When to Use a Baler Vs. a Compactor

Regularly managing large quantities of waste material is made much easier through use of a machine like a baler or compactor. Choosing between a baler and a compactor depends on the size and type of material to process and the receiver's preferences.

Material Type

• Balers are better for sorted recyclable waste, including agricultural material like hay and industrial material like reusable paper, cardboard and plastic. Compactors are better for unsorted mixed trash to send to a landfill.

Material Size

• Consider the quantity and volume of material to process per hour, day, month and year, as well as its size and shape, especially of the largest pieces. Hand-fed balers are better for smaller sizes and volumes. Conveyor-fed compactors are better for larger ones.

Destination

• The recycler or waste collector handling the finished material may prefer to receive it in a specific size and weight. The fewest number of the densest bales or containers is usually cheapest to transport but the most difficult to physically handle. If a trash collector is picking up the finished units, larger denser loads from a compactor are more acceptable than if you were hand-loading and transporting the material to a reprocessor yourself.