Making a PALLET out of Recycled Plastic

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In this video, we take a bunch of recycled polypropylene that came from shredded DVD cases, and we extruded a load of coloured beams to create this recycled rainbow pallet! We actually didn't think this would be particularly strong, simply because the beams we made tend to have a lot of flex. However, once we'd assembled it all it was pretty rock solid!
As it is, it's not going to beat commercial pallets on simplicity and time to make. However, if something like this could be scaled up, then think of how much waste plastic could be used! Also, we are aware that plastic pallets exist already. However, these single-piece style pallets often break and are hard to repair. The beauty of this design is that each slat is replaceable.
Let us know what you think of this idea - we'd love to keep the conversation going in the comments. If you have any other ideas of things we could make out of extruded plastic beams, then leave your suggestions below 🤙🏽
#BrothersMake #TrashToTreasure #PreciousPlastic #RecycledPlastic #SaveTheTurtles #PlasticShredding #PlasticExtrusion #PlasticRecycling
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[@redo1550]

Awesome ! Thank you so much for the mention in the video gents . It’s quite strange for me seeing plastic that I shredded and that had been sat in my warehouses for many months made into something so cool. 👏 🙂

[@BrothersMake]

Thanks for supplying such an awesome recycled material 🤙🏽

[@chronischgeheilt]

Wouldn't it be cool if some day there would be a factory that just melts different kinds of beams and plates to buy for use in engineering and DIY?

[@BrothersMake]

Super cool!

[@HogwartsBasement]

Unfortunately people would then mass produce and make plastic to make these rather than recycle

[@CTCTraining1]

Hmm, there are plenty of plastic lumber companies out there today ... we just need a scheme to build trust that the material is actually recycled. Organic plastic anyone?

[@valw6410]

YES!!!!!!

[@user-gu9yq5sj7c]

@@HogwartsBasement The OP was saying there's people who want to get recycled materials to use. And that we should push for that, and for less new plastic to be made. There are some people pushing to ban single use plastics, and for natural materials. Like fast growing plants like bamboo, hempcrete, and bioplastics. Watch DW Planet A on that. There's already companies producing things from new plastic like you say. Watch NHK Japan Zero Waste. There's people who disassemble buildings and sell those parts as wood.

[@mildredthegoat8340]

Thank you for rescuing this pretty little pallet, and doing the right thing by letting it roam free with it's own kind, I hope it has many happy days with it's herd on the pallet farm!

[@RichardMartin]

As well as looking cool it’s a really good idea. At work when we ship to the US and Australia we have to use pallets that are either heat related or aren’t wooden. The plastic ones are usually moulded, so when they get broken they can’t be repaired. Yours solves that problem. If you can make these economically for you then I’m sure there are plenty of potential customers for them. We’ve been quoted well over £100 for an aluminium Euro pallet.

[@sidekicks1403]

i wonder if its heavier than normal standard ones

[@preciousplasticciledug6279]

@@sidekicks1403 wonder no more... Yes, they are heavier.

[@ladyaj7784]

Maybe it does cost, but if it lasts...

[@eugenetswong]

I'm surprised that there isn't such thing as a repair service.

[@Germknoedel]

Honestly, it looks so beautiful, I would just hang it on the wall as decoration

[@adriennesalazar2066]

Most of my life I’ve been just wanting people to really put their efforts into the changes that need to be happening in this world. And I just want to say how happy I am that you two are finding your success in this and making the world a better place with what you do. Slowly but surely it will happen because of people like you. My thanks and much love to you both! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤

[@BrothersMake]

Comment of the year 🤍🤍

[@Jazzatic2011]

I would be very tempted to buy mini coaster versions of these if you had them. Likely could melt the plastic pieces together

[@BrothersMake]

Such a cool idea

[@ickisthewolf]

Hell yeah! Those would be super cool! We saw a little mini wooden pallet at Dollar Tree yesterday, in their crafting section, & thought it would be useful as a drink coaster. Great minds really do think alike!😉👍🏻

[@SollersSrappingandDiving]

This would be an amazing idea, I got a mini pallet as a base for a beauty set once that I use as a coaster 👍these would look incredible as coasters!

[@_Hanover_]

Would love to have a tracking module attached to this pallet and have it send out into the world at large.

[@BrothersMake]

Nice idea!

