Pallet program for a big-box retail store

Most pallets at a big-box store arrive from its own DC and can go back on the next truck. The leftovers are direct-store deliveries on one-way or pooled pallets. Backhaul what the DC takes, return pooled pallets to their owners, and use a reuse pickup for the rest instead of the compactor or dumpster.

Last reviewed October 27, 2026 by repallet.org editors. Editorial policy

Where the pallets come from

DC deliveries; direct-store vendor deliveries.

Mostly DC-owned or pooled; a minority of one-way vendor pallets.

Storage and handling

A fenced pallet corral at the dock, split into backhaul, pooled and other.

Program checklist

Confirm which pallet types the DC takes back on backhaul.
Separate pooled pallets for owner collection.
Arrange a reuse pickup for leftover one-way pallets.
Keep pallets out of the trash compactor entirely.

What to track

Pallets backhauled per week
One-way pallets picked up for reuse
Pallets in the dumpster (target: none)

Model it

The Pallet Fate Report opens with a starting mix for a big-box store. Replace it with your own counts; the figures are an illustration, not a benchmark.

Model this in the Pallet Fate Report

Get your pallets picked up for reuse

If you have whitewood pallets leaving a business, you can ask for a reuse pickup. Pooled pallets (CHEP, PECO, iGPS) go back to their owner instead; the form points you to their return route.