A Guide to Plastic Baler Rental

13th Sep 2024

Plastic Balers are a popular type of recycling equipment used by businesses. Most of us are familiar with how they operate: they mechanically compact loose plastic waste into secure bundles known as bales.

When it comes to hiring one for your workplace, there are some important factors you need to be aware of. This ultimate guide to plastic baler hire will equip you with the knowledge you need when hiring a plastic baler.

What is a Plastic Baler?

Plastic Baler A plastic baler transforms loose plastic waste into bales that are tied by baler banding or wires. Examples of plastic waste materials that can be baled include bottles, shrink wrap, polythene, sacks and bags. Compaction inside a baler significantly reduces the overall volume of waste when compared to disposal in bins.

What is Plastic Baler Rental?

Plastic baler rental (or hire) is a type of recycling equipment service where businesses rent a waste baler suitable for compacting plastic waste for a specific period. Rental is an easy way to futureproof your baler choice because it enables you to upsize or downsize your machine to reflect the needs of your business over time. Balers for hire are available in different sizes and with different levels of aftercare therefore it's important that you select the best service for your needs.

What’s Included when you Rent a Plastic Baler?

Plastic Baling Machine Reputable suppliers typically include the following elements within a plastic baler rental package:

Machine delivery, installation and commissioning
Machine servicing (including parts and labour costs)
Emergency breakdown cover
Staff training

What Isn’t Included in the Rental?

Baler wire and baler banding are sold separately. The type and size you will need is dependent on the machine you hire. Therefore, if you are unsure, always check with your supplier before you order.

Avoid Making These Errors on Your Plastic Baler Hire

These are some of the most common errors to avoid when arranging your hire:

Hiring the Wrong Size: Understanding your waste and ordering the most appropriately sized baler to match it is crucial for achieving the best ROI. An experienced supplier will be able to advise you on the right size for your needs.
Not Considering the Power Needs of Your Baler: Balers are available in air-powered or electrical variants. Naturally, these come with caveats: air-powered balers need a reliable supply of compressed air, and electric balers need a socket nearby. Avoid delays by choosing a model that matches the utilities available at your premises.
Staff Being Ill-Prepared to Operate It: All users must be trained therefore to prevent a backlog of waste, ensure you have a trained machine operator available on every shift. This may mean that you need to ask your supplier to provide training sessions for multiple members of your team so plastic waste doesn't build-up during holiday periods.
Forgetting About Delivery, Installation and Commissioning Arrangements: Check how much it will cost to deliver it to your premises, install it in your desired location and get it set-up to prevent hidden costs. Extreme caution should be applied when comparing quotes because some suppliers only deliver to kerbside.
Ignoring the Contractual Small Print: Check your contract to understand whether your hire costs rise each year with inflation.

What are the Key Benefits of Renting a Plastic Baler?

Hiring a baler is a proven procurement option for businesses looking to avoid the large upfront cost of buying a machine outright. It's also the best option for businesses that want to acquire a machine for a short-term project or for a long-term trial. The main reasons to consider hiring a plastic baler include:

Zero Cost Depreciation: Avoids the risk of owning baling equipment that may lose value over time.
Greater Operational Flexibility: By hiring a machine instead of purchasing one, you can return it at the end of the rental period without the hassle of needing to find a buyer.
No Machine Servicing Hassles: Most hire packages from reputable firms include servicing and breakdown cover as standard for additional reassurance. This avoids the task of finding a competent person to service it at regular intervals.

Why Bale Plastic?

Despite being lightweight, plastic packaging is often voluminous and springy therefore commercial bins are not always the most cost-effective method of disposal. Below are our top 5 ways that a plastic baler can benefit your business:

Operational Benefits: Plastic compacting machines can compress materials faster than a person can do manually which can boost workplace productivity. Balers installed near to where the waste is produced help reduce the time taken to transport waste material to an outside bin store.
Financial Benefits: Compactors for plastics can help your business save money on waste disposal. This is because they help you to divert plastic waste away from your bins. This could enable you to slim down your bins so you have more space to work with or reduce the frequency of your waste collections.
Bale Revenue Potential: You could make money from your plastic waste if you produce lots of bales. This is because many recyclers are keen to buy your bales of plastic from businesses. This can give your company a new revenue stream if you produce bales of their desired specification and in sufficient quantity.
Environmental Benefits: When done correctly, baled plastic waste is recycled instead of going to landfill. Sustainable waste handling procedures can help set you apart from your competitors, gain accreditation or win awards.
Deliver Economies of Scale: Balers are not just for plastic, they can also help businesses turn cardboard packaging into bales making them a multi-material waste handling solution. This can help you deliver a faster return on investment.

Plastic Baler Machine Selection Tips

Book a Free Site Survey: You don't need to pick a machine yourself. Any reputable baler supplier will visit your premises to understand your needs before quoting you on a machine.
Try Before You Buy: Involve everyone at your workplace in the decision-making process by booking a free baler machine trial before you commit.
Check Customer Reviews and Testimonials: Many suppliers will claim to be the best but comparing star ratings will give you an insight into have other businesses view them.
Check Supplier Credentials: Third-party health & safety schemes such as SafeContractor™ verify that a baler supplier meets strict health, safety and ethical compliance standards.

Why Choose QCR?

QCR Recycling Equipment are a plastic baler rental specialist in the UK. This is because our low-cost hire service includes free routine baler servicing and free ongoing operator training. It also includes free delivery to most postcodes in the UK. We’ll also supply you with the relevant documentation for your records. To make budgeting easier, prices are fixed for the duration of your contract. Plus, if you outgrow your machine during contract you can request to upgrade without needing to wait for your contract to end.