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Your Guide to Waste Paper Baling and Hauling Processes

THE BASICS OF BALING

Every year, a whopping 9.2 billion tonnes of industrial waste is generated worldwide. And this waste comes from industrial manufacturing processes and is often a by-product with no further use. This includes everything from solid waste to chemical and liquid waste produced by factories, labs, construction and engineering sites, mills, and plants. And out of that 9.2 billion tonnes, paper waste accounts for 26% of the total waste that end up in landfills.

The thing is, that 26% is almost equivalent to 2.4 billion tonnes of paper that could have been recycled but were left to decompose in landfills, releasing harmful methane gas. But if that amount of paper waste is instead recycled, it can save 7,000 gallons of water, 17 trees, and nearly 4 cubic yards of landfill space per tonne. This is where baling and hauling processes come into play–to make sure that the paper waste is properly 

Now, baling doesn’t just benefit the recycling companies that purchase the baled materials, but it also benefits the businesses that generate paper waste. By reducing their waste volume, they save on disposal costs and contribute to a greener environment. In fact, they don’t just save money, but industrial companies can also earn from selling their baled paper to recycling companies. ‘Talk about a win-win situation, right? 

In the world of recycling, baling is an essential process that helps to prepare waste materials for efficient transport and processing. Waste paper baling involves compressing loose paper waste into compact bales, reducing its volume and making it easier to handle and transport. 

A waste paper baling machine is used for this process, utilizing powerful hydraulic pressure to compress large amounts of paper waste into dense bales. These bales are then stacked and transported to a recycling facility, where they will be processed into new paper products.

Waste paper baling is critical in the recycling industry as it not only saves space and resources but also makes it possible to recycle larger quantities of paper waste. Especially if you’re handling massive quantities of paper waste, you may prefer to bale your scrap paper instead of just dumping it loose in a bin, trailer, or compactor. As in this case, It may grow to the point that it makes sense to utilize a baler so you can sell recyclable bales of waste paper products instead of loose recyclables that takes up more space in storage and delivery.

Waste paper baling makes the recycled product more compact and easier to handle for the recycling entity. Waste paper baling consists of compacting the recyclable material and then securing its compacted, rectangular shape by holding the compacted material in place with a series of loops of baling wire.  It also means that you will not have to schedule the recycling hauler quite as often.  You’ll be sending fewer, but heavier and more compact loads.

WHAT GOES INTO THE WASTE PAPER BALE?

In waste paper baling, the type of paper waste that goes into the bale can vary depending on your business needs and preferences. Some common types of paper waste include:

  • Office paper
  • Cardboard
  • Newspapers
  • Mixed paper
  • Shredded documents
  • Paper bags
  • Paper packaging material

 

Before starting the waste paper baling process, it is important to sort through your paper waste and remove any non-biodegradable materials such as plastic or metal clips, staples, and binders. These items can damage the waste paper baling equipment and also contaminate the bales, reducing their value for recycling purposes. Once sorted, the remaining paper waste will be fed into the paper baling machine.

MIXED RECYCLABLES

Though we think of commercial paper as printed paper stock, flyers, posters, documents, reports, and such, that is not always the case. A lot of recycling facilities are now set-up to handle so-called mixed recyclables. If you know that your waste is going to a mixed recycling center then you may be able to include corrugated cardboard, paperboard cartons, plastic water bottles, jugs, clear plastic cups, aluminum beverage cans, clean aluminum foil, and even clean jars and bottles. When properly included, these boost the value of the recycled bales and can result in a larger rebate.

WHAT WASTE MUST STAY BEHIND?

Although recycling has come a long way over the last 50 years or so, it still is not perfect. The variety of waste that is generated often consists of different types of plastic, paper glass, and metal. These items are not all accepted at every recycling center, and some may even need to be sorted separately.  

Consequently, we must become more informed about optimizing our recyclables and reducing landfill waste. This challenge is compounded by the fact that some items, despite appearing easy to recycle, must be sent to landfills due to the lack of an economical processing method for reuse.

Here’s an example:  A clear plastic drinking cup can be recycled, however, the lid and the plastic straw that came with the cup must go into the trash.  This requires a little bit more work in sorting the waste before baling.  It’s worth the little bit of extra work, because, if that cup lid or straw is incorporated into a waste bale, the operator at the recycling plant will have to divert the entire bale to the landfill. They just can’t economically pick through bales of waste and pull out the unrecyclable waste product.

TO BUY OR LEASE A BALER?

Waste disposal companies, like Evergreen Recycling, may have an appropriate waste paper baling machine available for lease. Generally speaking, if you go this route, then they will match your needs with the right product and then train your staff on how to use the waste paper baling machine properly. They will also manage any maintenance or repair issues, essentially teaching you everything necessary for the proper operation of the baler.

Aside from the benefits mentioned above about waste paper baling such as fewer trips to pick-up your commercial paper waste, there is also the benefit that the bales can be easily stacked and secured on a flatbed truck. And most importantly, you will be paid more for your scrap paper.

Otherwise, a tractor-trailer would need to be used, which would cost more to load and unload. While a tractor-trailer can manage baled waste, a flatbed is the preferred choice for transporting stacked, baled materials.

