A regular question we get asked by potential customers is ‘do I need a baler or a compactor for my business?’ To help answer this increasingly common query, we’ve gone back to basics in our latest blog, to explain the difference between these two types of waste machinery…
What does a baler do?
Waste balers are designed to enable businesses to better handle dry recyclable materials such as cardboard, paper or plastics.
Some organisations already segregate such products from their general waste stream, but the materials are often bulky, so they quickly fill recycling bins and skips, or they are otherwise difficult to store which can lead to an untidy site – not to mention a safety hazard in many instances.
Processing these materials through a waste baler on the other hand, means the recyclables are effectively compressed into cube shapes that are easier to store on site, and subsequently transport.
These bales can then be collected by a recycling company, leaving the business with peace of mind that they’ve diverted valuable resources from landfill, upheld their responsibilities to reduce their carbon footprint and probably achieved a tidier site in the process.
Depending on the size and quality of the bale, it is also even possible to generate a revenue stream from the sale of the recyclable materials – especially if a mill size baler is in operation. This soon offsets the cost to buy or rent the baler.
Even if it isn’t possible to secure a rebate, the cost savings associated with reduced skip lifts alone, can lead to a swift payback period for the machine. (We’ve dedicated a page on our website to such sums, so you can soon see how an investment would stack up for your business).
Waste balers come in all shapes and sizes, but the majority of Riverside’s range are vertical machines, with two horizontal models also available and even an integrated shredder-baler system. The idea of offering such a wide variety, is to ensure our clients only need to invest in the equipment they really need.
What does a compactor do?
It sounds an obvious statement to make – a compactor is a machine that compacts waste! So, don’t worry, we won’t just leave it there. Typically larger than most waste balers, this equipment can handle various dry commercial and industrial recyclables – as well as mixed and even wet wastes – to achieve size reduction at a typical rate of 4:1.
The greater capacity of a compactor – versus a waste baler – means this type of technology is sought by organisations that wish to optimise their payloads and lower their waste handling costs.
But impressive throughput potential doesn’t mean these machines are big and clunky. The three most popular models in our range, for example, have an extremely neat footprint, which means they can slot into a client’s manufacturing plant, warehouse or even a supermarket logistics area, with ease. We also have static and portable compactors available.
Like our balers, the compactors are safe and easy to operate, as equally straightforward to maintain, and can even come supplied with an in-built liquid retentive seal to prevent effluent discharge when handling those trickier wet wastes. What’s more, the solutions within our waste machinery portfolio also offer state-of-the-art technological features such as SMS/email alerts notifying the operator of fill levels and machine faults, in real-time. This is how savvy modern compactors have become, without breaking the bank.
Is a waste baler or a waste compactor right for you?
Still unclear as to which type of machine your business would most benefit from? Please feel free to contact the team or call 01423 325038 to discuss your specific requirements and we’ll happily advise you from there.