[@johnbradford9235]

Excellent work yous guys 👏👏👏. That last bit you said, about how viable is it and the drawbacks with construction time, are precisely the missing part of the answer. But it's not missing is it. What is needed is a change in attitude from companies and organizations that could use these pallets to accept the changes affecting supply and demand, and find a new way to work with them. And that's the very same missing part of this entire environmental challenge the world over. There are now plenty of viable alternatives to choose from in all kinds of industry, but until humans in our entirety have accepted the facts and changed our ways for good, I fear we are still somewhat doomed. Yes, every little bit helps - and you two do way more than a little bit for sure - but we need big bits. Massive bits. Global bits in fact. And we need them now. Thank you brothers 🙏. 😎

[@BrothersMake]

You speak the truth! Unfortunately, convenience always seems to win

[@danellabarnes-penman1118]

What a brilliant idea. If someone were to find a way to automate making these with the abundance of plastic waste in the world, it would be fantastic! I just found y’all and am thrilled I did! ❤️

[@BrothersMake]

Thank you so much!

[@chikogota]

you need to search on japaness plastic pallets, got a couple of those laying around and they are much better than the ones on wood ( i live in a city where we have world wide port, so we got pallets from all over the world) dont know what type of plastic they are, but they are at least 2 types since one it is more solid for any type of use, and the other it is most used in food or ocean stuff, funny thing that both can handle big engines on them very good proyects and you were one of the projects that led me to start reusing plastic in different ways, keep on going

[@eugenetswong]

Thanks, brothers!

[@SollersSrappingandDiving]

That looked really good, there are so many ideas with such beautiful coloured beams. I'm picturing a big future challenge; a child's play area! This would make stunning fencing for it!! 🙂👍

[@BrothersMake]

Yes we have lots of ideas on how these could be used!

[@its_marc]

Might have known I’d find you in these comments Jo!

[@SollersSrappingandDiving]

@@its_marc haha hi Marc, yes this channel is right up my street 😄

[@M.A.S.Ked-Crusader]

Great idea guys, this could also make really cool outdoor furniture for a playground or something?

[@BrothersMake]

Yes! Great idea :)

[@HomerJade]

Well well well boys, nice to see you guys with another project here in KZbin land again. Been waiting for this one for some time and it was definitely worth the wait. I love all the colors, would like to see you guys infusing them (without the marbling) side by side for a box, a cool cutting board or a cheeseboard.

[@claytondewey3367]

That looks like a excellent way to make plastic boards. Would be great material for building the shelves and cabinets in my new garage. No paint would be needed the color is in the plastic.

[@wafflebeaver]

I think it’s just hard to make polypropylene useful… making it thicker into beams helps so it’s less brittle. Glad you guys are trying new things. What else have you thought of with recycling polypropylene? One thing I noticed is that polypropylene melts into molds a little easier. I guess it flows better, can pick up more detail & texture and doesn’t require as much pressure as HDPE. I was wondering if someone made a more durable takeout container that can be reused way more than the current containers

[@spookyed87]

Great Idea. And what about the weight of the pallet ?

[@monkeyboysworkshop]

Loved it lads! It’s not a bad shout having plastic pallets made from recycled waste 👊🏻☺️

[@BrothersMake]

Thanks Sam!

[@elmyra.jackson]

I greatly enjoy watching you guys work and the upcycle projects you create.😃

[@louise1681]

The quick release end was a great idea! I love the everyday needed things. I make lights out of recycled CDs. Thanks for another fantastic video 😊!!!!!

[@BrothersMake]

Yeah it makes things SO much quicker! Thanks for watching!

[@sidekicks1403]

a question about HDPE, how do u tell if its hdpe? like for the usual drink bottle, the bottom of the bottle says ♻1, does that mean the cap is ♻1 too? cuz the cap doesnt say anything

[@DawnDavidson]

That is easily the most gorgeous pallet ever!

[@nemoforvermore8085]

It's ideas like yours which makes me more hopeful about our future. Thank you very much!

[@Danielle-nz9tn]

This was a great idea and video, as all your ideas and videos are! I chuckled about the hipster comment. After living in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in NYC, I totally understand the obsession with “reclaimed wood.” I think re-using the massively abundant plastics is even a nobler mission, and you guys make really hip stuff with it! Kudos to you!

