Marked pallet and plastic pallet laws compared by state
Eight states we have checked have laws protecting owners of pallets marked with a name or symbol, mostly by limiting who may buy or scrap them. These laws are why pooled pallets go back to their owner rather than to a recycler.
| State | Law | In force | Key point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | A.R.S. § 44-1799.81 | A 'bulk merchandise container' is a plastic or wooden carrier or holder used by a manufacturer or distributor to transport merchandise to wholesale and retail outlets, which covers pallets. | |
| California | Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 22750, 22753, 21609.7 | 2013 | 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. |
| Florida | Fla. Stat. §§ 506.19–506.28 | An owner of field boxes, pallets, crates or containers may record its mark or brand with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; once recorded, the mark and registration number on a pallet are prima facie evidence of ownership. | |
| Illinois | 815 ILCS 393 | 2013 | The act covers plastic crates, pallets and shells used for bulk transport or storage of goods for retail sale; a plastic pallet is a portable platform on which product is placed for handling. Wood pallets are outside it. |
| Kansas | K.S.A. 65-3428 | A 'plastic bulk merchandise container' is a plastic crate, pallet or shell used for bulk transport or storage of retail containers of milk, eggs, bakery items or bottled beverages; the statute does not cover wood pallets. | |
| Michigan | MCL 445.2071 et seq. (2012 PA 186) | 2012 | A 'plastic bulk merchandise container' is a plastic pallet, crate, container or shell used by a producer, distributor or retailer for bulk transport or storage of goods for retail sale; wood pallets are not covered. |
| Minnesota | Minn. Stat. § 325F.795 | A 'merchandise pallet' is a plastic carrier or container from 36 to 54 inches with a forklift entry, used by a manufacturer or distributor, with a permanently affixed notice naming the owner, stating that unauthorized possession violates state law, and giving a phone number or address. | |
| Wisconsin | Wis. Stat. § 134.405 | A 'plastic bulk merchandise container' is a plastic crate, pallet or shell used for bulk transport or storage of retail containers of bottled beverages. |
Sources
- A.R.S. § 44-1799.81 (plastic or wood bulk merchandise containers) Arizona Legislature. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- 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.
- Fla. Stat. ch. 506 (§§ 506.19–506.28: marked field boxes, pallets and containers) Florida Legislature. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- 815 ILCS 393 (Plastic Bulk Merchandise Container Act) Illinois General Assembly. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- K.S.A. 65-3428 (plastic bulk merchandise container sales) Kansas Legislature. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- MCL 445.2073 (Plastic Bulk Merchandise Container Act: definitions) Michigan Legislature. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- MCL 445.2075 (dealer duties; sale by an individual) Michigan Legislature. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- MCL 445.2077 (records) Michigan Legislature. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Minn. Stat. § 325F.795 (unauthorized possession of merchandise pallets) Minnesota Revisor of Statutes. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Wis. Stat. § 134.405 (scrap dealers) Wisconsin Legislature. Accessed October 27, 2026.