Why cardboard baling matters most at Christmas: A guide for retail and hospitality businesses

A baler isn’t just for Christmas!

From stock deliveries and order packaging to bulk food and drink shipments, cardboard and plastic waste skyrockets in both retail and hospitality in the run-up to Christmas.

phs Wastekit works with businesses across the UK to help them stay efficient, safe and sustainable during the busy festive period – and throughout the year – by helping them to effectively bale their cardboard and plastic waste.

Why is baling waste important in retail and hospitality at Christmas?

1. It manages the mountains of packaging waste

Christmas trading naturally means more product movement. Retailers receive extra stock, and bars, restaurants and hotels take on larger deliveries to meet seasonal demand. Left unmanaged, this excess packaging quickly overwhelms back-of-house areas.

Baling keeps cardboard and plastic under control by compacting bulky waste into neat, stackable bales, freeing up valuable space at the time you need it most.

2. Creates a safer working environment

Loose cardboard and packaging creates slip hazards, blocks fire exits and clutters staff corridors. During the festive rush—when staffing levels may be stretched and shift turnover is fast—this can lead to accidents and inefficiency.

By baling cardboard and plastic at the source, you:

Reduce clutter and hazards
Prevent blocked walkways and storage areas
Speed up back-of-house operations
Give staff a simple, clear waste routine

Safer spaces mean smoother service at the busiest time of year.

3. It reduces costs

Baling not only reduces waste collection costs, but it can also bring in revenue.

Most retailers and hospitality venues see an increase in waste-collection fees over Christmas due to higher volumes and holiday-period surcharges.

Bales significantly cut down the number of collections needed, saving you money when costs are typically at their highest.

And depending on your cardboard output, you may even be able to sell your baled cardboard and plastic to recyclers—turning a waste problem into a revenue stream.

In October 2025, cardboard was fetching up to £80 per tonne at domestic mills and mixed plastic bottles were reaching up to £88 per tonne (Credit: www.letsrecycle.com)

4. Sustainability

Baling is a visible, measurable step toward a more sustainable festive season at a time when customers care about what happens to waste and base purchasing decisions on it.

5. Quick to implement and easy to use

A common misconception is that balers are complex to use or lengthily to install. phs Wastekit machines are:

Compact and suitable for small stockrooms or busy kitchens
Easy to use with minimal training
Quiet and safe
Designed to integrate into daily operations instantly with quick installation so you can hit the ground running.

Get in touch with our team today to make your waste one less thing you need to worry about this festive season.

If you're a retailer or hospitality business looking to improve safety, reduce costs and boost sustainability this Christmas, we can help you choose the perfect baler for your space and waste output with fast installation and instant results.

phs Wastekit one of the UK’s leading suppliers of balers, compactors and bins, providing businesses with a whole service approach that supports them on their sustainability journey.

We offer servicing and maintenance packages right across the UK, as well as partnerships with recycling companies to support customers on the road to greener waste management and greater sustainability goals.