Recycled Wood Products from Pallets
When pallets reach end of life, we give the wood a new purpose. Mulch, animal bedding, biomass fuel, landscape timber, and more — nothing goes to waste.
Inquire About Recycled Wood Products
Whether you need bulk mulch for a landscaping project or biomass fuel for an industrial boiler, we supply recycled wood products in any volume.
The Second Life of Pallet Wood
At Ace Pallet Service, our commitment to sustainability goes far beyond selling recycled pallets. When a pallet has been repaired too many times to be economically viable, or when the wood is too damaged for structural reuse, we do not send it to a landfill. Instead, we process the wood into a range of valuable secondary products that serve industries from landscaping to energy production.
Our recycling operation at 7236 Murthum Ave, Warren, MI 48092 processes thousands of end-of-life pallets every week. The wood passes through industrial grinders, screeners, and sorting systems that separate it by particle size and quality. The result is a range of calibrated wood products suited to specific applications — from fine-ground mulch for residential landscaping to coarse-ground biomass for industrial energy generation.
This closed-loop approach means that 100% of the wood that enters our facility is put to productive use. Nothing is wasted. The environmental benefit is substantial: every ton of pallet wood we recycle is a ton that does not end up decomposing in a landfill, releasing methane, and consuming valuable landfill capacity. By choosing Ace's recycled wood products, you are directly supporting a zero-waste supply chain.
The Upcycling Process
From retired pallet to finished product, here is how we transform end-of-life wood into valuable materials.
Dismantling
End-of-life pallets are dismantled using automated pallet dismantlers that separate the boards from the stringers or blocks. Metal fasteners (nails, screws, staples) are extracted by industrial magnets and sent to metal recyclers.
Grinding
Clean wood is fed through horizontal grinders that reduce it to controlled particle sizes. Multi-stage grinding with screen changes allows us to produce everything from fine dust to 3-inch chips from the same source material.
Screening & Sorting
Ground material passes through vibrating screens that separate it by particle size. Oversized pieces are re-ground. Contaminants (dirt, rocks, metal fragments) are removed by magnets, air classifiers, and density separators.
Packaging & Delivery
Finished products are either bulk-loaded into walking-floor trailers for large orders or bagged for retail distribution. We deliver throughout Southeast Michigan and can arrange long-haul transport for large-volume customers.
Recycled Wood Products -- Detailed Specs
Mulch
Our recycled pallet wood mulch is one of our highest-volume products. Ground to a consistent 1 to 3 inch particle size, it provides excellent ground cover for landscaping, playground surfaces, garden paths, and erosion control applications. The natural wood color darkens attractively with weathering, and the mulch decomposes slowly over 2 to 3 years, returning organic matter to the soil.
We produce both natural (undyed) mulch and color-enhanced mulch in black, brown, and red. Color-enhanced mulch uses non-toxic, water-based colorants that are safe for residential gardens and commercial landscapes. All our mulch is screened to remove metal fragments and oversized pieces, and each batch is tested to ensure it is free of chemical contaminants.
Natural (Undyed)
- • Color: natural tan/brown
- • Particle size: 1 -- 3 inches
- • Weathers to silver-gray
- • Lowest cost option
Black
- • Carbon-based colorant
- • Color retention: 6 -- 12 months
- • Most popular dyed option
- • Contrasts with green foliage
Brown
- • Iron oxide colorant
- • Color retention: 6 -- 12 months
- • Natural appearance
- • Popular for residential use
Red
- • Iron oxide colorant
- • Color retention: 4 -- 8 months
- • Bold accent color
- • Popular for commercial landscaping
Availability: Bulk (by the cubic yard, walking-floor trailer delivery) or bagged (2 cu ft bags for retail). We supply landscaping companies, municipalities, garden centers, and homeowners across Michigan.
Animal Bedding
Fine-ground wood shavings from clean pallet wood make excellent animal bedding for equine, livestock, and poultry operations. Our bedding is ground to a uniform particle size, kiln-dried to below 15% moisture content, and screened to remove splinters and oversized pieces. The result is a soft, absorbent bedding material that controls odor, provides cushion, and composts readily after use.
We use only untreated, unpainted pallet wood for animal bedding production. No chemically treated (CCA, ACQ) or painted wood enters the bedding stream. Each batch is inspected for contaminants before grinding.
