Surplus pallet collars pile up in a corner of the warehouse without anyone noticing. Goods arrive in collars, the collars stay behind, and there is no proper place for them. Many companies treat them as packaging waste, even though intact collars are in demand and you can sell pallet collars for money.
This article explains which collars can be sold, why the hinges matter more for the price than how the wood looks, how to sort the collars before collection and when the quantity is large enough to arrange a collection.
In short: an intact pallet collar with working hinges can almost always be sold. Condition is judged by the hinges, not by whether the wood has turned grey.
Collars fold flat, so when folded they take up about a fifth of the space they need when upright. That is why a collection is worthwhile at a smaller quantity than with pallets.
Why it pays to sell pallet collars you no longer need
There is constant demand for pallet collars because they are a standard product. The same collar fits all pallets of the same size class, and a used collar does the same job as a new one. That is why pallet collars are sold all the time, both new and used, and used collars in good condition have their own buyers. Selling them pays off for four reasons:
- The collars bring in money instead of you paying to dispose of them
- Storage space is freed up and the collars are no longer in the way
- The collars do not have time to deteriorate, which happens quickly when they are stored outdoors
- The buyer collects them, so your own work is limited to sorting and stacking
The same applies to pallets. If you have both in the corner, sell them at the same time so that everything is collected in one visit. There is more on this in the article what to do with old pallets.
Which pallet collars can be sold
A collar is a simple product: four boards and four hinges. That is exactly why its condition is quick to assess. The general rule is that a collar is acceptable if it folds and holds together.
| Check point | Can be sold | Cannot be sold |
|---|---|---|
| Hinges | All four in place and turning | Hinge detached, torn or missing |
| Boards | Intact, a small crack is acceptable | Broken board or rotten wood |
| Colour of the wood | Greyed wood is perfectly fine | Black or mouldy surface |
| Moisture | Dry or slightly damp | Soaking wet, heavy, smells of mould |
| Nailing | Tight, the boards do not wobble | Nails sticking out, loose joints |
| Shape | Folds straight and holds together | Warped, does not sit properly on the pallet |
Boards and nailing
A lengthwise crack is common and does no harm as long as the board holds together. A board broken across, on the other hand, sends the collar for repair. Grab the collar and shake it: if the joints creak and the boards move in relation to each other, the nailing has failed.
Moisture and mould
Moisture is a collar’s worst enemy, because it swells the wood and rusts the hinges at the same time. A slightly damp collar will dry out, but a soaking wet, heavy collar has usually been outdoors for a long time. A black or darkened surface and a smell of mould mean that the collar is not suitable for food or indoor use.
Plastic collars and special collars
Most of the collars in circulation in Finland are wooden, and they are standard goods. Plastic collars and other special solutions are a different matter: demand for them is lower and they circulate differently, so they are assessed case by case. The same goes for collars whose dimensions do not match any standard pallet. Put these in a separate stack and mention them separately in your quote request instead of leaving them out.
A more detailed checklist from the buyer’s point of view can be found in the article used pallet collars: what to check before buying. It is worth going through the same points when selling, because they are exactly what the buyer checks.
The hinges decide what a collar is worth
This is the most important difference from a pallet. A pallet has no moving parts, so its condition is the condition of the wood. A collar has four hinges, and they are its only moving parts. The hinges are also the most common reason a collar is rejected.
A hinge must be attached to both boards and turn without force. A loose hinge is not a problem, but one that has torn off is. If the hinge has been torn out of the wood so that the nail holes are left open, the repair needs a new board, not just a new hinge.
When you go through a batch, stand each collar upright and fold it. If it folds easily and holds together, the hinges are in good order. If a corner stays open, a hinge is loose or the nailing has failed. A single loose hinge does not make a collar worthless, but a hinge that has torn off does.
When pallet collars are bought from companies, this is the first thing that is checked. A practical tip: put collars with a hinge that has come off completely in a separate stack. They cannot be sold as they are, but it is still worth telling the buyer about them, because a larger quantity may be accepted for repair.
Sort by size before collection
Collars are sold by size class, and a mixed stack is always valued by its weakest collar. Sorting is the quickest way to raise the value of a batch, and it only takes a moment, because you can see the size at a glance.
| Size | Fits | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| 800 x 1200 mm | EUR pallet | Highest, the most common size |
| 1000 x 1200 mm | FIN pallet | Steady, domestic use |
| 600 x 800 mm | Half pallet and display pallet | Smaller, but established |
The differences between the sizes and their uses are covered in the article pallet collar sizes. If the collars are mixed up, it is enough to put them in three stacks by size.
