Cardboard waste is one of the biggest contributors to operational disposal costs for many US businesses, across various fields. Retail, distribution, hospitality and manufacturing all used lots of cardboard, and storing it or getting rid of it can be a challenge. Rising costs can lead to cluttered backrooms overflowing with cardboard, which is not an efficient environment for work or aesthetically pleasing for customers and clients. Is there a quick fix?
Oh yes, there is. A cardboard crusher is an industrial machine that compresses cardboard into thick, easy to manage bales or piles. These machines are an eco and business-friendly option that can help you manage cardboard waste to improve efficiency in your workplace. It really is that easy.
What is a Cardboard Baler and What Does it Do?
Cardboard balers turn all sorts of cardboard into a uniform pile, that is densely packed together to maximize space efficiency. The basic operation of the machine can be done by almost any employee, with minimal training. Simply load cardboard into the machine’s bay, activate the press and out comes compact bales. These can then be recycled, or kept in storage for some other future use.
A cardboard crusher is a compact machine too. It doesn’t cost much to run, is simple to operate and won’t take much floorspace meaning it can be used in a variety of settings from backrooms of small boutique shops to large warehouses. One of these machines can reduce the size of stored cardboard by up to 90% – freeing up space for more productive operations.
There are a few varieties of models to fit smaller or larger spaces and volumes, with some capable of being used vertically and others horizontally.
The Benefits for Your Business – Explained
There are four key areas a cardboard baler improves businesses that have physical premises and products:
- Space saving and operational efficiency
- Lower costs for waste handling and efficiency savings
- Improves workplace health & safety
- Reduces C02 emissions for environmental responsibility and good PR
Cardboard, when stored loose without a plan, can quickly become an overwhelming problem for a business. It can take up a lot of space, and haphazard piles can be unwieldy and unstable. Using a cardboard crusher to stack them in neat piles of bales keeps a workplace clear of obstructions and saves important space that can be used for other purposes.
Outside of its immediate impact on the workplace, one of these machines is economical too. It will save your business money by saving workers time, freeing up space and, crucially, you’ll need less waste pickups (or drop-offs) when everything is stored neatly. Some recycling operators even charge less or pay rebates for cardboard that is properly baled for pickup, as its easier for their purposes as well.
Manual box cutting is actually a common source of on-the-job injuries in warehouses. A cardboard baler completely takes that out of the equation. It also improves workplace safety by keeping card tidy and organized, so it isn’t a fire risk or a trip hazard.
Baling cardboard and increasing efficiency of waste transportation also offers green benefits. For companies looking to lower co2 emissions for ethical or legal compliance reasons, a baler can be an easy win.
Choosing the Right Crusher for Your Needs is Important
There are a few different variants of cardboard crushers you’ll find at a top supplier today. These are built with different volumes and types of cardboard in mind.
For example, a small bakery handling cardboard boxes won’t need as large as a model as an retail shipping warehouse. There are models that can handle as much as 6×6 feet of cardboard, that will be packed down to less than 10% of that size once complete.
Some options, usually the smaller ones, are mostly suitable for processing one batch at a time with semi-manual operation. These can be very small and discrete and are great for businesses with limited floor space.
On the other end of the scale, larger cardboard balers are equipped with computer systems that can automate several batches of cardboard waste to be processed one after the other with minimal interaction.
These powerful machines use a lot of force – up to 100,000 lbs of pressure for the most powerful options. They can process 45 cubic yards of cardboard in less than a minute, before ejecting a freshly compressed bale into a waiting chute for your post processing or storage. The smartest options can even calculate saved CO2 emissions per bale, for recording and sending off to regulators or third party green accreditors.
On top of all that, many models can be customized with different colors and text, to be compliant with workplace regulations, such as OSHA safety standards, wherever your business is based.
When it comes to cost, the larger models are more expensive but not prohibitively so and they will save you money in the long run. There are usually options for buying refurbished or renovated models, and you can even rent them if you only need one on a short term basis.
Trusted suppliers will be happy to provide you with all this information, to help you make the right choice when it comes to a new cardboard crusher.
