Our Story
We started with a simple idea: every pallet deserves a second chance. From a one-person operation collecting discarded pallets off loading docks, we've grown into Tucson's largest recycled pallet supplier — and we're just getting started.
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Built on a Mission
In the United States, approximately 27 million tons of wood pallets are discarded each year. Many end up in landfills, where they take decades to decompose and release methane — a greenhouse gas 80 times more potent than CO₂ in the short term.
We saw an opportunity to change that narrative in Tucson. By intercepting pallets before they reach the landfill, repairing what can be saved, and recycling what can't, we keep valuable wood fiber in the supply chain and out of the waste stream.
Today, every pallet we touch is either reused, repaired, or broken down into useful byproducts like mulch, animal bedding, and biomass fuel. Our goal is simple: zero pallet waste.
By the Numbers
Our Journey
Humble Beginnings
Started as a small pallet collection operation in a single lot off I-10, reclaiming pallets destined for Tucson landfills. Our founder saw waste where others didn't — and turned it into a mission.
First Major Client
Signed our first large-scale contract with a Tucson-based food distribution company, supplying 2,000 recycled pallets per month. This partnership proved that recycled pallets could meet commercial-grade requirements at scale.
First Repair Facility
Opened our first dedicated pallet repair and sorting facility. Invested in grading systems that let us guarantee quality on every recycled pallet we sell.
Transportation Fleet
Launched our own delivery fleet to offer next-day pallet delivery across Tucson and Southern Arizona. Flat-bed and enclosed trailer options became available.
Heat Treatment Certification
Became ISPM-15 certified for heat treatment, allowing clients to use our pallets for international shipping. Opened the door to export-ready pallet solutions.
5-Acre Facility Expansion
Acquired and developed our current 5-acre facility in south Tucson, consolidating sorting, repair, heat treatment, and custom fabrication under one roof. Tripled our processing capacity overnight.
Custom Fabrication Shop
Added a custom pallet design and build shop, letting clients order pallets in any dimension with specific load-bearing requirements.
500,000+ Pallets Recycled Annually
Hit a major milestone — half a million pallets recycled in a single year. Expanded our buyback program and became the largest recycled pallet supplier in Southern Arizona.
Meet Our Team
Behind every pallet we recycle is a team of dedicated professionals who bring decades of combined experience in logistics, sustainability, and operations.
Marco Delgado
Founder & CEOMarco founded Tucson Recycling Pallets in 2010 after spending 12 years in supply chain logistics. Frustrated by the volume of usable pallets ending up in landfills, he started collecting and repairing pallets from a single lot off I-10. His vision of a zero-waste pallet economy drives every decision the company makes. Marco holds a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Arizona and serves on the Tucson Sustainability Advisory Board.
Sarah Jennings
Operations ManagerSarah oversees day-to-day facility operations, from pallet intake and sorting to repair scheduling and quality control. With 10 years in warehouse management and lean manufacturing, she streamlined our grading process to cut inspection time by 40% without sacrificing accuracy. Sarah manages a crew of 30 and ensures every pallet that leaves our yard meets strict grade specifications.
David Morales
Sustainability DirectorDavid is responsible for measuring, reporting, and improving our environmental impact. He tracks metrics across carbon emissions, water savings, landfill diversion, and tree conservation. A former environmental compliance officer for Pima County, David brings deep knowledge of Arizona environmental regulations and has led our efforts to achieve Arizona Green Business certification and maintain our zero-landfill policy.
Linda Chao
Fleet ManagerLinda manages our fleet of 14 delivery vehicles, including flatbed trucks, enclosed trailers, and our dedicated pickup routes across Southern Arizona. She optimizes delivery schedules to minimize fuel consumption and maximize route efficiency. Before joining Tucson Recycling Pallets, Linda spent 8 years coordinating freight logistics for a national carrier based in Phoenix.
Our Facility
Our 5-acre facility in south Tucson is purpose-built for high-volume pallet recycling. From intake to outbound shipping, every square foot is optimized for efficiency, safety, and throughput.