Equine Grade
- • Particle size: fine shavings (1/4 -- 3/4 inch)
- • Moisture content: below 12%
- • Dust level: minimized through screening
- • Absorbency: 3x weight in liquid
- • Composts in 60 -- 90 days
Poultry Grade
- • Particle size: coarse shavings (1/2 -- 1 inch)
- • Moisture content: below 15%
- • Higher bulk density for litter depth
- • Excellent ammonia absorption
- • Sold in bulk truckloads
Small Animal / Pet
- • Particle size: fine to medium
- • Kiln-dried to below 10% MC
- • Extra screening for dust removal
- • Compressed bales for retail
- • Softwood only (pine scent preferred)
Availability: Bulk delivery by the truckload or in compressed bales for retail distribution. We supply horse farms, dairy operations, poultry houses, and pet bedding distributors throughout the Midwest.
Biomass Fuel
Ground pallet wood is an excellent biomass fuel for industrial boilers, cogeneration plants, and wood-fired heating systems. With an energy content of approximately 7,000 to 8,500 BTU per pound (depending on moisture content and wood species), pallet-derived biomass is a cost-effective and carbon-neutral alternative to fossil fuels.
We produce biomass fuel in two primary forms: wood chips (1 to 3 inch pieces for stoker boilers and industrial furnaces) and hog fuel (mixed-size ground wood for large-scale energy applications). Both products are screened to remove metal and non-wood contaminants, and moisture content is managed to within customer specifications. Consistent particle size and low ash content ensure reliable combustion performance.
Wood Chips (Stoker Grade)
- • Particle size: 1 -- 3 inches
- • BTU content: 7,500 -- 8,500 per pound (dry)
- • Moisture content: 15 -- 25%
- • Ash content: below 2%
- • For: stoker boilers, industrial furnaces
Hog Fuel (Utility Grade)
- • Particle size: mixed, up to 4 inches
- • BTU content: 7,000 -- 8,000 per pound (dry)
- • Moisture content: 20 -- 35%
- • Ash content: below 3%
- • For: utility boilers, large-scale energy
Availability: Bulk by the truckload. We work with power plants, institutional heating systems, manufacturing facilities, and greenhouse operations that use wood-fired boilers. Our location in Warren, MI provides efficient access to customers throughout Michigan and the Great Lakes region.
Landscape Timber
Salvaged hardwood boards from pallets that are too worn for pallet reuse but still structurally sound can be repurposed as landscape timbers. These boards are sorted by species, de-nailed, and trimmed to consistent lengths for use in garden borders, raised bed construction, retaining walls, and decorative fencing.
Reclaimed pallet timbers offer a rustic, weathered aesthetic that is popular in residential and commercial landscaping. The hardwood species (primarily oak and maple) provide natural rot resistance that extends the useful life of landscape installations. Available in bundles sorted by thickness and length, or as custom-cut pieces for specific projects.
Compost Material
Fine-ground wood from pallets serves as an excellent carbon-rich (brown) input for commercial composting operations. The wood provides the structural bulk and carbon balance needed to complement nitrogen-rich (green) inputs like food waste and yard clippings. Our compost-grade material is ground to a 0.5 to 1 inch particle size that breaks down efficiently in windrow and in-vessel composting systems.
We supply commercial composting facilities, municipal green waste programs, and large-scale organic farming operations. The material is screened to remove metal and non-wood contaminants, and only untreated wood is used. Consistent particle size promotes uniform decomposition and produces a high-quality finished compost suitable for agricultural and horticultural applications.
OSB / Particle Board Feedstock
Clean, sorted pallet wood chips serve as feedstock for oriented strand board (OSB) and particle board manufacturing. These engineered wood products use chips and strands of wood bonded with adhesive under heat and pressure to create large-format panel products used in construction, furniture, and packaging.
We supply calibrated wood chips to panel manufacturers throughout the Great Lakes region. Our chips are processed to meet the particle size and contamination specifications required by each manufacturer. By diverting pallet wood into the engineered wood supply chain, we reduce the demand for virgin timber harvesting while providing panel manufacturers with a consistent, cost-effective raw material source.
Decorative Reclaimed Wood
The character of aged pallet wood — the nail holes, saw marks, weathering patterns, and grain variations — makes it a sought-after material for interior design, furniture building, and craft projects. We sort and prepare select pallet boards for the reclaimed wood market, providing material for accent walls, tabletops, shelving, picture frames, and artisan woodworking.