[@michellemills1681]

I'd use it as part of my vertical garden - ideal for a pop of colour during the colder months

[@BrothersMake]

Great idea!

[@valkyrie1066]

I was thinking about the next step too There is a LOT of outdoor furniture made of pallets. If it were made of this recycled material, I'm certain that it would be much more weatherproof and sturdy. Don't get me wrong, that's a gorgeous pallet! And I love your idea. I just extrapolated to the "hipster bar" thing. LOL

[@charlottecolley6966]

You guys have way too much fun!

[@kskollections2142]

That was totally freaking awesome!!

[@Asertix357]

Watching your videos is not only fun, but also informative. Have you ever considered selling HDPE ingots to the public? Either as base components for art projects, or as building blocks for kids? The marbling style you put on the blocks you produce fits into the oddly satisfying category.

[@user-gu9yq5sj7c]

Watch NHK Japan Zero Waste. There's people who disassemble buildings and sell those parts as wood.

[@cactuscrew338]

Honestly I would love to see one of those aesthetic pallet beds made with these funky bois as a base

[@redyfahrun]

I wish I could have a tool like the ones you use, my goal is to recycle all the plastic around my environment into useful things.to be an example because waste is the biggest problem in Indonesia

[@wagnersantana_]

Perfect job!

[@ConstantXplorer]

Quite fun and unique

[@GrazielleFatimaLima_gbaixinha]

WOW I can see it as bottle garden shelf 🤩, great work congrats!!!!

[@ItsLaurenE]

Once again you both have found a brilliant beautiful way of creating while recycling!

[@BrothersMake]

Thank you! 🌈😁

[@plasticpreneur5119]

Love to see what you create with our machines 🤯🙌🏼

[@JiggsysShed]

That is really cool

[@J1P2K]

I work at a meat packing plant where we use pallets. I was going to suggest this, but I see you already done it. I have seen different ways pallets are put together. When a pallet is too damaged to use, it is sent to have the good piece added to a new pallet. Also, can your pallet hold over a ton(908kg)?

[@Lefty312]

Would love to see you guys make a disc golf driver disc.

[@philsbbs]

great video and would be nice to see firm take this idea up.

[@jelmervanderzwaag2058]

Hi, love youre video's, Inspired me to design a longboard out of hdpe. I was wondering how thick such a board needs to be? (between the axles its about 800mm) could someone help me with this?

[@stephensmith3211]

I love you guys. Wish you all the best

[@garagemonkeysan]

Great video and project. Happy Pride.🏳️‍🌈 Mahalo for sharing! 🙂🐒

[@TheDistur]

I like seeing these larger scale projects. If we're going to make a dent in plastic recycling we'll need stuff like this for sure.

[@kathy2466]

You asked for suggestions about using dvds. Could you make wind chimes or tubes with holes for air chimes?

[@aaaaaaaaaaaaa13842]

next level : plastic pallets to build a cabin house

[@its_marc]

Hey guys, I make raised beds for gardens and allotments for a business and currently make out of wood but would love to get in to recycled plastic and dvd cases are probably much easier to find in bulk than bottle tops! Do you think they’d last well in outdoor environments though? I’ve watched many of your videos and of precious plastics etc but never thought to ask direct previously. Top work anyway 👍

[@y3ksubroto]

Hi Guys, Just came across your channel and from the first video I saw, I got super interested to see more of your videos . You guys are doing great work with this recycling & I really hope that if some company can do this on large scale. I have one suggestion / request for you. Could you, in your videos, mention about how much plastic scrap (weight wise) you used for making a recycled item ( in this case a pallet)? And can you do a comparison about how wood is required to make a wooden pallet....

[@TheDeepDiveLLC]

I've always thought about stuff like that and pill bottles... I live in a retirement community in Oregon. So there's a lot of old people buying drugs and a lot of young people buying weed. I don't condone it, but I'd take the bottles and use them for stuff like this, but if like to see how you guys use those orange pill bottles first. It would be a cool color too. If you would test this that would be helpful

[@mybasics7194]

Good manufacturing

[@ytuser4562]

Awesome how we’re getting really practical uses out of old plastic! Quick question though: how does the plastic properly fill the mold? The extruder pushes out hot plastic at the start, slowly filling the mold. But once that plastic cools, how can it keep moving forward with the hot plastic behind it? Like, if the plastic is continuously cooling as it fills the mold, and the only hot plastic is at the start, wouldn’t that cause problems? And like at 2:50 it looks like the plastic is still got at the end of the mold. How? Does that make any sense? Edit: and did you do anything special to make it slide so easily out of the mold?

