A102 Small baler
- Very small footprint, only 0.45 m²
- 6–10 sec. pressing cycle
- Bale 40 kg cardboard / 100 kg plastic
- Optimal working height
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Discover our 3 most popular cardboard balers
A509 Wide Chamber Baler
- Extra wide filling chamber
- Bale 225 kg cardboard / 300 kg plastic
- Adjustable bale size
- 1.5 m² footprint
E619 Baler for Cardboard
- Bale 300 kg cardboard / 400 kg plastic
- Electric: quiet & free from hydraulics
- Locks pressing plate in place
- Extra wide door
Minimise your waste – grow your savings
Not sure which baler fits? Try one on site, or let us assess your waste streams first.
Free baler trial
Try a baler at your own site and see the difference in your daily routine before you decide.
Free site survey
A Mil-tek adviser assesses your waste streams and recommends the right machine for your site.
Pneumatic Cardboard Balers
Produces bales from 40–300 kg.
Simple Installation with Compressed Air
Pneumatic balers run on compressed air. They fit easily into environments like cafés, warehouses and production lines across all industries.
Ideal for Cardboard and Soft Plastic Film
Designed for recyclables such as cardboard and soft plastics, they are best suited for lighter, flexible materials.
Extremely Fast Compacting
A pneumatic baler compacts waste very efficiently. The fastest models feature a pressing cycle of only 6 seconds.
Clean Operation with Low Complexity
Operating without hydraulic oil eliminates leak risks. The simple air-powered system ensures reliable performance with straightforward maintenance.
A102 Cardboard Baler
- Bale 40 kg cardboard & 100kg plastic
- Floorspace footprint of 0.45m²
- Worlds’ fastest pressing cycle
A305 Cardboard Baler
- Bale 100kg cardboard & 170kg plastic
- Deep chamber for larger materials
- Automated bale-out function
A406 Cardboard Baler
- Bale 175 kg cardboard & 225 kg plastic
- Wide chamber for larger materials
- Only 1m² footprint
A509 Cardboard Baler
- Bale 225 kg cardboard & 300 kg plastic
- Heavy-duty baler for large waste volumes
- 1.5m² footprint
Electric Cardboard balers
Produces bales from 50–400 kg.
Flexible Installation with Standard Power
Electric balers operate on a standard power supply and require no compressed air. They are easy to install in retail stores, offices and warehouses.
Suitable for Cardboard, Film and PET
They compact cardboard and soft plastics into dense bales and can also handle PET bottles, offering stronger compaction than pneumatic models.
Effective for Growing Waste Volumes
With higher bale weights, electric balers provide improved volume reduction and are suited for businesses with steady or increasing waste quantities.
Clean and Controlled Performance
With no hydraulic oil involved, there is no risk of spills. They combine clean operation with reliable pressing force in a self-contained solution.
E119 Baler for cardboard
- Three pressing modes for tailored compaction
- Plug & Play with single-phase power
- Zero hydraulics, zero leaks
E319 Baler for cardboard
- Electric: almost silent running 57 dB (A)
- Electric: no hydraulic oil
- Safe and easy built-in bale ejection
E519 Baler for cardboard
- Low: total machine height less than 2m
- User-friendly door for simple loading
- Designed for high volumes of cardboard
E619 Baler for cardboard
- Electric: quiet & free from hydraulics
- Locks pressing plate in place
- Extra wide door
Hydraulic Cardboard Balers
Produces bales from 250–520 kg.
Built for High Waste Volumes
Hydraulic balers are designed for companies generating large and continuous amounts of recyclable waste, delivering significantly greater pressing force.
Compacts Heavy and Rigid Materials
They handle large volumes of cardboard as well as PET bottles and rigid plastics, making them suitable for demanding waste streams.
Maximum Density for Fewer Collections
By producing dense, heavy bales, hydraulic balers reduce storage needs and collection frequency, improving transport efficiency.
Build for Continuous Use
Built for intensive, long-term operation, hydraulic balers provide maximum compaction performance for industrial environments.
H501 Mill-Size Cardboard Baler
- Pallet-size bales of up to 450 kg.
- Send bales direct to mills for recycling
- Automatic bale ejection
H600 Mill Size Cardboard Baler
- Pallet-size bales of up to 500 kg.
