If your business generates cardboard — and most do — you’re probably throwing away money every week without realizing it.
Old corrugated cardboard (OCC) is one of the most consistently valuable recyclable commodities on the market. Retailers, distributors, manufacturers, grocery stores, hotels, and fulfillment centers that bale their cardboard and sell it to a recycler typically generate meaningful revenue from what they were previously paying to haul away as trash. And beyond the revenue side, a well-run cardboard recycling program reduces dumpster hauls, cuts disposal costs, and demonstrates an environmental commitment that increasingly matters to customers, employees, and communities.
The good news is that starting a cardboard recycling program isn’t complicated. Here’s exactly how to do it.
Step 1 — Assess Your Cardboard Volume
Before you decide what equipment you need — or whether you need equipment at all — you need an honest picture of how much cardboard your operation generates.
Questions to answer:
- How many boxes, pallets, or loads of cardboard does your facility generate per day or per week?
- Is your volume consistent throughout the year, or do you have seasonal spikes (holiday retail, for example)?
- Where does cardboard currently accumulate in your facility — receiving docks, backrooms, production floors?
- How much time do employees currently spend breaking down boxes or managing cardboard waste?
Why volume matters: Your cardboard volume determines which type of equipment — if any — makes sense for your operation. A small office building generating a few boxes per week doesn’t need a baler. A distribution center processing hundreds of boxes per day absolutely does, and the right baler for that volume is very different from the right baler for a mid-size retail store.
General volume guidelines:
| Daily Cardboard Volume | Recommended Equipment |
|---|---|
| Under 5 boxes/day | No baler needed — hand-flatten and recycle |
| 5–25 boxes/day | Small vertical baler (5–10 HP) |
| 25–100 boxes/day | Mid-size vertical baler (10–15 HP) |
| 100–500 boxes/day | Large vertical baler or small horizontal |
| 500+ boxes/day | Horizontal baler or auto-tie system |
Step 2 — Choose the Right Equipment for Your Volume
Once you know your volume, the equipment decision becomes straightforward.
Vertical Balers — The Most Common Starting Point
Vertical balers are the right choice for most businesses starting a cardboard recycling program. They’re compact, affordable, and simple to operate — an employee can be trained to run one safely in under an hour.
A vertical baler takes flat-broken cardboard, compresses it into a dense bale (typically around 60″x48″x30″), and holds it with wire ties until it’s ready for pickup. A standard vertical baler bale weighs 800–1,200 lbs depending on material density and baler size.
Best for: Retail stores, grocery operations, hotels, warehouses, mid-size distribution centers, light manufacturing
Price range: $8,000–$30,000 new | $3,000–$15,000 used
Horizontal Balers — For High-Volume Operations
If your operation generates enough cardboard to run a vertical baler continuously — or if you’re processing mixed materials beyond just cardboard — a horizontal baler produces larger, denser bales with less manual loading required.
Best for: Large distribution centers, fulfillment operations, paper processors, MRFs, large-format retail
Price range: $30,000–$80,000 new | $10,000–$40,000 used
Should You Buy, Rent, or Lease?
If you’re just starting a recycling program and aren’t certain about your long-term volume, renting a vertical baler is a smart first move. It gets your program running without the upfront capital commitment of a purchase, and you can transition to buying once you’ve confirmed your volume and the program’s value.
→ Learn More About Baler Rentals
Step 3 — Set Up Your Collection System
Equipment is only half the picture. A successful cardboard recycling program also needs a collection process that fits how your facility actually operates.
Key decisions to make:
Where will cardboard be collected? Designate a specific location — ideally near your receiving dock or main unboxing area — where cardboard accumulates before baling. A clear, consistent drop point reduces the chance of cardboard ending up in general waste.
Who will operate the baler? Assign specific employees to baler operation and make sure they’re trained on safe use. Most baler manufacturers provide operator training guides — we can also provide guidance on safe operation for the specific machine you purchase or rent from us.
How often will baling happen? For most vertical baler operations, baling happens once per day or once per shift. High-volume operations may bale continuously. Build baling into your daily workflow rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Where will completed bales be stored? Bales need a designated staging area — typically near a loading dock — where they can accumulate until a recycling hauler picks them up. Most recyclers pick up on a scheduled basis once you have a minimum number of bales ready.
Step 4 — Stock the Right Baling Wire
Every bale your machine produces needs to be properly tied with baling wire. Running out of wire — or using the wrong type — stops your program cold.
Types of baling wire:
Single Loop Bale Ties — The most common wire for vertical balers. Pre-formed loops that drop over the platen and tie the bale during ejection. Available in multiple gauges — your baler’s manual specifies the right gauge for your machine.
Black Annealed Box Wire — Used for single ram auto-tie balers. Comes in 50 lb and 100 lb coils. Soft and malleable, feeds smoothly through auto-tie systems without jamming.
