Safe projects from pallets

I discovered an app on my phone, DIY Pallet Craft Projects, which has some very interesting projects.

Essentially, the app isn't much, in the sense that it doesn't teach you how to execute the projects (or didn't I discover that). Instead, for inspiration, the photos are very interesting and can give you ideas for decorating your own home and beyond. The source of material is inexhaustible as long as almost every truck is carrying palletized goods.

For some technical tips you can use DIY Pallet Projects, which also has this kind of information. If that's not enough, do a search like "pallet projects" and you're sure to find some interesting ideas. There are real online communities where you're invited to show off your creativity and skill in your projects. There are even apps that present you with project ideas based on a few things you enter, such as the amount of pallets you have and plan to use, the skills you have, the time you want to spend on the project and the budget you would be willing to allocate.

But before starting any project involving pallets, attention should be paid to one important aspect. There are however industrial packaging exposed to various environments, moisture and bacteria. In addition to the quality of the wood and the degree of wear and tear, we should also be concerned about whether it has been treated with chemicals.

According to international standards all wooden packaging circulating internationally must be heat treated. Some, however, also require chemical treatment. They should be removed from any project, regardless of its purpose and utility.

The markings on the pallets are quality certifications that indicate the origin and treatment process of the wood and make it easier to choose the safest.

Markings to look out for:

• logo IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention) certifying that the pallets are produced from natural materials from safe sources and that they are treated using one of the methods authorized by an approved institution
• information on how to handle pallets: HT - Heat Treatment, MB - Methyl Bromide (pesticide treatment), DB - Debarked, KD - Kiln Dried.

There are also important details to keep in mind when pallets are to be finished with coating products. The finishing products may not be compatible with the substances already impregnated into the pallet wood.

As simple as Sunday's projects are, care must be taken with the quality of the pallets, more so than we think, to avoid the risk of having furniture "protected" with hazardous substances.