- Send bales direct to mills for recycling
- Automatic door operation & bale ejection
50SD Mill Size Cardboard Baler
- Automatic door & bale ejection
- XL opening for large waste volume
- Produces 500kg Mill Size bales
Horizontal balers
A powerful solution to compact large volumes of waste into compact, stackable bales.
- Compact design: Takes up only 5 m²
- Compacts both cardboard and plastic
- Continuous filling with automatic start
- Semi-automatic bale ejection
- Press & Hold function for constant pressure
Comparison of popular cardboard balers
| A102 | A305 | A509 | E119 | E319 | E619 | H600 | H501 | 50SD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardboard bale | < 40 kg | < 90 kg | < 210 kg | < 50 kg | < 80 kg | < 300 kg | 340-450 kg | 350 - 400 kg | < 500 kg |
| Plastic bale | < 100 kg | < 165 kg | < 280 kg | < 80 kg | < 100 kg | < 400 kg | 340-500 kg | 350 - 450 kg | < 520 kg |
| Pressing cycle | 5-10 sec | 8-20 sec. | 12-25 sec. | 43 sec | 63 sec. | 65 sec. | 36 sec. | 40 sec. | 55 sec. |
| Degree of compaction | 85-90% | 85-90% | 85-90% | 85-90% | 85-90% | 85-90% | 85-90% | 85-90% | 85-90% |
| Bale size H x W x D (mm) | 710-830 x 655 x 450 | 710-830 x 655 x 850 | 710-830 x 1250 x 835 | 710-830 x 655 x 545 | 700-800 x 900 x 500 | 800-900 x 1500 x 800 | 800 x 1200 x 1100 | 800 x 1200 x 800 | 1120/1170 x 1270 x 770 |
| Door opening H x W x D (mm) | 505 x 655 x 415 | 570 x 655 x 815 | 570 x 1250 x 800 | 480 x 630 x 500 | 600 x 900 x 500 | 550 x 1500 x 800 | 550 x 1160 x 780 | 670 x 1200 x 780 | 610 x 1140 x 770 |
| Machine size H x W x D (mm) | 2192 x 831 x 541 | 2380 x 829 x 1034 | 2380 x 1420 x 1040 | 2260 x 800 x 720 | 1855 x 1165 x 810 | 2070 x 1915 x 990 | 2170 x 1890 x 1400 | 3100 x 1600 x 1300 | 3160 x 1885 x 1105 |
| Noise level | < 70 db (A) | < 70 db (A) | < 70 db (A) | < 70 db (A) | <60 dB (A) | <65 dB(A) | < 70 db (A) | < 70 db (A) | < 70 db (A) |
| Pressure | 2500 kg at 8 bar | 4000 kg at 8 bar | 8000 kg, at 8 bar | Up to 2,5 tonnes | 15.000 kg | 25.000 kg | <60 tons | <50 tons | 50 tons |
| Approvals | CE, EN16500, UKCA | CE, EN16500, UKCA | CE, EN16500, UKCA | CE, EN16500 | CE, EN16500, UKCA | CE, EN16500, UKCA | CE, GS & UKCA | CE, GS & UKCA | CE, EN16500, UKCA |
| Power supply | 1 x 230V/50Hz / 10 Amp | 3 X 400V / 16 Amp | 3 X 400V / 16 Amp | 7,5 kW - 3x400V - 25 Amp |
How a cardboard baler works
1. Load – Put loose boxes and cardboard straight into the chamber – no flattening needed.
2. Compact – Close the door and press start. Repeat until the chamber is full.
3. Tie off and eject – Tie the bale, eject it and store it until collection by your recycler.
Read the full guide: How does a cardboard baler work?
The clear benefits of compacting cardboard into bales
60%
60% savings on waste pickups and the investment paid back within a year. By compacting cardboard and big bags.
Learn more
75%
Internal forklift transport reduced by 75% by implementing a Lean waste handling solution.
Learn more
60%
Internal transport reduced by 60%, improved efficiency, and achieved zero waste to landfill thanks to a baler.
