responsibility.
Receiving & Sorting Yard
12,000 sq ft (outdoor, covered)
Incoming pallets are unloaded, visually inspected, and sorted by size and initial condition assessment. High-volume receiving bays handle full semi-trailers with rapid turnaround -- average unload time is under 30 minutes for a full truckload.
Inspection & Grading Station
3,000 sq ft (indoor)
Dedicated grading stations where trained inspectors evaluate every pallet against NWPCA standards. Each pallet is graded A, B, or C and routed to the appropriate inventory area. Pallets failing minimum Grade C are sent to dismantling.
Repair & Manufacturing Line
8,000 sq ft (indoor)
Our repair line handles 200+ pallets per day. Equipped with pneumatic nail guns, board saws, and stringer repair jigs. The same line produces custom and new pallets with precision cut stations and assembly tables.
Heat Treatment Chamber
2,500 sq ft (dedicated building)
Two ISPM-15 certified heat treatment kilns capable of processing 400 pallets per cycle. Biomass-fired for sustainability. Calibrated temperature probes and data loggers record every treatment cycle for regulatory compliance.
Finished Goods Storage
10,000 sq ft (outdoor, covered)
Graded and ready-to-ship pallets are stored in organized inventory zones by size and grade. Covered storage protects finished pallets from weather, maintaining quality until delivery. Capacity: 50,000+ pallets across all sizes.
Recycling & Grinding Area
4,500 sq ft (outdoor)
End-of-life pallets are dismantled and usable boards salvaged. Non-recoverable wood is fed through our industrial grinder to produce mulch, biomass fuel, and animal bedding. Metal fasteners are magnetically separated for scrap recycling.
Built for Performance
Equipment & Capabilities
We invest continually in modern equipment to maximize throughput, maintain quality, and keep our team safe. Here is what powers our daily operations.
Forklifts
Mix of propane and electric forklifts (5,000-8,000 lb capacity). Transitioning to all-electric by 2027. Used for loading, unloading, sorting, and inventory management.
Pneumatic Nail Guns
Industrial-grade pneumatic nailers for repair and new construction. Ring-shank and helical nails for superior holding power. Each station produces 40+ pallets per shift.
Board Saws
Precision cut-off saws and rip saws for trimming replacement boards to exact specifications. Dust collection systems capture all sawdust for biomass use.
Industrial Grinder
High-capacity tub grinder processes non-recoverable wood into mulch and biomass fuel. Capable of grinding 10 tons per hour with magnetic metal separation.
Heat Treatment Kilns
ISPM-15 certified kilns processing 400 pallets per cycle. Biomass-fired with calibrated temperature monitoring and automated data logging.
Delivery Trucks
Flatbed and stake-bed trucks for local and regional delivery. GPS-tracked for route optimization. Capacity ranges from 50 to 200 pallets per load.
Pallet Jacks
Manual and powered pallet jacks for in-facility movement. Essential for positioning pallets on repair lines and staging areas.
Inspection Tools
Moisture meters, tape measures, straight edges, probe testers, and digital calipers for thorough quality inspection and grading accuracy.
Daily Processing Capacity
500+
Pallets inspected & graded daily
200+
Pallets repaired daily
400
Pallets heat-treated per cycle
50,000+
Pallets in ready inventory
Consistency You Can Count On
Quality Management System
Quality is not an afterthought -- it is built into every step of our process. Our quality management system ensures consistent grading, reliable load ratings, and customer satisfaction.
Incoming Quality Control
- Every incoming load is inspected before acceptance. Contaminated, hazmat-exposed, or infested pallets are rejected at the gate.
- Random sample testing of structural integrity on 10% of incoming pallets using load testing and flex measurement.
- Moisture content testing to identify pallets at risk of mold or reduced structural performance.
Process Controls
- Standardized grading criteria posted at every inspection station. All graders trained and calibrated quarterly against reference samples.
- Repair specifications documented for every common defect type. Replacement boards must match original lumber grade and dimensions.
- Heat treatment cycles are monitored by calibrated probes with automatic data logging. Any cycle that fails to reach target temperature is repeated.
Outgoing Quality Assurance
- Final inspection of every outbound load before release. Random spot-check of 5% of pallets per load against the ordered grade specification.
- Load counts verified against order documentation. Pallets are staged for photos before loading for order verification records.
- Customer satisfaction follow-up within 48 hours of delivery. Any quality issues are logged, investigated, and corrected immediately.
Continuous Improvement
- Monthly quality metrics review: non-conformance rate, customer complaints, return rate, and grading accuracy. Target: less than 1% non-conformance.
- Annual third-party quality audit by an independent inspector. Results shared with customers upon request. Passed every audit since 2018.
- Employee suggestion program for quality improvements. Best ideas are implemented and the contributing team member is recognized and rewarded.
Stronger Together
Partnerships & Affiliations
We believe in building strong relationships across the industry. Our partnerships and affiliations strengthen our capabilities, expand our reach, and keep us at the forefront of industry best practices.
NWPCA (National Wooden Pallet & Container Association)
Active member since 2016. We participate in annual conferences, utilize the Pallet Design System (PDS) for custom engineering, and follow their Uniform Standard for quality. NWPCA membership gives our customers confidence that we follow industry best practices.
Oregon Forest Industry Council
Member of this coalition representing Oregon forest products businesses. We advocate for sustainable forestry practices, responsible wood utilization, and policies that support the circular economy of wood packaging materials.
Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce
Active participant in the local business community. We attend networking events, mentor small businesses, and participate in economic development initiatives. Our growth supports local employment and contributes to the Lane County economy.
University of Oregon Sustainability Program
We host interns from the UO Environmental Studies program, provide guest lectures on circular economy business models, and collaborate on research projects related to wood waste diversion and carbon accounting methodology.
Lane County Waste Management Advisory
We serve as an advisor to Lane County on commercial wood waste diversion strategies. Our expertise helps shape local recycling policy and educates other businesses on sustainable waste management practices.
Pacific Northwest Logistics Association
Membership in PNLA connects us with transportation companies, warehouse operators, and supply chain managers across the region. This network helps us identify pallet sourcing and distribution opportunities efficiently.
Become Part of the Story
Partner with the West Coast's Most Trusted Pallet Recycler
Every pallet you buy from us is a pallet saved from a landfill. Join hundreds of businesses that have made the switch to smarter, greener pallet sourcing.
1875 W 6th Ave, Eugene, OR 97402 · Mon–Fri 7 AM–5 PM · Sat 8 AM–12 PM