Where To Sell Cardboard Bales?

If your business has a lot of cardboard waste, it’s a good idea to get a baler. This is beneficial to you because it helps free up space by reducing the number of bins you need as well as helping the environment. If you’d like to start selling your baled cardboard but you’re not sure where to start, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll explore where to sell your cardboard bales and how to do it in the right way to avoid problems. 

Who Wants to Buy Cardboard Bales?  

Recyclers want a plentiful supply of good quality cardboard bales however, the weight, volume and quality of your bales will impact on the price they are willing to pay. Due to the rising energy and fuel prices, in theory a local recycling business will have cheaper transportation costs and so should offer the best prices however, in practice this is not always the case. 

Once you’ve identified some recycling businesses, you can contact them to find out if they’d be willing to buy your bales from you and what they are willing to pay. It’s also important to find out things like what type of cardboard they want and what size they would need your bales to be. Companies will have differing requirements and different vehicle sizes for collection so it’s best to find out as much as you can to avoid running into issues. 

Why Do Companies Buy Cardboard Bales? 

So they can recycle it by turning it into new cardboard. When your bales reach the recycling centre, they’re sorted, pulped, cleaned and wood chips are added. Some companies may offer to collect your cardboard loose, but in our experience you’re likely to achieve a better rebate if it is baled.

What To Look Out for When Selling Cardboard Bales

Whilst the process of creating bales is easy, finding the right company to collect them may not be as straightforward. Here are some things to consider:

Choose a Reputable Company

If you search on the internet for ‘cardboard recycling’ or ‘who buys cardboard bales near me’, you’ll be met with a dizzying number of results. You’ll need to thoroughly filter these companies and conduct due diligence to ensure you only choose a reputable and reliable company. If space at your premises is restricted, you’ll need to ensure you find out about their vehicle size, how the bales will be loaded onto the lorry and whether they require full or partial loads. You’ll also need to find out what documentation you will receive when the scrap cardboard is collected and how you will be paid.

You can take the guesswork out of choosing a bale collector by getting a recommendation from your cardboard baler supplier. 

The Quality of Your Cardboard Bales

You need to make sure your bales are free from contaminates that could hinder the recycling process like bits of food, paint, Styrofoam packaging, glitter, fabrics, and metallic sequins. Some paper and cardboard may be lined with polyethene, and this is seen as a contaminant too. If there’s anything in the way, then the recycling facility can refuse to take it from you altogether, so it’s best to check it’s all as clean as possible. 

The Moisture Content of Your Cardboard Bales

Companies won’t like if you give them wet cardboard because it’s not recyclable, so you’ll need to it as dry as possible. For ease of movement and to prevent moisture from creeping in, we’d recommend that you place your baled material onto a pallet. This is because water weakens the fibres in the cardboard, making it less valuable. It can also clog up machinery too. You also need to listen to a company’s requirements closely as well. For example, if they don’t want paper mixed into your bales, then make sure you don’t do this. 

Cardboard Bale Standards

You’ll need to think about whether you can meet the requirements of your chosen bale collector. They may have certain requirements for bale size, quantity and the material used to bundle the loose cardboard together. A collector who is only willing to collect bales in full loads is unlikely to be a great match for a business with limited storage space for their bales.

Understanding What Your Cardboard Bales Are Worth  

In the UK, clean cardboard can be very valuable but like any commodity, the price will fluctuate over time. The exact price of your bales will depend on factors like your location, bale quality, and the time of year. Understandably, the largest producers of scrap cardboard in the UK have the potential to receive the best returns from selling it. This is because they can produce mill size bales and have sufficient space to store them so they can be collected by a recycling company in full loads.

How Do I Start Producing Cardboard Bales?

To create bales, you need a cardboard baler. If you’re currently using bins to dispose of your unwanted cardboard, then our balers can reduce your waste volume by up to 85%. We have over 25 years experience and are a leading supplier of cardboard balers in the UK so you know you can put our trust in us. We have a range of high quality and robust balers to hire or buy with small to bigger machines available. If you’re based in mainland UK, we can give you a free trial to make sure you get the right machine for your business.