Renting vs. Buying Recycling Equipment

When deciding whether to rent or buy recycling equipment such as a baler, you’re going to have to do some thorough research. This is because many factors will determine what the best choice is for your workplace. Be sure to check you have checked for any additional delivery, installation and maintenance costs because if you don’t factor them in, you could end up with an unexpected invoice.

What are the Benefits of Renting Recycling Equipment?

Before we start with the benefits, it’s important for you to know that many companies offer hire services but be sure to check the small print to find out what is and isn’t included in the monthly cost. In addition to this, check whether the company offers a hire service to your postcode, as not all providers operate nationwide.

Lower Upfront Costs

Purchasing recycling machinery can be expensive, especially if you’ve decided you need a high-spec model. If you don’t have the available funds for a large upfront payment, renting is something that should be considered. You could choose to rent a new or a refurbished model, with the latter less risky if you’ll also be supplied with free breakdown support as part of the contract. Whatever you decide, always check your business insurance to find out whether you need to extend your cover prior to delivery.

Reduced Maintenance Costs

All mechanical recycling equipment in a workplace must be routinely serviced. To help with your budgeting and minimise equipment downtime, choose a supplier who will provide you with fully warrantied maintenance, inclusive of annual servicing, call outs, parts and labour. This means that if any issues do occur in the future, they can be dealt with quickly and without any additional costs to you.

Future-proof

When businesses grow, they’re likely to produce more commercial waste. For example, an increase in orders may result in more stock being purchased which results in more cardboard box waste needing to be baled. For this reason, a company may quickly find themselves needing equipment with a larger capacity to help them manage their waste more efficiently. Our advice is to choose a rental service that allows you to swap your equipment mid-contract without needing to wait until the initial rental period has elapsed.

Free Operator Training

Understandably, it’s in the interests of the rental provider to ensure that you are using the equipment properly which is why many provide free upfront training. However, you do need to be mindful that current employees are likely to need refresher training in the future so choosing a hire company that will support you with free ongoing operator training for all employees is a sensible choice. Don’t forget you’ll also need to consider RAMS which is why choosing an established supplier is best.

Benefits of Buying Recycling Equipment

If you want full ownership of your equipment, you’ll need to buy it. There are many benefits to buying which are detailed below. If you do decide this is the best option, remember when you’re negotiating a purchase price with the seller to find out whether you’ll also get free delivery, free installation and a warranty for extra peace of mind.

Long-Term Cost Savings

If you rent for a long time, it can sometimes end up being more expensive than if you decided to buy it upfront. If you know you’ll need a recycling machine for the foreseeable future, making the initial investment to buy it outright can save you money in the long run. Choosing refurbished equipment is a way to reduce lower your upfront costs. But as with any used equipment, it’s a case of buyer beware. Choosing an established, recommended supplier with good reviews can give you more reassurance.

Asset Ownership

In an unpredictable world, owning rather than renting equipment can give you extra security which is important if it’s a crucial part of your daily operations. With ownership, businesses can use their recycling machine in a way that works best for them without being tied to the terms and conditions set out in the rental agreement. For example, you can make modifications to it to improve efficiencyand choose who will service it for you.

Access Funding

Government schemes and some local authorities offer grants and support to businesses to invest in new equipment. You’ll need to make some enquiries at the time of your purchase to check what support is available and whether you and the specific equipment you have in mind will qualify.

Recycling Equipment to Buy or Rent from QCR

Whether you decide to rent or buy, choosing a reliable supplier for your equipment is crucial. QCR Recycling Equipment have been supplying high quality cardboard balers, compactors, crushers and shredders to businesses in the UK since 1999. Because we offer both hire and purchase options, our team can give you free impartial advice on which option is best for your business.