Many companies produce a lot of cardboard waste in their day-to-day productions, but often this waste is simply thrown in recycling bins and skips. This is like throwing money down the drain! But where most see recyclable waste, you see opportunity, and how can you turn that opportunity into profit? Here is how to sell recycled cardboard.
For companies looking to mitigate their cardboard waste volume and turn a profit, baling equipment comes as a no-brainer. Waste balers come in a range of sizes, usually to fit with how much waste a company produces. At Compact & Bale we can even transport and install a baler at your premises, streamlining delivery and transport, as well as providing in-person training for all necessary operatives. Take the Strautmann mini-balers for example: even for producers of small amounts of waste, these balers pay for themselves almost immediately. The BP3CD and BP4CD handle cardboard effectively, acting as a bin with its own squashing lid. Not only do you keep cash that would otherwise be lost when throwing your cardboard away, you keep your premises tidy as a by-product.
Looking further afield, companies that produce large-scale recyclable cardboard packaging may find that a permanent skip outside their facility does more to create an eyesore and take up space than it does to help them streamline their waste management. If you find you’re having this problem, you may be spending more money, more frequently on skip pick-up than you want to. In this case, a mill-size baler could be the key: the Strautmann PP1208 is a super-heavyweight baler designed for larger industrial waste volumes of up to 500kg at a time.
To sell baled cardboard you first need to identify buyers. As a valuable commodity, cardboard can be sold to those who use recycled materials in their production processes. Companies should research local and regional buyers, including:
Recycling Centers: Many recycling centers are willing to pay for baled cardboard due to its high recycling value.
Paper Mills: These facilities often purchase large quantities of baled cardboard to be processed into new paper products.
Manufacturing Companies: Some manufacturers buy recycled cardboard for use in their products, reducing their reliance on virgin materials.
A critical aspect of selling baled cardboard is understanding the weight and potential value of your bales. The weight of a bale of cardboard can vary depending on the type of baler used and how tightly the cardboard is compacted. Here are some general estimates:
Mini Balers: Produce bales that typically weigh between 30 to 60 kg.
Medium Balers: Produce bales that weigh between 150 to 250 kg.
Mill-Size Balers: Produce bales that can weigh between 400 to 500 kg.
The amount you could then sell those bales for will depend on who you sell them to. Buyers often pay a premium for high-quality bales. Ensure your bales are free of contaminants like plastics, metals, and other non-cardboard materials and stay informed about current market rates, being prepared to negotiate with buyers to get the best possible price. Building strong relationships with buyers can also lead to better deals over time, gaining you more influence and sway when it comes to who will buy from you.