Managing waste is more than a backend task for businesses today. It’s a strategic opportunity to lower costs, increase efficiency, and demonstrate corporate responsibility.
For businesses generating significant amounts of Old Corrugated Containers (OCC), understanding how to handle, store, and recycle these materials effectively is vital. This guide dives into Old Corrugated Containers (OCC) and discusses what businesses should know for effective waste management.
What Are Old Corrugated Containers (OCC)?
Old Corrugated Containers, often referred to simply as OCC, are cardboard materials typically used for packaging and shipping. They consist primarily of a strong, durable material made from kraft paper with a fluted structure sandwiched between flat liners. Common examples include shipping boxes, cardboard storage containers, and packaging for consumer goods.
OCC is one of the most recyclable materials, making it an increasingly important resource in waste management strategies. However, managing OCC waste efficiently requires businesses to plan ahead.
Why Understanding OCC Matters for Your Business
OCC waste is one of the most commonly recycled materials in the world. Yet many businesses view it as just another byproduct instead of a valuable resource. For businesses that frequently deal with packaging, such as e-commerce operations or retailers, OCC management affects their bottom line and environmental footprint.
Failing to streamline OCC recycling results in higher waste disposal costs due to increased landfill fees or contamination penalties. Conversely, recycling OCC creates opportunities to sell this waste as a commodity, boosting sustainability credentials while achieving cost savings.
What Types of Businesses Generate the Most OCC?
Businesses involved in shipping, retail, manufacturing, and distribution typically generate the largest quantities of OCC. For example, retail stores receive goods in cardboard boxes daily, which results in stacks of discarded OCC. Similarly, e-commerce businesses depend on corrugated packaging for shipping products globally. Logistics companies, warehouses, and grocery stores also deal with OCC in significant volumes.
If your business falls into one of these categories, the way you handle OCC waste can have a significant influence on operational efficiency. An effective OCC management plan is vital for businesses producing large amounts of cardboard waste.
How Should Your Business Handle OCC Waste?
Proper OCC waste management involves separating it from general waste streams to prevent contamination and promote easy recycling. Designate specific zones for collecting and storing OCC, and train employees on how to flatten and stack cardboard to minimize storage space.
Many businesses find that investing in a solution like a vertical baler simplifies OCC waste handling significantly. A vertical baler compresses cardboard into compact bales that are easier to store and transport to recycling facilities. By condensing OCC waste, your business will optimize space and enhance efficiency in recycling efforts.
What Are the Benefits of Recycling OCC?
Recycling OCC offers a variety of benefits that impact the environment and your business operations. Paper mills routinely buy recycled OCC to produce new materials, which gives your business the opportunity to monetize cardboard instead of paying landfill fees.
Environmentally, every ton of recycled OCC saves over three cubic yards of landfill space and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by cutting down on the demand for virgin pulp. From a branding perspective, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability through recycling shows your customers and stakeholders that your business values eco-friendly practices, ultimately boosting trust and loyalty.
How Can a Vertical Baler Improve OCC Waste Management?
Vertical balers are highly effective tools for businesses looking to simplify OCC management. Essentially, these machines compress loose OCC into uniform, stackable bales. By reducing the volume of cardboard waste, vertical balers save storage space and minimize hauling costs.
For businesses that generate large amounts of OCC, using a vertical baler also means fewer trips to recycling centers. The neat, dense bales created by a baler are easier for recycling facilities to process, often resulting in better rates when selling baled OCC as a recyclable resource.
What Are the Common Mistakes in Handling OCC?
Despite its recyclability, OCC waste is often mishandled, which leads to avoidable inefficiencies. One common mistake is allowing wet or soiled OCC to mix with clean cardboard, as contamination reduces its recycling value. Failing to separate OCC from other waste streams also leads to valuable resources ending up in landfills.
Another often-overlooked issue is improper storage. Leaving OCC loosely stacked in unprotected areas results in clutter, fire hazards, and contamination from exposure to weather. These mistakes are avoidable with small adjustments to processes and employee training efforts.
How To Store OCC Properly Before Recycling
Storing OCC correctly is vital to maximize its recycling potential. Start by flattening boxes and stacking them neatly to reduce volume. Ideally, keep OCC indoors or under cover to protect it from rain, moisture, or dirt, as contamination renders OCC unsuitable for recycling.
Investing in storage solutions, such as pallets or bins, can consolidate OCC waste and prevent clutter. Additionally, setting clear guidelines and accountability for employees involved in waste management ensures proper handling of OCC from the moment it’s discarded to when it’s sent for recycling.
What Are the Costs and ROI of OCC Recycling Programs?
The costs associated with OCC recycling programs include those for collection, storage, and baling equipment. Initial investment may also go toward employee training in best practices. However, these costs are often outweighed by the long-term returns.
Many businesses find collecting and selling OCC to be profitable over time. Selling baled OCC to recycling facilities generates additional income, while reduced landfill disposal costs provide further savings. Paired with the intangible benefits of improved sustainability branding, the ROI of OCC recycling programs makes them an excellent investment for most businesses.
The Latest Trends in OCC Recycling
The OCC recycling industry is evolving rapidly as businesses and consumers focus more on sustainability. Key trends include the increased adoption of vertical balers to efficiently process OCC waste, as well as innovations in cardboard recycling technology that make processes faster and more cost-effective.
Global demand for recycled cardboard remains high, driven by the rise in e-commerce and the need for sustainable packaging. Staying informed about advancements in recycling processes and equipment innovations will help your business retain a competitive edge in OCC waste management.
Maximizing the Value of OCC for Your Business
Effectively managing Old Corrugated Containers is no longer optional for businesses committed to reducing costs and improving sustainability. With proper handling, storage, and recycling practices, OCC transitions from bulky waste to a potential source of income and brand value.
With a more comprehensive view of OCC, it’s time for your business to leverage the benefits of a commercial-grade baler. Partner with Compactor Rentals of America to get started!