Learn moreCardboard baler hire and purchase options with Mil‑tek
At Mil-tek, we offer flexible solutions for acquiring your cardboard baler. Whether you’re considering cardboard baler hire or outright purchase, we ensure a seamless experience tailored to your business needs.
Hire a baler
- Starting from as little as 12 months
- Low upfront cost with predictable weekly payments
- Flexibility to up- and downgrade as your needs change
- Maintenance and servicing included for peace of mind
- Installation and training included
Buy a baler
- Purchase a baler outright to maximise long-term savings
- Full ownership of the equipment
- Ideal for businesses with consistent, high-volume needs
- Installation and training included
Frequently Asked Questions
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A cardboard baler compacts loose cardboard boxes and pieces into bales, using pneumatic, hydraulic or electric pressure.
You simply load the cardboard in the chamber, close the door, press the start button, and the machine starts compacting. Once full, the bale is tied off and removed. Read more: How does a cardboard baler work
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Common types of cardboard balers include vertical cardboard balers, horizontal cardboard balers, and twin-chamber balers.
Small businesses typically choose vertical balers, while high-volume operations benefit from horizontal or mill-size balers.
The right machine depends on things like waste volume, available space, and required bale weight.
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Bale size varies by machine:
- Small balers: 40–80 kg bales
- Medium balers: 100–200 kg
- Mill-size and horizontal balers: 300–600 kg
Heavier bales are ideal for selling directly to recyclers, who often prefer mill-size weights.
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A baler reduces waste collections, lowers disposal costs, and frees up valuable floor space.
It also cuts labour time spent flattening cardboard and can generate revenue if you sell baled cardboard to recyclers.
Cleaner, safer, and more sustainable operations are common benefits.
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Cardboard balers are primarily designed for cardboard and paper, but many models can also compact soft plastics such as shrink wrap or plastic film. Some higher-pressure models are even capable of compacting PET bottles if specified for that purpose.
For best recycling quality, materials should always be clean, dry, and properly sorted. Mixing different material types is not recommended.
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Mil-tek balers and compactors are engineered with safety at their core. Designed to be simple, easy and safe to operate, they feature built-in fail-safe mechanisms and are rigorously tested to meet EN16500 safety standards.
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For most businesses that handle cardboard every day, yes. A baler cuts the number of waste collections, frees up floor space and saves the time spent flattening boxes. How much it saves depends on your cardboard volume and current collection costs – a free site survey gives you the answer for your site.
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The cost depends on the model and power source, the bale size you need, and whether you hire, buy new or buy refurbished. Tell us about your waste volumes and we will send you a quote.
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Operators should receive basic training, follow safety signage, and never reach into the chamber. Routine checks include monitoring hydraulic oil, cleaning the machine, and inspecting wear parts. Servicing is minimal but should be carried out regularly to keep the baler running smoothly.
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For many businesses the result of the waste legislation is more bins, more collections, less space, higher costs. But with a cardboard baler you can avoid yet another bin. Compact the cardboard on site and transform your waste management process.
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Cardboard rebate values in the UK fluctuate monthly based on market demand. As a guide:
- Clean mill-size bales (400–600 kg) typically command the highest rebate
- Smaller or lighter bales may still be collected, but offer lower prices or free collection only
Read more: Can you get money for cardboard?
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In most cases, no planning permission is required to install a cardboard baler on your premises, as balers are classified as standard industrial equipment. However, UK businesses should ensure:
- The baler is positioned on a flat, solid floor
- There is enough overhead clearance for the press plate to operate
- The baler is installed in a safe, accessible area for operators and waste collectors
Cardboard compactor or cardboard baler? – what you actually need
Looking for a cardboard compactor, cardboard crusher or cardboard compressor? For cardboard, the machine you need is a cardboard baler. It compacts loose boxes into tight bales that are collected for recycling – a compactor is built for general waste. Here’s how to tell them apart:
Cardboard baler
- Designed to compress cardboard into tight, stackable bales.
- Produces recyclable bales that can be tied and sold to recyclers.
- Bales are generally consistent in size and density.
Cardboard compactor
- Designed to reduce waste volume, not produce recyclable bales.
- Cardboard is compacted loosely into a container.
- The output is not a tied bale—it’s mixed or loose compressed material.