How Cardboard Balers Help Small Businesses Become More Sustainable

There are many steps that small businesses can take to be more sustainable. In a challenging economy, the easiest changes to make are those that not only boost sustainability, but also help to improve profitability. Baling cardboard is an example of one change that a small business can make to help the environment that can also help to save money.

What is a Cardboard Baler?

This machine compacts cardboard box waste into bales. It does this by using powerful hydraulic or pneumatic forces upon a compression plate. The bales produced are more efficient to transport to a recycling facility than un-baled waste making it better for the environment and cheaper for the waste collection company.

Environmental Benefits of a Cardboard Baler

Waste collection vehicles contribute to greenhouse gas emissions that get trapped in the atmosphere, heating the earth up. If all small businesses compacted their own cardboard waste, fewer waste collection vehicles would be needed. Therefore, installing a cardboard baler can help to reduce the carbon footprint of your business.

How Cardboard Balers Can Save Small Businesses Money

Businesses are always looking for new ways to save money. Installing a baler is a clever way to do this. Here are some of the reasons why:

• Not recycling your cardboard is expensive for small businesses due to landfill tax
• By diverting box waste away from commercial bins, your business can cut the number of bins needed. These areas can then be used for something more important which can improve your company’s operations
• Cardboard compactors squash box waste quicker than a person can do manually which is especially important due to increasing wage costs
• You may be able to make money from selling bales of cardboard if your business produces lots of waste. Recyclers will be willing to buy them, but the exact price depends on many market factors. Some companies will have certain requirements so it’s always best to get advice.

How Cardboard Balers Help with Sustainability

Businesses can reduce their carbon footprint by using a cardboard waste compactor. The money saved by reducing the bins you pay to be emptied can be re-invested in other sustainable equipment for your business. Being sustainable helps build a positive reputation for your business and can motivate your staff to be more environmentally aware whilst at work.

How to Choose the Right Cardboard Baler Your Small Business

This will depend on a number of factors:

1. How much cardboard waste your business produces

Balers vary in size so you’ll need to find one to match the dimensions of your most frequently disposed of box waste to maximise efficiency.

2. How much space you have

Not only do you need space for your baler you’ll also need a dry area to store the bales in. A vertical machine is a good choice for those premises that are tight on space. Also consider where you will keep your spare rolls of baler banding and a bale lifting trolley if you decide to use one.

3. Where it will be installed

Most small cardboard compactors have hinged doors therefore you need to be mindful of where it will be located so you can operate it safely. You’ll also need to locate it close to an electrical socket if you decide to choose a hydraulic machine.

4. If your business is likely to grow.

If it looks like you’ll produce more commercial waste in the future, hiring a machine might be better than purchasing. This way, you can upgrade to a larger one if needed. At QCR, you can upgrade the size of your machine mid-contract if needed with no penalties. You’ll also need to think about operator training if you’re likely to employ more staff in the future.

5. The budget you have

Many smaller businesses may have a cap on how much they want to spend. This can be overcome by considering a refurbished machine or choosing to hire instead of purchasing it outright.

6. Maintenance & Servicing

Small businesses may not have the time or the expertise in order to maintain your machine therefore it is important to buy or hire from a company that can support you with this

Get all the Advice You Need From QCR

Here at QCR, we’re a leading supplier of cardboard recycling machinery for the workplace in the UK. We have a wide range of cardboard balers available for purchase or rent on our website. If you have other types of waste, we have solutions for those too including plastic, polystyrene, glass bottles, paint cans and empty drums. Our expert team are happy to provide advice and answer any questions you have. With no obligation to purchase or rent, we can do a confidential visit for free to your site. We’ll be able to offer a free machine trial in most cases so you can decide if it meets your expectations. With over 25 years of experience, we’re also Safe Contractor accredited.