Eco-Friendly Waste Management: How Cardboard Balers Reduce Environmental Impact

In an era that’s dominated by heightened environmental consciousness, there's a pressing need for all businesses to reduce waste and increase levels of recycling. Reviewing the way your business handles its cardboard waste is a relatively easy way to get started. Whether you currently use skips or 1100 litre DMR bins (dry mixed recyclable bins), read on to find out how using a cardboard baler instead could save you money, time and space whilst also enhancing your eco-credentials.

What Happens to Cardboard When It Is Recycled?

After collection, the cardboard is taken to a Recycling Facility where it will undergo a series of stages. It is first soaked and pulped, breaking down its fibres. Contaminants like dyes, glues, and staples are then removed. Once cleaned, this pulp undergoes processing, eventually leading to the creation of new cardboard items. This cyclical process conserves vital resources, such as trees and energy, and substantially reduces the need for new raw materials.

How Can Cardboard Balers Help Businesses Recycle Used Cardboard?

Balers are the unsung heroes of the cardboard recycling. Their primary function is to compress and bundle vast quantities of used cardboard, making it more manageable to store and efficient to transport. By using a baler at your workplace:

1. The entire recycling process becomes streamlined
2. Cardboard waste is kept uncontaminated, ensuring its viability for recycling
3. Storage of large quantities becomes feasible, even in limited spaces

Should I Use a Cardboard Baler or Compactor for my Cardboard Waste?

Choosing between a baler and a compactor depends on your end goal.

Compactors are generalists, compressing all types of waste to minimize space however, to make the largest cost savings for your business you must remove your cardboard from your general waste bins and bale it.

Cardboard balers are specialists. They not only reduce the volume of cardboard waste but also transforms it into a format that Recyclers prefer. divert cardboard waste from being contaminated and ending up in landfill.

For any entity seriously considering cardboard recycling, balers are the clear choice.

How Much Cardboard Can My Baler Compact?

The holding capacity of a cardboard baler hinges on its design and dimensions. Small balers might cater to 50-100 kg worth of cardboard boxes, while larger mill size variants can compact much high quantities. To achieve the maximum efficiency benefit of having this equipment you want to be able to place the cardboard box inside the baler whole (instead of having to flatten it first) so it’s important to consider the typical size of the cardboard boxes you wish to bale as some balers have different size/shaped chambers.

What types of Cardboard can be Recycled?

Cardboard doesn't have a definitive expiration date for recycling. However, quality is paramount. Over time, if cardboard becomes excessively soiled or deteriorates, recycling facilities might reject it. Dampness, food residues, or other contaminants compromise the integrity of recycled cardboard, making it less efficient to process. To maximize recyclability, always store waste cardboard in a dry place and keep it as clean as possible.

The Benefits of Cardboard Balers for the Environment

1. Reduced waste collections: By baling cardboard into dense bales, the frequency of waste collections diminish. This leads to fewer vehicles on the road, translating to a drop in carbon emissions.
2. Reduced landfill tax costs: As more cardboard is recycled and less ends up in landfills, businesses can witness a significant dip in their landfill tax liabilities, fostering a more sustainable financial model.
3. Less business bin space being used: The space efficiency of baled cardboard cannot be overstated. Businesses can utilize the space saved for other crucial operations, optimizing their resources.
4. Easier to achieve recycling targets: Equipped with a baler, businesses find it more straightforward to reach their recycling goals. Cardboard balers can often also be used for plastic waste expanding the number of materials you can recycle rather than send to landfill. This not only helps in compliance but also bolsters their green credentials.
5. Saving Trees: Utilising a cardboard baler allows you to recycle higher volumes of cardboard, which in turn helps you to save trees as the cardboard and other paper-based materials are made from tree pulp.
6. Reduce your carbon footprint: You can lower your carbon footprint, by reducing the frequency of bin collections. In many cases you can dramatically reduce the number of bins you have on site.

Businesses that invest in a cardboard baler often witness a positive shift in their corporate image. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, companies that prioritize sustainable practices often enjoy enhanced brand loyalty and trust.

Cardboard balers are more than just machinery. They symbolize a commitment to the environment, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future.