Baler Coil Wire — High-volume stand wire for larger horizontal and two-ram operations.
Pro tip on wire: Don’t wait until you’re out to reorder. Most operations benefit from keeping at least one full case in reserve at all times. We offer competitive pricing on all baling wire types and ship nationwide — many operations set up recurring orders so they never run short.
Step 5 — Find a Recycling Hauler
Once you’re producing bales, you need a buyer or hauler to take them. There are a few ways to approach this:
Option 1 — Sell directly to a recycler Some operations sell their cardboard bales directly to a paper mill or recycling facility. This typically requires a minimum volume commitment and regular bale weights. The upside is direct revenue per ton for your cardboard.
Option 2 — Work with a recycling hauler Many operations work with a local recycling hauler who picks up bales on a scheduled basis. Depending on commodity prices, you may receive revenue per ton, a flat pickup fee, or a zero-cost pickup (where the hauler takes the material at no charge but doesn’t pay for it either).
Option 3 — Use a waste broker Waste brokers act as intermediaries between generators (you) and end markets. They can simplify the process and sometimes negotiate better commodity pricing than you’d get independently.
What to look for in a hauler or recycler:
- Do they have consistent pickup schedules?
- What are their minimum bale requirements (weight, size)?
- How do they price cardboard — per ton, per bale, or per pickup?
- Do commodity prices fluctuate month to month and how does that affect your payment?
Step 6 — Track the Value of Your Program
Once your program is running, track what it’s actually worth to your business. Most operations are surprised by the numbers.
What to track:
- Number of bales produced per week/month
- Average bale weight
- Revenue received per ton from your recycler
- Reduction in dumpster hauls and disposal fees
- Labor time saved versus previous cardboard handling
The math often looks something like this: A mid-size retail operation producing 10 bales per week at 1,000 lbs per bale is generating 5 tons of cardboard weekly. At even $50/ton — a conservative OCC commodity price — that’s $250/week or $13,000/year in revenue that was previously going to a landfill as a disposal cost.
Layer in the reduction in dumpster hauls and the labor efficiency gained from a baler versus hand-breaking and hauling cardboard, and the total value of a well-run cardboard recycling program is often significantly higher than the equipment cost within the first year or two.
Step 7 — Keep Your Baler Running With Preventative Maintenance
A cardboard recycling program is only as reliable as the equipment running it. Schedule preventative maintenance for your baler at least twice per year — more frequently for high-volume operations. A PM visit covers hydraulic systems, electrical systems, wire guides, wear plates, and everything else that keeps your machine cycling reliably.
The cost of a scheduled PM visit is a fraction of the cost of an emergency repair — and an emergency repair in the middle of a busy receiving week is significantly more disruptive than a planned maintenance visit scheduled during a slow period.
→ Schedule a Preventative Maintenance Visit
Ready to Start Your Cardboard Recycling Program?
We’ve helped businesses across Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nebraska, Kansas, Arizona, and New Mexico get their recycling programs off the ground — from selecting the right baler to setting up their baling wire supply to keeping equipment running with preventative maintenance.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or upgrading an existing program, call us and we’ll help you figure out the right setup for your volume, your space, and your budget.
Call: 720-545-5348 Email: sales@altituderecycling.com → Browse Balers → Get a Baling Wire Quote → Request a Baler Rental
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a baler to start recycling cardboard? Not necessarily — if your volume is very low (a few boxes per day), hand-flattening and using a recycling dumpster or bin may be sufficient. But once you’re generating enough cardboard that disposal is a real cost or a real labor burden, a baler pays for itself quickly.
How much does cardboard sell for? OCC (old corrugated cardboard) commodity prices fluctuate based on market conditions — typically ranging from $20 to $100+ per ton depending on current demand. Your local recycling hauler or broker can give you current market pricing for your area.
How long does it take to fill a bale? It depends on your cardboard volume and your baler size. A mid-size vertical baler filling up with standard retail cardboard might take one to three days to fill a single bale. A large distribution center might fill multiple bales per day.
What size baler do I need? It depends on your daily cardboard volume, available floor space, and electrical service. Call us and describe your operation — we’ll recommend the right size and configuration without overselling you on more machine than you need.
Can I recycle materials other than cardboard in the same baler? Yes — most vertical balers handle plastic film, shrink wrap, and other materials in addition to cardboard. Horizontal balers handle an even wider range. Tell us what you’re processing and we’ll confirm what your machine can handle.
What if my baler breaks down? Call us at 720-545-5348. We service all major baler brands across Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nebraska, Kansas, Arizona, and New Mexico. For machine-down emergencies, we prioritize getting your operation back up as quickly as possible.
Altitude Recycling Equipment — Aurora, CO Recycling Balers, Baling Wire, Equipment Rentals & Baler Service Serving CO, WY, UT, NE, KS, AZ & NM — Equipment & Wire Available Nationwide 720-545-5348 | sales@altituderecycling.com