Cardboard Bale Question and Answer - Cawleys

My business produces a lot of cardboard - can I get paid for my cardboard waste?

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The short answer to this is YES.  However, there are some caveats.  In order to be paid, or you might hear gain a rebate, for your waste cardboard you need to be producing it in bulk and to gain best rates you need to be producing good mill sized bales.

What is a mill size bale?

A mill size bale is a bale of cardboard that is fit for transport to a cardboard recycling mill either in the UK or for export.  There are strict sizing and weight requirements.  Bales must be 100cm H x 120cm W x 80cm D and weigh a minimum of 400kg each.  This makes sure that when they are loaded onto the lorry or into the shipping container that there is optimum load weight.  They must also be wire tied rather than with tape or string.

How do I produce a mill size bale?

To produce a mill size bale you need a baler.  There are many different types of machine on the market but essentially they are either vertical or horizontal.  Only the largest producers will tend to use a horizontal baler because they represent fairly significant capital investment so the majority of companies will have a vertical baler.

That sounds easy – why isn’t everyone baling their cardboard?

It is easy but there are reasons that it might not suit your business.  Firstly you need to train members of staff to use the baler safely and efficiently.  Baling can be laborious as you have to hand feed the machine and make sure that the cardboard is the right size for the aperture.  It takes A LOT of cardboard to create just one bale.  Some companies producing larger quantities of cardboard will have dedicated staff members just to produce bales of card so this needs to be considered when working out your costs.  Secondly you need space to store the bales that you produce and ideally this should be under cover so that you don’t get penalised for high moisture content if they get rained on.  For some businesses they prefer to forgo the rebate and just pay a lower rate to have their cardboard collected loose because it is more convenient for them.

Do I have to pay to have my cardboard bales collected?

This depends on your supplier who may charge transport and then give you a higher rebate or they may absorb the transport cost but give you a lower rebate.  We like to be as transparent as possible and prefer to charge transport and pay you the going rate for your cardboard.

How much will I be paid or rebated for my cardboard bales?

Rebates are variable and relate to the global commodity market.  It also depends on whether your supplier is charging transport or not and how much you are having collected at any one time.  To gain the highest prices for your bales you need to store up a full 20-26 tonne load which will be around 40 bales.  Over the last 12 months we have seen rebates between £50 and £140 per tonne so it does vary a lot! 

Can I still be paid for my cardboard if I don’t want to or can’t bale it?

Yes, you can still be paid if you are producing good quality flat packed cardboard but you won’t get paid the highest rates

I have a baler but the bales are not ‘mill size’.  Can I still get a rebate?

Absolutely!  However you won’t receive top of the market rebates or credits for your bales because they will need to be cut open and rebaled to make a mill size bale suitable for sending to the cardboard recycling mill.  However, smaller balers can be a good solution for companies trying to optimise space and producing smaller quantities of cardboard.

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What is contamination?

Cardboard bales must only be cardboard.  If you mix in other waste with your cardboard such as plastic or food then it will contaminate the bale.  This means you will not receive the optimum rebate and may even have to pay to have your bales disposed of because your supplier will need to break open the bales and resort the waste before rebaling them for sale.

That all sounds good.  How do I start baling my cardboard?

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We would love to help!

Cardboard balers are available in many different shapes and sizes. It is important you select the right machine size and type for your business to ensure you achieve the best return from it in terms of space, cost and time. There is no set formula to identify which is the best machine size for you, so we’d always recommend asking a baler specialist with a broad range of machines available to help you choose.

Assess Your Business's Cardboard Waste Volume

If you are currently using recycling bins for your cardboard, you can calculate how many bins you fill each week to help you narrow down your options. You should also note whether you are currently squashing boxes before they are placed in bins, or you put them in whole. The dimensions of the boxes you most commonly throw away should be measured. This is because the opening size of balers varies greatly so you’ll get a more efficient outcome if you select a machine with the box size in mind.

Consider the Space You Have

If space is an issue, a vertical baler is likely to be your best option. These machines take up less floorspace than horizontal equivalents. You can also choose a short height vertical baler if the ceiling height is low such as the QCR H3 Baler (Low Height).

Cardboard bales are heavy therefore you’ll need to consider whether you have suitable lifting equipment to stack them up safely if space is tight. You’ll also need to consider the access point at your premises so the Recycler can collect them without causing disruption to your team.

Unlike baling equipment, it’s important your bales of recyclable material are kept dry and remain uncontaminated. However, this doesn’t necessarily rule-out baling if you do not have a sheltered spot available because some companies successfully store bales outside under a tarpaulin and on a pallet.

Discuss How Often You Have Cardboard Waste

Be careful not to immediately rule out a baler if you do not dispose of large amounts of cardboard because they can also be used to bale polythene and many other types of plastic. This is why we always advocate involving a baler expert at the start of the decision process because unless you work in the industry, you may not be familiar with the broad range of waste compactors that are available. A free waste survey with a reputable supplier such as QCR can be the first step to transform the way you handle your business waste.

Cardboard Waste Bale Collection

For the process to work smoothly, you need to make sure you have an appointed reliable collector for your cardboard bales. This will ensure they are collected regularly, you receive a fair price (if applicable) and you are supplied with the correct paperwork for your records. Although a quick internet search will display numerous options, it is important you select a trusted company. As with domestic waste, if waste is disposed of incorrectly and bears your company name, the subsequent fines will need to be paid by you. Every purchaser of a baler from QCR, will be introduced to a reliable cardboard bale collection company taking the uncertainty out of this part of the process.

Cost Efficiency

Cardboard bales are valuable. To get the best prices for your bales they need to be produced in sufficient quantities and of an agreed standard with regards to quality, size and moisture content. A mill size machine can help you turn cardboard into cash, but you’ll need to be sure the higher value of your bales will help to offset the higher price tag of this size of baler. This is where a reputable cardboard baler specialist can help you do the maths and make the right decision for your business.

Don’t overlook the option of renting a baler instead of rushing to buy a new one. QCR Recycling Equipment offer a competitive nationwide baler rental service which includes free delivery (unloading required), free breakdown cover and free ongoing staff training.

Consider Future Growth

If you think your business is likely produce more commercial waste in the future, hiring a baler is often a better option than purchasing outright. This is because when your business is ready for a larger machine, you can make the required machine changeover much quicker. At QCR, you can upgrade the size of your baler mid-contract making it a flexible choice for businesses with a strong desire to grow.

Contact QCR for Your Cardboard Baler Needs

With over 25 years’ experience, we’re a leading supplier of cardboard recycling machinery for the workplace in the UK. At QCR, we have a wide range of cardboard balers to either buy or rent. We have solutions for other common types of business waste such as polystyrene, glass bottles, empty drums and used paint cans.

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