Why cardboard balers are crucial for efficient waste management
Cardboard takes up space. Quickly.
In retail stores, warehouses, webshops, and production companies, cardboard is often one of the largest waste fractions. Without proper handling, cardboard waste occupies unnecessary space, increases transport costs, and affects the working environment.
A cardboard baler compresses cardboard directly at the source and transforms loose cardboard into compact, uniform bales. The result is better logistics, lower costs, and saved internal time spent on waste management.
In this guide, we will go through:
- What a cardboard baler is
- How a cardboard baler works
- Benefits of cardboard compaction
- How to choose the right model
What is a cardboard baler?
A cardboard baler:
- Minimises time spent on cardboard waste management
- Reduces volume by up to 90%
- Creates uniform bales
- Reduces the number of waste collections
See Bramidan cardboard balers here
How does a cardboard baler work?
A cardboard baler uses hydraulic pressure in a closed chamber.
The process:
Cardboard is placed in the chamber
Cardboard waste is placed in the chamber of the cardboard baler. This can be cardboard boxes, packaging, or other cardboard from daily operations in shops, warehouses, or production. As the chamber is continuously filled, the
cardboard baler is ready to start the compaction process and reduce the volume of the cardboard waste.
Press cycle is activated
When the chamber is filled, the press cycle in the cardboard baler is activated. The hydraulic cylinder drives the press plate down against the material and initiates the compaction. The operation is simple and performed directly from the machine’s control panel, making the cardboard baler easy to use in daily waste handling.
The material is compressed under high pressure
The press plate in the cardboard baler compresses the cardboard material under high hydraulic pressure. This process significantly reduces the cardboard volume and presses the material into a compact bale. The result is a dense and stable cardboard bale that takes up much less space than loose cardboard and is easier to handle.
The bale is tied with strapping
The cardboard baler automatically indicates when the bale is complete, and it is tied with strong strapping. The strapping ensures that the cardboard bale maintains its shape during handling and transport. This makes it easier to store and handle the finished bales from the cardboard baler.
The finished cardboard bale is ejected
Finally, the finished bale is ejected from the cardboard baler. The bale can then be stored, transported, or collected for recycling. The compact bales make waste handling more efficient and reduce both time and space consumption as well as transport needs.
The result is a compact and stable cardboard bale, ready for storage or collection.
See a cardboard baler in operation
Why invest in a cardboard baler?
Reduces the company’s time spent on waste management.
With a cardboard baler in the company, time is saved on handling cardboard, as the cardboard baler prefers whole cardboard boxes. If the cardboard baler is placed as close as possible to the source, a lot of time is saved on transporting the cardboard.
Significant volume reduction
Cardboard can be reduced by up to 90%. This frees up valuable floor space and creates better order in the waste area.
Lower transport costs
Fewer collections mean reduced waste costs and less COâ‚‚ emissions. This allows for more efficient planning of collections and reduces the frequency of transport. For companies with large amounts of cardboard, this can result in significant savings on waste management and logistics.
Improved working environment
Loose cardboard in, for example, corridors poses a fall risk in companies with high activity. A cardboard baler collects and compresses the cardboard waste in one place, creating more order in the waste area and better overview in daily operations. It reduces the risk of accidents, improves employee safety, and contributes to a more organised and efficient working environment.
If you want to know more about proper waste handling, you can read with the Environmental Protection Agency here.
Which cardboard baler should you choose?
The choice of cardboard baler depends on several factors:
- The daily amount of cardboard and the dimensions of the cardboard
- Available space
- Desired level of automation
- Bale size
Vertical cardboard baler
A vertical cardboard baler is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses. The baler has a compact design and with manual binding when the bale needs to be ejected.
See our vertical cardboard balers here
Horizontal cardboard baler
A horizontal cardboard baler is ideal for larger and continuous waste streams. The baler has automatic binding and higher capacity than a vertical cardboard baler.
See our horizontal cardboard balers here
FAQ about cardboard balers
What is a cardboard baler?
A cardboard baler is a hydraulic machine that compresses cardboard waste into compact bales. By pressing the cardboard together, the volume of waste is significantly reduced, making it easier to handle, store, and transport. Cardboard balers can be used in all types of businesses where more efficient cardboard waste management is desired for the benefit of the environment and the company’s waste costs.
How much does a cardboard baler reduce volume?
A cardboard baler typically reduces the volume of cardboard waste by up to 90% depending on the machine’s capacity and the type of cardboard. By compressing cardboard into compact bales, the waste takes up significantly less space than loose cardboard in bins, which can reduce both space requirements and collection frequency.
What is the difference between a cardboard baler and a baler?
A cardboard baler is a type of baler specifically used for cardboard waste. The term baler generally covers machines that press materials such as cardboard, plastic, or packaging into bales. A cardboard baler is thus specialised for cardboard, while other balers can also handle multiple types of materials.
When should one choose a horizontal cardboard baler?
A horizontal cardboard baler is suitable for businesses with large and continuous amounts of cardboard waste. These machines have high capacity and can often automate processes such as compressing and binding bales. Therefore, they are often used in larger logistics centres, distribution warehouses, and manufacturing companies.
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