How to increase corrugated recycling revenue
Step 1: Determine how much waste corrugated (OCC) you generate.
Collect at least a week's worth of OCC in one location. Use a tape measure or a ruler to measure the volume of corrugated that is (pick one or more):
Manually flattened and stacked.
Compacted by machine and stacked.
Baled by machine.
Determine if the week's sample is representative. If not, sample over a longer time period. The volume of OCC collected in an average week multiplied by 52 weeks will show the volume you generate in a year.
Make a list of contaminants in the corrugated, such as tape, foam padding, and plastic- or wax-coated corrugated. The more contamination, the lower the value of the OCC. You may also work with your suppliers to find alternative packaging methods or materials that eliminate these contaminants.
Once you have estimated the volume of the waste OCC, you can calculate its weight with the following conversion figures.
One cubic yard of OCC:
Flattened and loose weighs about 300 lbs.
Compacted weighs about 500 lbs.
Baled weighs about 1,100 lbs.
One cubic yard = 27 cubic feet = 46,656 cubic inches
Now you know the approximate volume, weight and amount of contamination of the corrugated you have to sell. You also can see the reduced volume of waste still needing disposal in dumpsters.
Step 2: Determine who should pick up the OCC.
When you contact a hauler or recycler, ask:
What is the price for recycling (your collected volume of corrugated)?
What is the disposal cost (for your remaining volume of waste)?
What can you do to increase the value of your waste corrugated?
How often will the hauler pick up?
Does the hauler provide any training materials or containers for recycling?
If you generate large amounts of corrugated, some "end-use" manufacturers may provide large containers or trailers to store your baled material on site. If you generate small amounts, consider self-hauling to a drop-off center or cooperating with other nearby businesses to arrange joint collection.
Step 3: Identify equipment needs.
Is a baler in your future?
Is it more cost-effective for you to supply your hauler with loose, compacted or baled corrugated? Loose or compacted OCC does not maximize value of the material like baled OCC does, but a even a basic baler will cost upwards of $5,000. Depending upon market conditions, you can expect about $20-40 more per ton for baled as opposed to compacted OCC. Does it pay to bale? The higher your volume, the faster the payback.
There are two basic types of baling machines for OCC.
Vertical (or downstroke) balers, which range from $5,000-40,000, are generally used by small- and medium-sized generators (minimum of 20 tons/year).
Horizontal balers – which start around $20,000, but can range up to $700,000 for the largest syst–are often used by larger generators of OCC (125-300 tons/year). These balers are faster, have greater capacity, and make larger bales than vertical balers.
The periodical Recycling Today did a special Baler Guide as a supplement to their February 1997 issue. This supplement goes into great depth about baler technology, includes a glossary and a vendor list, and is intended to help a company make an informed purchase decision. For a free reprint, call the OEA at 651-296-3417 or 800-657-3843 toll free.
If the cost of new equipment is prohibitive, look for used or remanufactured equipment. Lease options for equipment are sometimes available from a hauler or processor. Organizations can explore having the equipment donated.
Step 4: Implement recycling.
To establish an effective recycling program, or to optimize your existing recycling efforts, consider the following measures.
Designate specific locations for collection and storage.
Clearly label locations and containers, listing both acceptable and non-acceptable materials. Pictures and samples of materials are effective teaching tools.
Inform and train current employees, and include education about recycling and source reduction in the training of new employees.
Keep material clean. Contaminants decrease its value. Keep recycling containers free of such things as wet, wax- or plastic-coated, and rice-husk fiber corrugated boxes; boxboard, like cereal or soda pop boxes; plastic, rubber or metal bands; and other paper types.
Step 5: Ensure results.
Once you have started a recycling program, continue to support your efforts.
Create and post an environmental policy.
Make recycling and resource conservation a part of everyone's job description.
Have an "answer person." Provide a staff contact for answers to common recycling and waste reduction questions. Share these answers company-wide; many others may have the same question but weren't willing to ask.
Track and publicize progress. Document the environmental and cost savings to motivate employees and to apply for recycling awards. For a list of local, state and national award programs call the OEA at 651-296-3417 or 800-657-3843 toll free.
Recognize employee efforts. Include an "environmental" section in the company newsletter, or present certificates, letters of recognition, plaques or a free lunch to high achievers.
Share the good news! Trade associations and the local media often want the leads. Let your employees and community know you care about the environment as well as the economy.
Join Minnesota Waste Wise, a voluntary program to recognize and help business prevent waste.
Remember source reduction
A growing number of companies are finding that elimination, reduction and reuse of corrugated boxes is even more cost-effective than simply recycling OCC.