Each board is de-nailed, inspected for chemical treatment marks (treated wood is excluded), and sorted by species and character. We sell reclaimed boards individually, in curated bundles, and in bulk for commercial interior projects. The natural patina and imperfections of reclaimed pallet wood bring warmth, texture, and an authentic industrial aesthetic that cannot be replicated with new materials.
Popular with interior designers, furniture makers, DIY enthusiasts, and restaurants looking for rustic decor, our reclaimed wood offers an affordable and sustainable alternative to commercially marketed reclaimed lumber. Available for pickup at our Warren, MI facility or delivery throughout Southeast Michigan.
Sourcing & Processing Transparency
We believe customers have the right to know exactly where their recycled wood products come from and how they are processed. Here is a detailed look at our sourcing and quality control practices.
Where Our Wood Comes From
100% of the wood we process into recycled products originates from end-of-life pallets collected through our pallet recycling service. We collect pallets from warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturers, and retailers across Southeast Michigan. No demolition debris, construction waste, or treated lumber enters our recycling stream.
Every pallet that arrives at our facility is inspected before processing. Pallets with visible chemical contamination (spills, stains from hazardous materials), painted surfaces, or CCA/ACQ pressure treatment stamps are segregated and handled separately. Only clean, untreated wood enters the product streams destined for mulch, animal bedding, and compost applications.
Wood species in our recycled products reflect the species mix common in the Midwest pallet supply: primarily oak, maple, pine, and poplar. The exact species ratio varies by batch, but hardwood content typically ranges from 40 to 60 percent of any given load.
Quality Control Measures
- 01Inbound screening. Every pallet is visually inspected for chemical contamination, treatment stamps, and paint before entering the recycling line. Suspect pallets are rejected.
- 02Metal removal. Industrial magnets positioned at multiple points in the grinding and screening process extract nails, screws, staples, and other ferrous metal. We achieve metal contamination levels below 0.1% by weight in finished products.
- 03Particle size control. Vibrating screens calibrated to specific mesh sizes ensure consistent particle dimensions. Products that fall outside specification are re-ground or redirected to a different product stream.
- 04Moisture management. For animal bedding and biomass fuel, we monitor and manage moisture content through covered storage, kiln drying (for bedding), and moisture meters at the loading point.
- 05Batch documentation. Each production batch is documented with the date, source material description, and any quality test results. This traceability allows us to track any product back to its source material.
Bulk Pricing Tiers & Delivery Options
Recycled wood product pricing is volume-based. Larger orders receive better per-unit pricing, and we offer flexible delivery options to match your project scale.
Small / Residential
1 -- 10 cubic yards
Pickup at our Warren, MI facility or local delivery (10-mile radius). Bagged product also available for retail quantities.
Products: Mulch (all colors), landscape timber, reclaimed decorative wood
Commercial / Landscape
10 -- 100 cubic yards
Dump truck or walking-floor trailer delivery throughout Southeast Michigan. Scheduling available for staged deliveries to active job sites.
Products: Mulch (all colors), landscape timber, compost material, erosion control mulch
Industrial / Bulk
100+ cubic yards / truckload
Full truckload delivery (walking-floor or end-dump) anywhere in Michigan and surrounding states. Contract pricing for recurring monthly deliveries.
Products: Biomass fuel, animal bedding, OSB feedstock, compost material, hog fuel
Delivery Fleet & Logistics
We operate our own fleet of delivery trucks and maintain partnerships with regional carriers for extended-distance shipments. For bulk mulch and biomass deliveries, we use walking-floor trailers that enable fast, automated unloading at your site -- no forklift or front-end loader required on your end. End-dump trailers are also available for operations with open stockpile areas.
Free Delivery
Within 15 miles of Warren, MI for orders over 20 cubic yards
Same-Day Pickup
Available at 7236 Murthum Ave for orders placed before noon
Scheduled Routes
Weekly delivery routes for contract customers across Metro Detroit
Environmental Certifications & Standards
SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative)
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative is a North American forest certification standard that promotes responsible forest management. While our recycled products are made from end-of-life pallets (not directly from forests), many of the pallets we process were originally manufactured from SFI-certified lumber. For customers who need SFI chain-of-custody documentation for their sustainability reports, we can provide information about the original sourcing of the lumber in our supply chain.
Our recycling operation itself contributes to SFI goals by reducing the demand for virgin timber harvesting through material recovery and reuse.
