How Cardboard Balers Help the Circular Economy
As we all know, climate change is a big deal. Waste management is a big part of that. One often overlooked solution is the humble cardboard baler. These machines are in every business and recycling center and play a big part in reducing waste and being sustainable. In this article, we’ll look at how cardboard balers help the circular economy, and therefore our planet.
1) What is a Cardboard Baler
Before we get into the environmental benefits, we need to understand what cardboard balers do. Essentially, they are machines that compress cardboard into dense blocks or “bales” that can be easily transported and recycled. They come in all shapes and sizes from small machines for small businesses to industrial-size balers that can handle massive amounts of cardboard.
Related: How to Improve the Recyclability of Caps and Closures
2) The Environmental Benefits of Cardboard Balers
Reducing Landfill Waste and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The improper disposal of cardboard (like 72 million tonnes produced globally each year) ends up in landfills. When cardboard decomposes in these environments, it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas that accelerates climate change. By reducing the amount of cardboard that ends up in landfills, cardboard balers are helping to slow down global warming. In fact cardboard that’s trashed at the landfill breaks down and releases a toxic greenhouse gas known as “methane.”
Conserving Natural Resources
Recycling cardboard has a ripple effect that conserves natural resources. Producing new cardboard requires wood pulp, water and energy. When cardboard is recycled, these resources are spared. According to the Environmental Paper Network recycling one ton of cardboard saves 24 trees, 6,000 pounds of water and 4,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity compared to producing new cardboard.
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The cardboard recycling process also produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than producing virgin cardboard. A study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that recycling cardboard reduces CO2 emissions by 50% compared to making new cardboard. This helps combat climate change by reducing the amount of heat-trapping gases in the air.
Promoting Recycling and Energy Conservation
Cardboard balers are part of the recycling process. Compacting cardboard into dense bales makes it economical to transport recycled cardboard to paper mills, turning it into new paper products. This closed-loop system saves 24% of the energy to make new cardboard. Plus the recycling rate for cardboard boxes was over 93% in 2022, so balers are doing a great job of promoting recycling.
Saving Energy
Recycling cardboard is an energy-efficient process. It requires 50% less energy than making cardboard from raw materials. This energy saving means less fossil fuel is burned for power which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps combat climate change. Saving energy also means we use less finite resources and a more sustainable future.
Reducing Transportation Emissions
Cardboard balers play a direct role in reducing transportation emissions. By compressing cardboard into dense bales more material can be transported at once. This means fewer trips to transport recycled cardboard to processing facilities and reduces truck emissions. According to the EPA, for every ton of waste recycled .7 tons of greenhouse gas emissions are avoided.
Closed-Loop Recycling
Cardboard balers promote closed-loop recycling where materials are cycled back into new products. Cardboard can be recycled up to seven times before the fibers become too weak. Each time cardboard is recycled, it replaces virgin material, conserves resources and reduces pollution. By baling cardboard businesses keep this material in the recycling loop.
Creating Jobs and Growing the Economy
The recycling industry is a job creator. From plant workers who sort recyclables to drivers who transport materials, recycling employs hundreds of thousands of people. By baling cardboard businesses support the industry and the economy. The National Waste & Recycling Association states that recycling generates $117 billion in economic activity each year and 1.5 million jobs.
Related: 5 Ways to Reduce Your Manufacturing Business’ Plastic Footprint
3) For Businesses
Cardboard balers are a business tool for companies looking to reduce their environmental impact. By baling cardboard companies reduce the amount of waste they send to landfills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve natural resources. Cardboard balers also provide a cost savings as recycling is often cheaper than waste disposal. Companies can even make money by selling their baled cardboard to recycling facilities.
Related: What is Chemical Recycling and Why It Is not the Ultimate Solution to Plastic Pollution
4) For Communities
Cardboard balers are also a solution for communities looking to improve their recycling programs. Many municipalities struggle with recycling cardboard due to space and cost constraints. Balers allow you to compress cardboard making it easier and more cost-effective to transport and process. This encourages communities to recycle more cardboard and reduce waste and promote sustainability.
Related: Why Big Companies Should Invest in Sustainable and Innovative Plastic Alternatives?
5) Future Proof
As the world moves towards a circular economy, cardboard balers will play a bigger and bigger role. These machines recycle, conserve resources and reduce pollution. By investing in cardboard balers businesses and communities can reduce their environmental footprint and contribute to a greener future. As technology advances we will see even more efficient balers that reduce waste and maximize the benefits of cardboard recycling.
Related: Advocating for Environmental Responsibility Within Legal Guidelines
6) Conclusion
Cardboard balers are the unsung heroes in the fight against waste and climate change. By compressing cardboard into recyclable bales these machines reduce landfill waste, conserve natural resources and lower greenhouse gas emissions. They promote closed-loop recycling where materials are cycled back into new products. From businesses to communities cardboard balers are a simple and effective way to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainability. As we move forward investing in these machines and the recycling infrastructure they support will be key to a greener more circular future.