Setting up and operating a waste management system is best done through a local provider, due to the variation in local facilities’ ability to handle certain types of waste.  The process of setting up a waste management program starts with a free audit.  Evergreen Recycling can take the audit results and turn that into a plan to save you money on your waste handling costs and, in some cases even generate an income stream based on rebates for your recycled materials.

Looking to lease a waste paper baling machine? Reach out to us at Evergreen Recycling for more information.

THE PROCESS OF WASTE PAPER HAULING

Once you’re done with waste paper baling and you have baled your waste paper properly, the recycler can come and pick it up for transport to their facility. This is typically done by using specialized trucks, such as flatbeds or tractor-trailers, which are designed to safely and efficiently transport baled waste.

The logistics of waste hauling involve careful planning and coordination between the waste management company, the baler operator, and the recycling facility. The baler operator must ensure that the bales are stacked properly on the truck to prevent shifting during transportation. They must also communicate with the recycling facility regarding pickup schedules and any specific instructions for handling the bales.

Once at the recycling facility, the bales will be unloaded and sorted according to their type of material. From there, baled recycling materials will go through a process of further sorting, cleaning, shredding and pulping, to turn them into new paper products.

Overall, waste hauling is as crucial to the recycling process as waste paper baling. While it might sound like a simple waste pick up, the truth is, specialized trucks are utilized to ensure that the baled waste is transported safely and efficiently.

BENEFITS OF WASTE PAPER BALING AND HAULING

Apart from easy storage and transport, there are many other benefits of waste paper baling and hauling.

COST EFFICIENCY

One of the benefits of baling and hauling waste paper is cost efficiency. Volume reduction through waste paper baling and hauling allows for more paper to be transported in one trip, reducing transportation costs. Additionally, by working with a recycling company like Evergreen Recycling, you can save money on waste disposal fees and even potentially earn revenue from your recycled materials.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Another major benefit is the environmental impact. By properly disposing of waste paper through baling and hauling, it reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. Landfills contribute to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, so by recycling waste paper instead of sending it to landfills, we are helping to reduce our carbon footprint and promote a cleaner environment.

CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

In addition, waste paper baling and hauling also helps conserve natural resources. By using recycled paper products, we are reducing the demand for virgin materials such as trees, water, and energy. This means less deforestation, less water usage, and lower energy consumption.

POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY

Furthermore, recycling waste paper can also have a positive impact on our economy. It creates jobs in the recycling industry and supports local businesses that rely on recycled materials for their products. By participating in recycling programs, we are not only doing our part for the environment but also contributing to the growth of our economy.

Ready to get your waste paper hauled and recycled? Contact  Evergreen Recycling and together, we can reduce waste and promote a greener future!

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE IS KEY

As you can see the basic principle of recycling is very doable. If you identify a large enough quantity of waste streams that are recyclable, it may be worthwhile to bundle your waste into bales.  And, in some communities, mixed recycling is allowed, which both simplifies some waste handling and complicates some other types of waste.

Setting up and operating a waste management system is best done through a local provider, due to the variation in local facilities’ ability to handle certain types of waste.  The process of setting up a waste management program starts with a free audit.  Evergreen Recycling can take the audit results and turn that into a plan to save you money on your waste handling costs and, in some cases even generate an income stream based on rebates for your recycled materials.

MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE

According to the US EPA ( https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/national-overview-facts-and-figures-materials#Generation ) over 290 million tons of solid waste were produced annually in 2018 (most recent numbers.)  Paper waste, although declining due to the increase in digitizing of information, leads the pack at 23% of the total.  Plastic, metal, and glass combined are about the same as paper in turn of tonnage. But here’s the thing—plastics stick around in the environment for a long time. Plus, with so many different types, recycling them gets tricky because they need to be sorted out properly.

Setting up and operating a waste management system is best done through a local provider, due to the variation in local facilities’ ability to handle certain types of waste.  The process of setting up a waste management program starts with a free audit.  Evergreen Recycling can take the audit results and turn that into a plan to save you money on your waste handling costs and, in some cases even generate an income stream based on rebates for your recycled materials.

 

Recycling Chart

This then begs the question: If we are generating nearly 300 million tons of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), how much are we recycling?  

It turns out that the answer is about 70 million tons. Or just under ¼ of the total.  And of that nearly 70 million tons, Paper and Paperboard are about 2/3 of the total tonnage. And according to the EPA data, paper and paperboard are the most successfully recycled waste in the US for these reasons. It’s a good time to start your own paper recycling program. .  

On top of these, and as we’ve seen in several cases, certain municipalities allow for plastics, metal, and glass to be added in with mixed recycling programs, so you can even get more value back for your investment in these recycling programs.

Recycling Chart

Consider setting up a bundled recycling program and reach out to Evergreen Recycling for help in getting your program started. It all starts with a simple free audit which will review your current waste and recycling management processes and identify opportunities for improvement. Our service includes:

To learn more about Evergreen Recycling and their plastic recycling and waste management programs visit our website.

You can also reach out to them directly through this contact link.

or give them a call at (817) 293-4400

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