What is a Polythene Baler?

A Polythene Baler is a machine used to compact polythene waste into bundles known as bales. Balers play an important part in helping businesses to recycle and dispose of polythene waste responsibly and cost-effectively.

Understanding Polythene

Polythene (polyethylene) is a commonly used packaging material due to it being durable, flexible and lightweight. These characteristics make it ideal for packaging goods and also make it suitable for baling when it is no longer needed. When it's not compacted, lots of polythene waste can take up a surprisingly large amount of space in a commercial bin when it is thrown away. 

Why are Polythene Balers Used?

Polythene Balers are used by businesses in the UK to help them recycle polythene waste efficiently and cost-effectively. The most efficient way to recycle polythene is to put individual pieces of waste into a larger polythene bag before placing it into a waste baler. The baler works by mechanically compacting the large bag of waste polythene to a fraction of its original size. The condensed bales of waste are bound by banding or wires to hold it all together. Bales of waste can be collected in bulk by a waste recycling company.

Using a polythene baler enables business to reduce the number of recycling bins they need at their premises. By segregating polythene waste in a polythene bag and compacting it in a baler, fewer commercial bins are needed helping to cut overheads. Because the process of baling removes the air from the bags of waste, you can store a higher proportion of material in the same space. It also prevents the risk of it being blown around the workplace and across to neighbouring properties when it gets windy.

Polythene Waste Handling & Recycling

Businesses across the UK are looking at ways to reduce waste overheads and improve sustainability. Small operational improvements such as installing a baler, can make an immediate improvement to waste handling procedures at a business premises. From a financial perspective, baling polythene waste makes it easier and therefore cheaper for it to be collected for recycling. From a sustainable perspective, baled waste is more efficient to be transported because the air around it has been removed. This results in fewer vehicles needed to transport it to a recycling facility.

How to bale polythene waste

1. Segregate and bag the waste, ideally as close to the source of the waste as possible to maximise efficiency. Metal recycling bag stands make the bagging of the material easier because they support the bag and keep the polythene bag open.
2. Once the collection bag has been filled, it can tied and stored inside the baler.
3. When the chamber of the baler is full, the compaction process can be started. Only trained employees should operate a baler.
4. Repeat the process until the bale is completed.

How do you choose a Baler?

Many businesses, like QCR, offer free baler consultations so you can get specialist advice on the different types of balers that are available to hire or purchase. In general, most Polythene Balers can be used for baling cardboard waste too. Different sizes machines are available so you’ll need to ensure that the size of the baler you choose matches the waste you produce. A smaller machine may be cheaper, but you’ll lose out on efficiency gains if you can’t feed your waste straight into the compaction chamber. By contrast, choosing a machine that is too large for your needs will tie up cashflow unnecessarily.

Refurbished plastic balers offer a cheaper option if your budget doesn’t stretch to a new machine but it’s important to ensure you secure a warranty if you want aftersales support. Hiring a baler offers a number of advantages for businesses who are likely to need a larger machine in the future. The ability to swap to a larger machine without needing to wait until the smaller machine is sold can help cashflow. QCR Recycling Equipment are a leading baler hire specialist and are a good starting point for businesses who want to find out more about baling.