[@eano2114]

Hey sooo... you guys should make an electric guitar.. that would be sweeeet

[@BrothersMake]

Nice idea!

[@gilly4133]

This is brilliant. I work at a factory in the UK producing millions of bottle tops a day, and these guys have inspired me and work mates to come up with ideas to use up scrap. The main problem in making parts like these would be time vs cost. I guess the cooling time is the big loss. A mould with water flowing around it would be an advantage. Watch this space 😁 Fantastic work guys

[@BrothersMake]

How does your factory handle their waste? If it’s of interest, we’d be happy to chat about taking your seconds/rejects for recycling 🤙🏽

[@gilly4133]

@Brothers Make we granulate our scrap and sell it to a local recycling firm. There are so many things we want to make now, thanks to you guys 😄 I'm trying to organise something involving yourselves. Hopefully we can sort it out at our end and get in touch with you soon. And yes, you can have some waste parts anytime.

[@ralfgerhardkuhn4235]

awesome guys!!... I will try to make some projects here in third world with that🙏🙏🙏

[@matttaylor1117]

I would like to see you bend the beams. Maybe make a round frame for a mirror or picture frame. Can it be heated with a heat gun and bent? Seems like it would.

[@cerwelt]

Your pallet is an absolute art piece. Again, auction the beauty off to raise funds for your channel.

[@lynnm6413]

Great project for pride month and the planet! Love it 💕

[@BrothersMake]

🌈🤍

[@robmcdonald8262]

I love the concept. And making this message available to everyone on KZbin. (You do know right the people already make recycled plastic pallets all over the world already tho?)

[@wasthereasimplertime2618]

Eys brothers, im thinking of doing a recycling setup in my town soon. 🤔 I believe making 4×4 sheets of plastic in different thicknesses will be an item that people would be interested in. Many people use plywood for outdoor applications but i believe this could be a more long term solution.

[@glenmccall8854]

Are you in the US?

[@wasthereasimplertime2618]

@@glenmccall8854 N.S. Canada.

[@AlishaN-yh5nf]

That would be grate if could get dun on coversheet scale!

[@kartisleal8890]

I'd like to see you guys make a full size car dash. perhaps a 97 mazda 626.

[@MrVanysteroy]

Good!

[@alisonsavill8191]

You could make something with the rainbow blocks an art piece

[@Braam_Bence]

I am not sure if it would work but if you could make a car body of some of the body panels would be cool what do you guys think🤔🤔 And I really enjoy your videos

[@BrothersMake]

That would be a cool project! Thanks for watching

[@alisonsavill8191]

You should put per-specs on top and coloured lights in between put legs on it a cool coffee table

[@BrothersMake]

We try to avoid using Perspex as it’s a virgin product. But that’s a cool idea!

[@miles67733]

They already have plastic pallets here in the us, but they appear to be made by a giant mold. (injection maybe?) Not sure if they are virgin plastic or recycled either.

[@DJWildBillSC]

Would love to see a plywood style sheet of this

[@AnthonyBowman]

Somewhere, a wild Jackman feels his ears tingling.

[@BrothersMake]

😂

[@elliemcmurray9035]

You should do this again with a color gradient on each beam

[@BrothersMake]

We're actually going to be making a gradient bench soon!

[@llIIllIlIIllX_XIillIIllIIllIll]

hey, for the penini method , is it safe to still use the penini for sandwitches ?

[@mavigogun]

I wonder- might you prevent the surface reticulation by cooling the part under pressure?

[@MachineEarth]

Just found this video and didn't go through all of the comments. But could you join the planks using a small portable extruder (like a 3d pen) to inject plastic into the holes?

[@projectrebuild908]

Hey guys great video. could the whole thing be extruded in one big pallet mold.

[@christopherinteriors6521]

I am planning on making some furniture from pallets. Will you leave this outside your workshop please 😂

[@raquelmazzetti-mf3rf]

exelente ojala todos colaboremos

[@hazardkentuckyfishing9897]

Great videos guys, can’t wait to see this one in 2 hours

[@MisterBearKorpo]

Fantastic! Have you tried building something out of "soft plastics" (flexibles) - such as labels and sachets? I've been searching the net and can't really seem to find anything.

