The importance of sustainable business can’t be overstated. Waste management is a major contributor to the negative environmental impact of a business and ensuring that you have the best waste management practices in place can help mitigate any harm your business may cause the environment. One way to make sure you’re managing your waste as well as possible is by investing in compactors and balers.
Waste Compactors vs Balers
So, what are compactors and balers? They’re two types of machinery that compress waste into smaller, more manageable pieces of waste. Generally, a compactor can compress general waste, while a baler is suitable for recyclable materials such as paper and cardboard.
Waste Compactors
Trash compactors help to reduce the volume of waste. They can process different types of waste, making it easier to store and transport. Less volume means fewer waste collections, which can save on collection costs and reduce the associated carbon footprint.
Styles of compactor
Depending on your requirements, compactors come in different configurations:
- Breakaway compactors: Designed for heavy commercial, industrial, and mini-transfer station use.
- Self-contained compactors: Schools, large restaurants, supermarkets, and hospitals can benefit from installing a self-contained compactor. They are leak-proof and can control insects and odors.
- Vertical compactors: Ideal for locations that have limited space.
Recycling balers
Balers process recyclable materials such as cardboard and paper, which can be disposed of in compost bins, recycling centers, or green waste bins. The baler can reduce the volume of waste by reducing a single-stream recycling system to a dual-stream recycling system. For example, if your business is currently only collecting recyclables separately from general waste, and if the volume of both are high enough to need sorting, you can use a baler to bulk up both and make it easier for customers to recycle their cardboard and paper.
Styles of baler
Balers come in different models depending on what you need them for. Common models include:
- Vertical balers: Ideal for businesses that have an ongoing stream of tightly packed recyclables. Similar to the vertical compactor, vertical balers have a smaller footprint and require less space than horizontal balers.
- Horizontal balers: These benefit from a larger capacity with a footprint as large as 40 feet in length. They are recommended for companies with 100s of tons of recyclables each month.
- Closed-door horizontal balers: The design of a closed-door baler allows materials to be compacted even further. This increased density further reduces the space requirements for recyclable materials being compacted.
How can waste compactors and balers benefit your business?
Both compactors and balers make waste collection easier and more efficient by reducing the amount of space required to store and transport waste. For example, a correctly installed plastic baler can deliver a reduction of waste volume by up to 90%.
Compactors and balers are an affordable way to reduce the impact that waste has on your business. Not only does reducing the waste you generate make your business more sustainable, but it can also help you to better manage costs and deal with rising waste collection costs.
Waste Management and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programs
Today more customers, B2B and B2C, require businesses to have a comprehensive and sustainable corporate social responsibility (CSR) program. Waste management, as a part of a strategic CSR program, can play an important role in accomplishing it.
Waste management has become a significant component of today’s CSR programs. There are many approaches to waste management, but the two most common are the refuse by-products process and the closed-loop system. The former is better suited for smaller businesses, while the latter is better for larger businesses with large volumes of waste to manage.
Discarded goods being converted into usable products are an important aspect of CSR programs. It helps reduce pollution and also contributes to economic growth by reducing the costs associated with disposing of waste. The main catalyst for this type of CSR program is cost savings on collection and disposal, along with savings on energy usage in industrial facilities.
Waste management is one of the most en vogue concepts that can support your CSR strategy, as it focuses on community change and maintaining and improving the quality of life for the people nearby by employing initiatives such as recycling, wastewater treatment, and composting.
Waste management showcases the importance of sustainability in business. It also shows that companies are aware that they have a significant impact on the environment, and therefore must make waste management a priority.
The most appropriate tool depends on the amount of waste you need to deal with. The more you need to deal with and the more materials you need to contain then it is advisable to seek expert advice on compactors and balers.
Contracting a reputable waste management company can save you money in the long run as it removes the risk of making mistakes. These companies have experience in managing trash and can also help you to choose the right equipment for each situation.
If you are looking for a cost-effective way to manage your waste while increasing your bottom line, then waste compactors and balers are an excellent option. Learn more about these machines by talking to your local waste management company.
Related: How do we deal with medical wastes?