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BALER PURCHASE CONSIDERATIONS & TIPS

Below are some basic suggestions for the types of useful information that will be helpful when discussing the potential benefits of a Baler at your facility. In addition to assessing the type of baler that will be required, the information below will also help the Baler supplier determine what specific features would be best suited for your situation. If this type of information has been considered beforehand, it is much more likely that your Baler supplier will be able to pinpoint what you need. The more you have thought through these types of details, the more leverage you will obtain from the time, money and resources that you will be spending.

Other Resources to help with this

  • Evaluate and have a good understanding of the trash profile as it relates to recyclables versus non-recyclables and a good guesstimate of the percentages of each.     

  • Evaluate and have a good understanding of where most of the recyclables are generated within your business operations and where the most logical collection points would be.  

  • Evaluate and have a good understanding of the types of recyclable materials that are generated within your business operations.                      

  • Quantify the volume of recyclables being generated from the operations for the area(s) in which you are contemplating a baler.

  • Evaluate the potential recyclable storage areas that are available at the facility (where recyclables could be stored while awaiting pick-up by the recycler).

  • Based on existing routines and facility layout etc, how feasible will it be to change the routines to include the separation of recyclables from the non-recyclables?

  • Evaluate the equipment that is on hand for transporting baled recyclables to the storage area. Also consider any equipment that is available for loading the recyclables for the Recycler and determine if there is easy access for pick-ups and loading the recyclables.

  • Considering both existing operations and circumstances as well as future expectations, try to evaluate the types of baler features that would best be utilized based on recyclables being generated and the general site conditions.  For example, if space is a major issue and the volume of recyclables is sufficient but does not warrant renovations, is there a sheltered location outside that could be utilized (in which case a weather proofing package and possibly an oil heater) could be added. Also, when considering features for baling a specific type of material, consider any changes in operations that might significantly change the trash profile  percentages or mix of recyclables.  

  • Determine whether there is any existing conditions that might eliminate the opportunity for a Baler. Oftentimes space issues are the primary problem.  Also, for the material(s) you are wanting to recycle, is the market fairly active and  developed? Is there a sufficient reservoir of Recyclers in your area for the material(s).    

  • Have you studied the footprints of the various types of Baler that you feel might work best (also adding a reasonable perimeter for service and basic operating area). By having a feel for the available operating area (including a small / reasonable buffer) this will help to either include or exclude Balers that are not feasible to begin with.  (Of course, This type of consideration would need to be based on the volume because with a large enough volume of recyclables it may be advantageous to do some renovations in order to accommodate a baler.)

  • What type of arrangement do you have with the waste hauler? Is it flexible enough (such as month to month) so that when the amount of trash being hauled is (significantly) reduced as a result of the recycling, there will be  an appropriate reduction in hauling charges?

  • In recognition of your trash profile and the amount of potential recyclables, is there a good possibility that your organization will be implementing a recycling program for more than one material? If so, the baler will either need to have features that can accommodate the various materials or it may be that there will need to be a separate baler for each material.

  • Determine what portion of your current trash profile (being land-filled) would be the easiest to isolate, separate and handle for recycling. Oftentimes this will be the largest volume recyclable, however don't overlook the possibility that there might be a much easier recyclable to begin with that represents much less volume but allows the opportunity for building internal and external controls that can be used as a foundation for the larger volume recyclables.

  • Do you have a good itemized understanding of how you are currently being charged by your waste hauler? 

  • Are there any fixed or maximum budgets that you must work with such as grant money. If you have a fixed budget, it is oftentimes better to let the supplier know this up front before a lot of wasted time is spent in the wrong direction.   

  • Besides recycling considerations, are there any other indirect or additional benefits that should be evaluated. For example, if you allocated extra money for a more versatile baler (that could handle numerous types of recyclables) would it reduce your waste hauling requirements to the point that you would be in a realistic position of self-hauling your own trash to a nearby landfill?

  • Regardless of what type of baler you are leaning towards, before purchasing, visualize the entire process based on all of the factors working together, including volume and type of recyclable, the specs, capabilities and output of the baler, where the baler would be located within your facility, who would operate the baler,  collection points etc. By envisioning the details in this manner, it may prompt you to think of other requirements or changes that will be necessary that will in turn change the baler requirements.  

  • If you are spending at least $700 - $800 per month in waste hauling charges, there is a good chance that there is some type of waste & recycling equipment that will offer a quick payback.  

  • Again, these are just a sample of some of the various types of considerations that will help you communicate better with your Baler supplier. The better you are prepared with this type of information about your particular circumstances, the greater the position you will be in for getting the right Baler for your business. 

Other Resources to help with this

Contributor / Editor - Matt Kennedy - Refer questions to info@wastecare.com  

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