Cardboard Recycling
Why the Need for Cardboard Balers and Cardboard Compactors?
M42BC |
Corrugated packaging is a $17 billion per-year industry and accounts for the largest segment of the entire packaging industry. Over 90% of all products in the United States are shipped in corrugated boxes. Not surprisingly, old corrugated cardboard (OCC) represents a significant percentage of the solid waste stream, with approximately 90% of OCC packaging coming from the commercial or non-residential sector.
Since OCC is bulky and takes up a lot of space in dumpsters - especially if unflattened, your business may find it cost effective to bale or compact the material. Efficient recycling of cardboard can not only free space and create a safer working environment, it can be a source of revenue when managed as a part of a comprehensive waste management system. Harmony Enterprises staff can help you select the equipment appropriate for your application. We have a large selection of balers ranging from small portable models, such as the M42BC, to large automated baling systems like the T60XDRC.
Additional Benefits to Cardboard Recycling:
Harmony Enterprises cardboard compactors and balers are a streamlined and efficient way to reduce loose waste. We at Harmony Enterprises have found that our balers and compactors, when purchased with a specific purpose in mind and utilized properly, almost always yield great paybacks. Taking control of waste processing routines can also help to pinpoint problems in other areas such as purchasing practices that might be causing unnecessary waste. Additional benefits:
- Cardboard Recycling frees space.
- Cardboard Recycling creates a safer work environment.
- Cardboard Recycling is environmentally friendly.
- Cardboard Recycling can be a source of revenue.
Cardboard Bale Characteristics:
Does cardboard recycling make sense for your business or organization? When considering the facts of cardboard recycling, it is important to analyze the characteristics of a cardboard bale. Before purchasing a cardboard baler, it is important to take the bale size, and weight into account, as well as the space available for the cardboard baler.
Calculating size and weight:
Typically, most cardboard balers are referred to by the bale size that they produce. For example, a 30” baler produces a 30” bale (in width).
- A 30” bale width is about the smallest size baler available
- Vertical balers can range up to bale sizes of 80” (in width) or even higher.
Actual Bale size is calculated in either cubic yards or cubic feet and bale size, width, height, and depth are required. Below are some general weights and measurements as they relate to waste processing and bale size.
| Waste Processing – General Weights & Measures |
| 1 cubic yard (i.e., of space) is composed of 46,656 cubic inches. |
| 1 cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet |
| 1 Bale (measured in Cubic Yds) = L x W x H (in inches) divided by 46,656 (cubic inches) |
1 Bale (measured in Cubic Ft) = L x W x H (in inches) divided by 46,656 (cubic inches)
X 27 (cubic feet) |
| 1 Bale with dimensions of 36”L X 36”W X 36”H equals 1 Cubic Yard |
Bale weights vary greatly depending upon the type of material being baled, and actual size and configurations of the cardboard baler itself. Cardboard bale weight is often used as a benchmark measure since it is one of the most common items baled. Below you will find some common loose and baled weights of cardboard and other various other materials.
| Type of Material |
Loose |
Baled |
| Cardboard |
50 – 100 lbs/cy |
600 – 1100 lbs / cy |
| PET (Soda bottles, food packaging etc) |
30 – 40 lbs / cy |
200–500 lbs / cy |
| HDPE (Milk Jugs, Detergent Containers etc) |
22 – 25 lbs / cy |
200 – 500 lbs / cy |
| Aluminum Cans |
50 – 75 lbs / cy |
150–500 lbs / cy |
| Steel Cans |
150 – 175 lbs / cy |
500 – 1,000 lbs / cy |
| Paper |
500– 600 lbs / cy |
1,000 – 1,200 lbs / cy |
| Newspaper |
350 – 500 lbs / cy |
750 – 1,000 lbs / cy |
| Glass |
500 – 600 lbs / cy |
1,800 – 2,500 lbs / cy |
Additional Considerations to take into account:
- The cardboard baler should be sized appropriately so that significant preparation of the materials, such as bending cardboard, is not needed before putting the material into the baler.
- Evaluation of typical size of items as well as the overall waste stream to be baled should be completed before purchasing a cardboard baler.
- Evaluation of space available for the baler as well as location of the Loading Door Opening needs to be conducted.
- Keep in mind that extra space has to be allocated for not only removing the bales from the cardboard baler but also any service requirements that might be necessary. The appropriate spacing is usually about a foot or so from the wall on the back and sides of the cardboard baler. The ceiling height is also very important since the cylinder movement requires extra height beyond the normal ‘resting height’ of the unit.
The recycling of cardboard conserves resources, protects the environment, and can be a reliable source of profit for businesses, but choosing the right compactor or baler can be overwhelming. Share your cardboard recycling requirements with us at Harmony Enterprises. Regardless of your industry, we will work with you to find the appropriate cardboard baler or compactor that will fulfill all of your recycling needs!
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