Most people think of recycling equipment in the context of retail stores and grocery chains baling cardboard. But some of the highest-volume recycling equipment users in the country are manufacturers and industrial operations — and they have recycling challenges that retail never deals with.
Cardboard and paper are just the start. Industrial operations generate plastic film, stretch wrap, shrink wrap, foam, scrap metal, wood waste, and mixed industrial packaging — often in volumes and material combinations that require specialized equipment and a dealer who understands more than just the standard OCC baler.
Altitude Recycling works with manufacturers and industrial operations across the Rocky Mountain region. Here’s what that looks like in practice.
What Industrial Operations Are Recycling
Corrugated cardboard and paper — Every manufacturer receiving components, raw materials, or finished goods deals with cardboard. High-volume receiving operations generate far more OCC than a standard retail vertical baler can keep up with — a horizontal baler is often the right fit.
Plastic film and stretch wrap — One of the most underrecycled materials in manufacturing. Stretch wrap, shrink wrap, and plastic film packaging pile up fast and take up enormous space loose. A baler configured for plastic film bales it into dense, marketable bales — turning a disposal cost into a recovered commodity.
Industrial plastic — HDPE, PET, PP, and other rigid plastics from manufacturing processes, rejected parts, and packaging. Depending on the volume and type, a baler or shredder may be the right processing solution.
Foam and cushioning material — Foam packaging, EPS, and cushioning materials are high-volume, low-density waste that takes up significant space and disposal capacity. Densifiers and specialized balers compact foam down to a fraction of its original volume.
Wood waste and pallets — Manufacturers dealing with broken pallets, wood packaging, and wood scrap can process that material through industrial shredders for volume reduction and downstream use as mulch or fuel.
Scrap metal — Depending on the process, manufacturers generating metal scrap — aluminum, steel, copper — can benefit from baling or shredding equipment that prepares the material for recycling markets.
Mixed industrial waste — High-volume mixed waste streams benefit from compactors that reduce haul frequency and disposal costs, or sorting and processing equipment that separates recyclable streams from true waste.
Equipment for Industrial and Manufacturing Operations
Horizontal Balers
The workhorse of industrial recycling. Single-ram horizontal balers handle cardboard, paper, plastic film, and light mixed materials at throughput rates that vertical balers can’t match. Auto-tie configurations eliminate manual wire tying — critical for operations where labor efficiency matters.
We carry and source Excel, International Baler, Marathon, Harris, PTR, and other major brands in single-ram and auto-tie configurations.
Two-Ram Balers
For the highest-volume mixed-material applications — large manufacturers processing multiple streams simultaneously, or operations running MRF-level throughput. Two-ram balers handle the full range of recyclable materials and produce large, dense bales that command better pricing from recyclers.
We source Harris, Maren, International Baler, and PTR two-ram balers from our nationwide network.
Vertical Balers
Not every manufacturing operation needs a full horizontal baler. For facilities generating moderate cardboard and paper volume — smaller manufacturers, light assembly operations, office and breakroom recyclables — a vertical baler is cost-effective and compact. We carry PTR, BACE, International Baler, and Excel vertical balers new and used.
Industrial Shredders
Volume reduction, particle size reduction, and material preparation for downstream recycling or disposal. Industrial shredders handle cardboard, paper, plastic, wood, foam, and mixed materials depending on configuration. We source Vecoplan, SSI, and other major shredder brands.
Compactors
Self-contained and stationary compactors for manufacturers managing high-volume mixed waste and non-recyclable material. Compactors reduce haul frequency and disposal costs — a meaningful operational saving for facilities paying significant monthly disposal fees.
Conveyors and Sorting Equipment
Infeed conveyors, sorting conveyors, and elevated conveyors for manufacturers building or expanding their internal recycling lines. Moving material efficiently from the production floor to processing equipment reduces labor and improves throughput.
Baling Wire for Industrial Operations
Industrial balers run through wire. A horizontal auto-tie baler processing high volume needs a consistent, reliable wire supply — running out mid-shift means production stops.
Altitude Recycling supplies black annealed box wire for single-ram auto-tie horizontal balers, black annealed and galvanized stand wire for two-ram balers, and single loop bale ties for vertical balers. We ship fast and our pricing is competitive — most industrial operations save money switching to us for their wire supply.
Equipment Rentals for Industrial Operations
Capital budgets in manufacturing are often tied up in production equipment. Renting a baler or compactor keeps your recycling program running without competing for capital dollars — and with maintenance covered, your facilities team isn’t responsible for keeping the recycling equipment running.
We rent vertical and horizontal balers to industrial operations across Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region.
→ Ask About Industrial Equipment Rentals
Grant Funding for Industrial Recycling Equipment
Colorado manufacturers may be eligible for grant funding through the state’s RREO program — the Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity grant administered through CDPHE. Tyler has helped Colorado businesses navigate RREO applications for recycling equipment. If you’re considering a significant equipment investment, it’s worth a conversation about whether grant funding can offset part of the cost.
→ Learn About Colorado Recycling Grants
Why Industrial Operations Choose Altitude Recycling
We understand industrial applications. Retail cardboard and industrial plastic film are different problems. We’ve worked with manufacturers, processors, and industrial operations long enough to understand the difference — and to recommend equipment that actually fits the application.
Tyler sources nationwide. Industrial recycling equipment — particularly two-ram balers, high-capacity horizontals, and specialty shredders — isn’t always sitting in local inventory. Tyler’s nationwide sourcing network means we can find specific machines for specific applications, not just sell you what’s on the lot.
One relationship covers it all. Equipment, wire, service, rentals — from the same company. For a facilities manager juggling multiple vendors, consolidating your recycling equipment relationship with one provider who covers everything simplifies the operational picture.
Service on the brands we sell. We service every brand we carry. When your production baler goes down, you’re not waiting for a manufacturer’s service team to fly in from somewhere else. You’re calling us.
Get Started
Tell us what you’re generating, your volume, your facility layout, and what you’re currently doing with the material. We’ll give you an honest assessment of what equipment makes sense — including when we think you don’t need equipment yet or when rental makes more sense than purchase.
Call: 720-545-5348
Email: sales@altituderecycling.com
→ Browse Industrial Balers
→ Browse Shredders
→ Ask About Equipment Rentals
→ Get a Wire Quote
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best baler for plastic film and stretch wrap?
Plastic film requires a baler with a configuration designed for low-density, high-volume material — typically a horizontal baler with an appropriate chamber and ram speed. We can help you identify the right machine for your specific film volume and type.
Can one baler handle both cardboard and plastic film?
Many horizontal balers can handle both, though the optimal setup for high-volume plastic film is sometimes different from what’s ideal for OCC. Call us and describe your material mix — we’ll tell you what works.
Do you service industrial shredders?
We service and support the shredder brands we sell. For industrial shredders from other manufacturers, call us and we’ll tell you honestly whether we can help.
How do I know if my volume justifies a horizontal baler vs. a vertical?
If you’re filling more than one or two dumpsters per week with cardboard alone — or generating significant plastic film volume on top of that — a horizontal baler almost certainly makes more sense economically. Call us and walk through your numbers.
Does Altitude Recycling serve manufacturers outside Colorado?
We serve Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nebraska, Kansas, Arizona, and New Mexico for equipment and service. Baling wire ships nationwide. Call us to discuss your specific location.
Altitude Recycling Equipment — Aurora, CO
Recycling Balers, Baling Wire, Equipment Rentals & Service Since 2010
Serving CO, WY, UT, NE, KS, AZ & NM — Equipment & Wire Available Nationwide
720-545-5348 | sales@altituderecycling.com