Why collecting collars is worthwhile even in smaller quantities
With pallets, a collection only becomes worthwhile with a larger batch, because pallets take up a lot of space. Collars are different: they fold flat, so the same load space holds many times more of them. Folded, a collar takes up about a fifth of the space it would need upright.
In practice this means that a batch of a few dozen collars is already worth collecting when the collars have been folded and stacked in advance. If there are pallets as well, they are collected at the same time.
Space is also worth thinking about while the collars are waiting to be collected. A folded stack fits against a wall and is not in anyone’s way, whereas upright collars keep falling over and take up floor space in the middle of the warehouse.
How to prepare collars for collection
- Fold all the collars. A folded collar takes up a fraction of the space and at the same time shows whether the hinges work.
- Sort by size: 800 x 1200, 1000 x 1200 and 600 x 800 in their own stacks.
- Set aside collars with a detached hinge or a broken board. They are assessed separately.
- Remove any stretch film, strapping and tape left around the collars.
- Build straight stacks in a dry place, preferably indoors or under a shelter, on a base.
- Count the quantity by size and take a photo of the stacks so that the buyer can assess the batch in advance.
- Request a collection and mention at the same time whether there are also pallets to be collected.
The most common mistakes when selling collars
| Mistake | What happens | A better way |
|---|---|---|
| Collars are stored outdoors | The wood gets wet and the hinges rust, so the value drops quickly | Store them folded indoors or under a shelter |
| Everything goes in the same stack | The batch is valued by its weakest collar | Sort by size and condition |
| Collars are left upright | They take up many times more space and keep falling over | Fold them as soon as they are freed up |
| Broken collars are thrown away | You lose a batch that could be accepted for repair | Ask the buyer whether they are accepted |
| Selling a few at a time | A collection is not worthwhile and the offer stays low | Build up a batch or agree on regular collection |
| Collars are forgotten under the pallets | They are not collected and keep taking up space | State the quantity in the quote request |
Selling collars differs from selling pallets
If you have sold surplus pallets before, collars work largely in the same way. There are still four differences worth knowing.
| Item | Pallet | Pallet collar |
|---|---|---|
| What decides the condition | The condition of the wood and the structure | The hinges, i.e. the only moving parts |
| Space required | Always takes up the same space | Folds flat, takes up a fraction |
| Quantity for a collection | A larger batch is worthwhile | Even a smaller batch is worthwhile |
| Size classes | Several pallet types | Three standard sizes |
The practical difference shows most in the warehouse. A stack of pallets takes up the same space for the whole time it waits to be collected, whereas folded collars can be moved against a wall in a low stack. That is why collars should be folded as soon as they are freed up, not just before collection.
When not to sell your collars
Not all collars are worth selling, even if they are surplus right now. Keep the collars if any of the following applies:
- You ship goods in collars yourselves, so the collars go back into use with the next delivery
- You have an exchange or return arrangement in which the collars circulate with the customer
- Seasonal variation is large and the collars will be needed again in a few months
- The collars are part of export crates that you assemble regularly
In these cases it makes more sense to store the collars properly in a dry place so that they are in working order when they are needed. If the quantity grows beyond your own needs, you can sell the excess and keep the rest.
What affects how much you are paid for collars
The purchase price of collars is made up of the same factors as for pallets. The price is not fixed, because batches vary, but the factors are always the same:
- The condition of the hinges, which decides whether a collar goes straight on sale or for repair
- The size class, because demand varies by size
- The size of the batch, as a larger batch is more efficient for the collector
- How uniform the batch is, because a sorted batch does not need to be re-sorted by the buyer
- The collection distance and whether there is a forklift or other loading aid on site
You can influence all of these before you request a quote. Sorting and storing the collars in the dry are the easiest of them.
How to estimate how many collars you accumulate
Many companies are surprised by the quantity when they count their collars for the first time. The estimate comes from two figures: how many deliveries arrive in collars each week and how many collars there are on one pallet on average.
| Deliveries per week | Collars per delivery | Accumulation per month |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | about 16 collars |
| 5 | 2 | about 40 collars |
| 5 | 3 | about 60 collars |
| 10 | 3 | about 120 collars |
The calculation is rough, but it is enough to make a decision. Even on the middle rows, the monthly accumulation exceeds the quantity at which it is worth ordering a collection. If that figure is clearly exceeded, it is worth agreeing on regular collection instead of gathering the collars once a year.
You can also do the calculation the other way round: count once how many collars are in the corner right now and look at how long they took to build up. That tells you the same thing without guesswork and at the same time reveals how long the oldest collars have been waiting.
