Cardboard Balers
Reduce cardboard volume by up to 90%, cut collections and free up space.
With over 30 years of experience, we provide cardboard baler solutions to help your business handle cardboard waste effectively.
Save time
Reduce the time spent handling cardboard waste with Mil-tek’s efficient baling machines, allowing employees to focus on core tasks rather than waste management.
Save money
Eliminate the cost of multiple bins and frequent waste pickups by compacting waste into recyclable bales, leading to significant long-term savings and improved operational efficiency.
Save space
Compact waste by up to 90%, freeing up valuable storage space in your workplace that can be repurposed for inventory, equipment, or other critical uses.
Discover Our 3 Most Popular Cardboard Balers
A102 Small Baler
- Very small footprint, only 0.45m²
- Worlds’ fastest pressing cycle
- Bale 40 kg cardboard/100kg plastic
- Optimal working height
A509 Wide Chamber Baler
- Extra wide filling chamber
- Bale 225 kg cardboard/300 kg plastic
- Adjustable bale size
- 1.5m² footprint
Pneumatic Cardboard Balers
Pneumatic balers are the core of Mil-tek's expertise.
These machines are powered by compressed air, offering a simple, clean, and low-maintenance alternative to hydraulic or electric systems.
Their design makes them especially suited to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and retail operations, where space, budget, and ease of use are key considerations.
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Electric Cardboard balers
Low-height balers with powerful performance!
Our electrical balers for cardboard waste offer a compact design with high pressing force, making them ideal for spaces with limited ceiling height.
They efficiently compress large volumes of cardboard into dense bales, maximizing space and reducing transportation costs.
Free of hydraulic oil, these balers eliminate leak risks, ensuring cleaner, safer operations with less environmental impact and reduced maintenance.
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Hydraulic Cardboard Balers
If your business generates large cardboard waste streams, a hydraulic baler is the perfect heavy-duty solution.
At Mil-tek, we offer durable vertical and horizontal hydraulic balers designed specifically for businesses with significant cardboard waste streams. These machines excel in compressing heavy materials into dense, compact bales, with some models producing mill-size bales ready for recycling and optimized for transport, saving time and logistical costs.
Engineered for durability and high-capacity operations, our hydraulic balers are ideal for industries like retail, warehousing, manufacturing, and distribution.
Whether you choose a vertical or horizontal baler, these machines provide the pressing power to efficiently compact large amounts of cardboard, freeing up space and significantly reducing waste disposal expenses.
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Comparison of popular cardboard balers
| A102 | A305 | A509 | E119 | E319 | E619 | H600 | H501 | 50SD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardboard bale | < 40 kg | < 100 kg | < 225 kg | < 50 kg | < 80 kg | < 300 kg | 340-450 kg | 350 - 400 kg | < 500 kg |
| Plastic bale | < 100 kg | < 175 kg | < 300 kg | < 80 kg | < 100 kg | < 400 kg | 340-500 kg | 350 - 450 kg | < 520 kg |
| Pressing cycle | 6-10 sec. | 10-20 sec. | 15-25 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 | 760-880 x 655 x 850 | 760-880 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) | 2292 x 832 x 541 | 2530 x 825 x 1034 | 2530 x 1450 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 | 7,5 kW - 3x400V - 25 Amp | 7,5 kW - 3x400V - 25 Amp |
Horizontal baler for cardboard
Horizontal balers offer 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
The clear benefits of compacting cardboard into bales
Cardboard 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 cardboard baler starting from as little as 12 months.
- Purchase a baler outright to maximize long-term savings.
- Buy a refurbished baler cost-effective solutions
All options come with:
- Professional installation for immediate use.
- Operator training to ensure safety and efficiency.
- Ongoing servicing to keep your operations hassle-free.
Benefits of renting a cardboard baler:
- Low upfront cost with predictable weekly payments.
- Flexibility to up- and downgrade as your needs change.
- Maintenance and servicing included for peace of mind.
Benefits of buying a cardboard baler:
- Greater cost savings over the long term.
- Full ownership of the equipment.
- Ideal for businesses with consistent, high-volume needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a cardboard baler and how does it work?
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.
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.
2. What types of cardboard balers are available, and which one do I need?
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.
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.
3. What size and weight are the bales?
Bale size varies by machine:
- Small balers: 40–80 kg bales
- Medium balers: 100–200 kg
- Mill-size and horizontal balers: 300–600 kg
4. What are the benefits of using a cardboard baler?
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.
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.
5. Can I bale only cardboard, or other materials too?
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.
For best recycling quality, materials should always be clean, dry, and properly sorted. Mixing different material types is not recommended.
6. What are the safety and maintenance requirements?
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.
7. How much can I earn from selling baled cardboard in the UK?
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
8. Do I need planning permission or special installation requirements for a cardboard baler in the UK?
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