Balers 101: When Does Investing in Equipment Pay Off?

For many businesses, cardboard and plastic waste is just something that piles up at the back of the warehouse until it’s collected. But if you’re producing enough recyclable material, there’s a simple piece of equipment that can completely change how you manage waste: a baler.

Balers compress waste like cardboard or plastic into dense, stackable bales. This not only saves valuable space but also makes recycling more efficient and cost-effective. The real question is: when does investing in a baler actually make sense for your business?

In this article, we’ll cover what balers are, the different types available, the costs involved, and how to work out whether investing in one could save your business money in the long run.

What Exactly Is a Baler?

A baler is essentially a press that compacts recyclable materials into bales, which can then be tied up and stacked neatly until collection. Instead of filling multiple bins with loose cardboard or plastic, you’re left with compact blocks that are easy to transport and store.

There are two main types:

• Vertical balers: Smaller, more affordable machines that are ideal for SMEs producing moderate amounts of waste.

• Horizontal balers: Larger, more powerful machines designed for businesses with high waste volumes.

Both types do the same job but differ in size, capacity, and cost.

The Real Costs: Buy vs Hire

Balers range from £1,000 to over £500,000 to purchase outright, depending on size and spec. That’s not small change for most businesses, which is why many choose to rent or lease instead.

Leasing spreads out the cost into monthly payments and often includes servicing, which can make budgeting easier. Hiring can also be a good option for businesses that want to trial a baler before committing to a full purchase.

The important thing to remember is that balers aren’t just a cost. They can generate savings and even income.

How Balers Save You Money

Here’s where the math comes in. A baler saves money in three main ways:

1. Reducing bin collections – Loose cardboard and plastic take up huge amounts of space in bins. A baler condenses that into dense bales, so you’ll need fewer bins and fewer collections. Less frequent collections = lower costs.

2. Rebates for baled material – Waste buyers will actually pay more for baled materials than for loose recyclables. For example, baled cardboard can earn rebates of £60–£100 per tonne, which helps offset your waste management costs.

3. Operational efficiency – Stacked bales are easier to store and keep workspaces clear. Less clutter means safer, tidier premises.

Over time, these savings often outweigh the upfront cost of the equipment.

When Does It Pay Off?

As a general rule, if your business is producing 2 tonnes or more per week of cardboard, paper or soft plastic waste, you’re likely at the point where a baler makes financial sense. At this point, businesses like SO Recycle will start offering rebates for your material, which will start to offset the cost of a baler. 

However, what’s right for your business depends on several factors. If you’re considering a baler, ask yourself:

• What materials do we generate the most of?
• How much space do we have for the machine?
• Do we want to buy, lease, or hire?
• How quickly do we expect ROI (return on investment)? 
• And be sure to consider factors like the labour to load a baler, the consumables and power supply.
• Can the baler be located in the area the waste is produced? If waste needs to be double handled then suddenly a baler can become very labour intensive and expensive. 
• Some businesses find that as many as 50 x 1100ltr bins are still the best option, froma cost and efficiency perspective.

A trusted recycling partner can help you calculate your exact break-even point.

Conclusion

Balers aren’t for everyone, but for businesses producing large volumes of cardboard, paper or plastic waste, they can be a real game-changer. By cutting down on labour, bin collections, earning rebates, and improving storage efficiency, investing in a baler can quickly pay off.

At SO Recycle, we help businesses of all sizes assess whether a baler is the right move and provide advice on purchase, hire, or rebate schemes. If you’re not sure whether your waste volumes justify the investment, our team can walk you through the numbers and help you make the right choice.

Sometimes we can even offer a baler free of charge, in return for the material, its worth discussing options before committing to long term rental contracts.

Ready to find out if a baler could save your business money? Contact SO Recycle today for a free waste assessment. Contact us via action@sorecycle.co.uk today.