Pallet Sorting Area
A 20,000-square-foot covered sorting zone where incoming pallets are unloaded, visually inspected, and categorized by size, condition, and grade. Pallets move through this area on roller conveyors to minimize handling damage and speed up throughput.
Repair Shop
Our dedicated repair shop handles everything from single-board replacements to full stringer rebuilds. Equipped with pneumatic nail guns, board cutters, and reclaimed lumber racks, the shop restores an average of 800 pallets per day to sellable condition.
Heat Treatment Kiln
Our ISPM-15 certified heat treatment kiln processes up to 400 pallets per cycle, raising core wood temperature to 56 degrees Celsius for a minimum of 30 minutes. This makes pallets compliant for international export and eliminates pest contamination risks.
Custom Fabrication Shop
Need a pallet in a non-standard size? Our fabrication shop builds pallets to any specification — from small 24x24-inch platforms to oversized 72x72-inch heavy-duty skids. We work with customers to design pallets for specific load weights, stacking requirements, and racking systems.
Loading Docks
Four drive-through loading docks allow simultaneous inbound and outbound pallet movement. Forklifts load directly onto flatbed trailers and enclosed trucks, reducing turnaround time for pickups and deliveries to under 30 minutes for most orders.
Wood Chipping Station
Pallets beyond structural repair are fed into our industrial wood chipper, producing landscape mulch and biomass material. The chipping station processes up to 10 tons of wood waste per day, ensuring nothing reaches a landfill.
Community Involvement
We believe a business is only as strong as the community it serves. Giving back to Tucson isn't a marketing initiative — it's part of who we are.
Mulch Donations to Community Gardens
Wood from pallets that cannot be repaired is chipped into high-quality landscape mulch. We donate over 200 cubic yards of mulch annually to community gardens throughout Tucson, including the Dunbar Spring Community Garden, Armory Park, and the Mission Garden near the base of Sentinel Peak.
Recycling Education Workshops
Our team visits Tucson-area schools — from elementary through high school — to teach students about the circular economy, wood recycling, and how everyday logistics choices affect the environment. We've reached over 3,000 students since launching the program in 2019.
Nonprofit Partnerships
We partner with organizations like Tucson Clean & Beautiful, the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, and Habitat for Humanity Tucson. We supply free pallets for nonprofit storage needs and contribute reclaimed lumber for community building projects.
Annual Earth Day Cleanup
Every April, our team organizes a community cleanup event in south Tucson, collecting illegally dumped pallets and wood debris from vacant lots and roadsides. In 2025, we removed over 8 tons of wood waste from public spaces and recycled 100% of the material.
Awards & Recognition
Our commitment to sustainable pallet recycling has earned recognition from industry organizations, government agencies, and the Tucson business community.
Arizona Green Business Certification
Awarded by the Arizona Commerce Authority in recognition of our zero-landfill operations, resource conservation practices, and commitment to reducing carbon emissions across our supply chain.
Tucson Chamber of Commerce Member
Active member of the Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce since 2014. We participate in business networking events, mentor emerging green businesses, and contribute to the Chamber's sustainability committee.
NWPCA Member
Proud member of the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association, the industry's leading trade organization. Our membership ensures we stay current with best practices in pallet design, repair standards, and environmental compliance.
Pima County Waste Reduction Award
Recognized by Pima County in 2023 for diverting over 10,000 tons of wood from regional landfills in a single fiscal year, making us the top private-sector contributor to the county's waste reduction goals.
What We Stand For
Zero-Waste Mindset
Every pallet that enters our facility is evaluated for reuse. Boards that can't be rebuilt become mulch, animal bedding, or biomass fuel. Nothing goes to the landfill.
Local First
We source pallets locally, employ locally, and serve locally. Our supply chain stays within Southern Arizona, minimizing transportation emissions.
Quality Without Compromise
Recycled doesn't mean inferior. Every pallet is inspected, repaired if necessary, and graded before it leaves our yard.
Transparent Pricing
No hidden fees, no surprise charges. We price fairly and stand behind every quote we give.
Want to Be Part of the Story?
Join hundreds of Tucson businesses that have made the switch to recycled pallets.