[@BrothersMake]

We have videos on this! And one more dropping tomorrow 👍🏽

[@MisterBearKorpo]

@@BrothersMake Oh great. I'll check out all the videos on your channel while waiting for the new vid to come out. Thanks for the reply.🙂

[@leandrogaldeano7731]

Bros! You are close to 200K subs Are you planning something special???

[@BrothersMake]

Really close! We haven’t planned anything - any ideas?

[@tinmanphysics]

Great video, thanks for sharing your idea. What temperature did you set the extruder at to extrude the PP?

[@BrothersMake]

It was set to 230 C

[@littlepockets4959]

its cool, but i think I would have turned it into a funky coffee table

[@WvlfDarkfire]

I need this for business purposes. Honestly, if that could be produced at a reasonable rate it would be fantastic for this eco move we're going through

[@timc3686]

What extruder are you using? Where can I find out more about it?

[@kbtu1990]

Hi ! where did you buy this machine?

[@razzdumaz1588]

With a pallet next things possibly a above ground pooll kit

[@BrothersMake]

Nice idea!

[@niconeuman]

Have you tried mixing a plastic that is not easy to recycle in this way with polypropylene while extruding? Perhaps other materials even.

[@hannahalexander7005]

how do you keep the plastic from sticking to the metal tubing

[@liorsinger1]

Can you mix the PP with the HDPE? Or it will not work well?

[@fablabmakerhub]

Goes without saying I love the pallet. But I'd really like see how you shredded that many DVD boxes and where you got them in such great colours. Most of them I have are only black with the occasional red or green. Keep Making Brothers!

[@BrothersMake]

We have a supplier that we purchase recycled dvd shreddings from. We mentioned his Instagram handle in the video

[@philroberts7238]

@@BrothersMake But how did he get them in so many colours? Did he add pigment himself or were they originally made coloured?

[@BrothersMake]

Originally coloured! No pigments at all

[@mavigogun]

@@BrothersMake What was the cost of shreddings for this project?

[@mavigogun]

Why do you reckon the orange plank warped?

[@nade2628]

Did you make the extruder or purchase it? I would love to get my hands on one

[@Anne--Marie]

Maybe 46cm squares turned into a three or four tiered table?

[@anamariasanchez3818]

🇦🇷🇦🇷 muy bueno por favor la traducción en español Muchas Gracias 🇦🇷🇦🇷

[@pedrosoto8957]

Hello how are you? I also work with plastic recycling and would like to know where I can buy the extruder that appears in the video... greetings from Colombia

[@obertsiwila58]

I have liked the recycling program at home. But is it possible to obtain the machine you are using to make these products. You Know how plastic has polluted our mother Earth. I am impressed.

[@makosisibanda96]

Where can I buy that extruder machine for plastic here in UK

[@jbartsy1]

***QUESTION @ BROTHERS MAKE*** How would an artist apply the "3RRR", Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, plastic items to experiment with creating art, without immediately investing in all that machinery, you boys were using? I was especially inspired by the ability to melt down all that colourful plastic waste to make plastic beams and sheets to build structures with, and fingers crossed small, medium and large not intricate moulds. I guess I'm wondering if waste plastic of different types could be used in the same manner as thermoplastic when there's no need for intricate details, but as shapes to help fill areas or give an area bulk, to save the expensive art supplies. For example, in the hard structure inside of an air dry clay sculpture, the waste plastic wouldn't need any detail, it would need a close shape, I am wondering if the waste plastic if kept warm, would it stay pliable to continue to shape if one were to work quickly? Also using this waste plastic as structure inside cement sculptures? Would you two BROTHERS MAKE or anyone have any suggestions to help me first experiment these ideas on small scales to see if my ideas would even work? And where I would get info on how the different plastics work? Thand you for you inspiration and any ideas! Regards, JB giphy.com/gifs/recycle-reuse-reduce-9KcEKUTcGWiLB780R2

[@taylorjones3889]

Y’all should make phone cases

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

... Not so much as a structural industrial use pallet ,, but used for multitudes of decorative surface "things" ... throughout a home , especially childrens rooms ..

[@_guiborg]

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜💖