California pallet and wood waste rules
In California, possessing a marked merchandise pallet without authorization is punishable under the Penal Code (Bus. & Prof. Code § 22753), and junk dealers and recyclers may not buy pallets marked with an owner's indicia from anyone but that owner unless the seller shows a receipt or written authority (§ 21609.7).
Landfill ban Not yet verified
We haven't checked California's landfill ban rules against the law yet, so we say nothing about them. Ask CalRecycle.
Marked and pooled pallets In force
Marked (pooled or branded) pallet law. Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 22750, 22753, 21609.7
- A 'merchandise pallet' is a wooden or plastic carrier used for bulk transport of merchandise to wholesale or retail outlets and marked with an indicia of ownership: words, symbols or registered trademarks on its exterior that reasonably identify the owner. Bus. & Prof. Code § 22750(b) (source)
- Possession of a merchandise pallet by an unauthorized person, and obliterating the indicia of ownership except by the owner, are punishable under Penal Code § 489(b) or § 490. Bus. & Prof. Code § 22753 (source)
- A junk dealer or recycler may not buy marked bulk merchandise pallets from anyone other than the indicated owner, unless the seller provides a receipt from the owner or a document showing the owner authorized the sale; copies go in the transaction record. Bus. & Prof. Code § 21609.7(a)–(b) (source)
- For a single purchase of five or more marked pallets from a non-owner, payment must be by check mailed to the address on the seller's photo ID, or collected by the seller on or after the third business day. Bus. & Prof. Code § 21609.7(c) (source)
- A dealer may take good-faith possession of marked pallets the owner has not retrieved, must notify a locatable owner, and after 35 calendar days from that notice the owner is deemed to have relinquished them. Bus. & Prof. Code § 21609.7(d) (source)
Marked (pooled or branded) pallet law in California: full detail
Open burning Not yet verified
We haven't checked California's open burning rules against the law yet, so we say nothing about them. Ask CalRecycle.
C&D recycling Not yet verified
We haven't checked California's c&d recycling rules against the law yet, so we say nothing about them. Ask CalRecycle.
Who to ask
CalRecycle for state rules. Cities and counties can add their own disposal rules; check your hauler contract and local ordinance too.
Sources
- Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 22750 (definitions: merchandise pallet, indicia of ownership) California Legislature. Accessed October 27, 2026. Text read through the california.public.law mirror, which reports it verified against leginfo on Oct. 26, 2026.
- Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 22753 (unauthorized possession; obliteration of marks) California Legislature. Accessed October 27, 2026. Read through the california.public.law mirror.
- Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 21609.7 (junk dealers and recyclers: marked bulk merchandise pallets) California Legislature. Accessed October 27, 2026. Read through the california.public.law mirror.