One-off batch or regular collection
If collars build up only once, a one-off batch is enough. If goods arrive in collars regularly, it is worth agreeing on ongoing collection. Then the collars do not have time to pile up in the way or deteriorate, and they bring the company income instead of costs.
The same arrangement usually works for pallets too. The steps of selling and the principle of ongoing collection are described in the article how to sell your company’s surplus pallets.
What happens to a collar after it is sold
A purchased collar is sorted, repaired if necessary and sold on to a company that needs collars. Repair usually means replacing a hinge or renewing one board. A collar that cannot be repaired is dismantled, and the wood is recovered as material or energy. The metal parts are recycled separately.
Collars are used, among other things, to build export crates. There is more on this in the article export crates from pallet collars.
Do you have surplus pallet collars? Suomen Lavacenter buys used pallet collars in all standard sizes and collects them with its own trucks within its service area. Surplus pallets are collected on the same visit. Tell us the quantity by size and the collection address, and we will send you a quote.
Sell your pallet collars to us or call +358 29 170 3899. See also we buy pallets and our contact details.
Summary: surplus pallet collars
An intact pallet collar is a valuable item, not packaging waste. Its condition is judged by the hinges, and greyed wood sells just as well as pale wood. Sorting by size and setting aside broken collars are the quickest ways to raise the value of a batch.
Because collars fold flat, a collection is worthwhile at a smaller quantity than with pallets. If collars build up regularly, ongoing collection keeps the warehouse tidy and turns a cost into income.
- Used pallet collars: what to check before buying
- Pallet collar sizes: the most common sizes and uses
- How to sell your company’s surplus pallets
- What to do with old pallets
- Export crates from pallet collars
- Pallet storage and safe stacking
Frequently asked questions
Do you buy used pallet collars?
Yes. Intact pallet collars with working hinges are in demand in all standard sizes. Suomen Lavacenter buys collars and collects them with its own trucks.
How can I tell whether a collar can be sold?
Fold the collar. If it folds easily and holds together, the hinges are in good order and the collar is acceptable. Greyed wood is not a problem.
Are broken pallet collars accepted?
Often yes, if the fault can be repaired, for example one loose hinge or a crack in a board. A hinge that has torn off completely or rotten wood is not acceptable. Put these in a separate stack and ask the buyer.
How many collars are needed for a collection?
You do not need as many collars as pallets, because collars fold flat and take up little space. A batch of a few dozen collars is usually already worth collecting, especially if there are pallets as well.
Do the collars need to be sorted before collection?
It is worth it. Sort them by size into 800 x 1200, 1000 x 1200 and 600 x 800 and set aside the broken ones. A sorted batch is valued more accurately, while a mixed batch is valued by its weakest collar.
Does the colour of a collar affect the price?
Hardly at all. Greying is normal ageing and does not affect durability. A black or mouldy surface, on the other hand, means that the collar has been wet.
How much do you pay for pallet collars?
The price depends on the condition of the hinges, the size class, the size and uniformity of the batch and the collection distance. A quote is always based on the batch, so state the quantity by size.
Do the collars need to be folded before collection?
It is worth it. Folded collars take up a fraction of the space, loading is quicker and folding also shows whether the hinges work. Fold the collars as soon as they are freed up, not just before collection.
Are collars that have been outdoors accepted?
Yes, if they have dried out and are not mouldy. A collar that is soaking wet, heavy or darkened has been outdoors for too long, and its value has dropped significantly.
Can pallets and collars be sold at the same time?
Yes, and it is worth doing. Both are collected on the same visit, which makes transport more efficient and the arrangements take less time. State the quantities of both separately in your quote request so that the batch can be assessed correctly.
How should collars be stored before they are sold?
Folded, in straight stacks and in a dry place on a base. A collar stored outdoors gets wet, the hinges rust and its value drops quickly. Even a simple shelter is clearly better than a stack in the open.
Are plastic pallet collars accepted?
Ask separately. Wooden collars are standard goods, but demand for plastic collars and the way they circulate are different, so they are assessed case by case. Put plastic collars in a separate stack and mention them in your quote request.
What happens to a collar after it is sold?
The collar is sorted, its hinge or board is repaired if necessary, and it is sold on for further use. A collar that cannot be repaired is dismantled, and the wood is recovered as material or energy.
Is it worth agreeing on regular collection?
Yes, if goods arrive in collars all the time. Then the collars do not pile up in the way or deteriorate outdoors, and they turn from a cost into income. Collection can be agreed either at fixed intervals or whenever an agreed quantity has built up.
Are pallet collars packaging waste?
Not if they are sold for reuse. Only what is taken out of use is waste. A collar that has been sold stays in circulation at another company.