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)
The Forest Stewardship Council certifies forests and forest products based on environmental, social, and economic criteria. FSC Recycled certification applies to products made from 100% post-consumer recycled material. Our recycled wood products qualify as post-consumer recycled content since they are derived from pallets that have completed their intended use cycle.
For customers with LEED, BREEAM, or other green building requirements, our recycled wood products can contribute to recycled content credits in your sustainability scorecard.
Michigan DEQ Compliance
Our recycling operation at 7236 Murthum Ave, Warren, MI 48092 operates in full compliance with Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) regulations for wood waste processing. We maintain all required permits, conduct regular air quality monitoring, and follow approved stormwater management practices. Our facility has been in continuous compliance since inception.
Carbon Neutral Biomass
Biomass fuel produced from recycled pallet wood is recognized as carbon-neutral under EPA and international greenhouse gas accounting frameworks. The carbon released during combustion was originally sequestered from the atmosphere during tree growth. For customers reporting under Scope 1 or Scope 3 emissions frameworks, our biomass fuel qualifies as a renewable energy source with zero net carbon emissions.
Creative Ideas for Reclaimed Pallet Wood
Beyond our standard recycled product lines, reclaimed pallet wood has become a beloved material for DIY projects, artisan crafts, and commercial interior design. Here are some of the most popular applications our customers use our reclaimed wood for.
Accent Walls
Install reclaimed pallet boards horizontally, vertically, or in a herringbone pattern on an interior wall for an instant design statement. The natural color variations between boards -- from warm honey tones to cool weathered grays -- create visual depth that no factory-produced paneling can match.
Farmhouse Tables
Thick oak pallet stringers make excellent tabletops when planed, joined, and finished. A single 48-inch stringer provides a solid plank that is wider and thicker than most commercially available table lumber. The character marks (nail holes, saw marks, minor checks) add authenticity to the farmhouse aesthetic.
Garden Raised Beds
Hardwood pallet boards stacked and screwed together make durable raised garden beds at a fraction of the cost of cedar or composite lumber. Oak and maple boards resist ground-contact rot for 3 to 5 years without treatment. Use only boards that have not been chemically treated.
Shelving & Storage
Individual pallet boards mounted on steel brackets create rustic floating shelves. The wood takes stain and finish beautifully, and the existing patina means no two shelves look alike. Popular in kitchens, home offices, and retail store displays.
Restaurant & Bar Decor
Restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops across Metro Detroit use reclaimed pallet wood for bar fronts, menu boards, picture frames, and wall art. The industrial-rustic aesthetic resonates with customers and aligns with sustainability-conscious brand values.
Picture Frames & Signs
Cut pallet boards into frame stock for rustic picture frames, welcome signs, and decorative plaques. The weathered surface takes paint, stencils, and pyrography (wood burning) well. A popular material for craft fairs and Etsy shops in the Michigan artisan community.
Interested in reclaimed pallet wood for a project? Visit our facility at 7236 Murthum Ave, Warren, MI 48092 to browse our selection, or call ahead to discuss your needs. We sell individual boards, curated bundles, and bulk quantities.
Environmental Benefits
The environmental case for pallet wood recycling is overwhelming. The U.S. generates an estimated 700 million pallets per year, and historically a significant portion of those have ended up in landfills at end of life. Wood in landfills decomposes anaerobically, producing methane — a greenhouse gas 80 times more potent than CO2 over a 20-year period.
By diverting pallet wood from landfills and converting it into mulch, fuel, bedding, and other useful products, we prevent methane generation, conserve landfill capacity, and reduce the demand for virgin timber harvesting. Every truckload of recycled wood products that leaves our facility represents approximately 20 tons of material kept out of the waste stream.
When our biomass fuel is burned to generate heat or electricity, it displaces fossil fuels. And because the carbon in the wood was originally captured from the atmosphere during tree growth, biomass combustion is considered carbon-neutral over the full lifecycle. This makes pallet-derived biomass one of the most practical and scalable renewable energy sources available today.
Wood waste diverted from landfill
Material recycled per truckload
Energy per pound of biomass fuel
Treated or contaminated wood in bedding
Natural mulch decomposition cycle
Close the Loop with Ace
Whether you need recycled wood products for your business or want to learn more about our zero-waste approach, we are here to help. Visit us at 7236 Murthum Ave, Warren, MI 48092 or get in touch online.