Show Keyboard Shortcuts

Cardboard Balers for Sale or Hire

Choosing the right cardboard baler comes down to three things:

  • How much waste your site produces
  • How much space you have available
  • Whether buying or hiring is the better fit for your operation

At phs Wastekit, we supply cardboard balers for sale and hire across the UK. From compact vertical models for retail and hospitality through to high-capacity horizontal and mill-size machines for warehouses, distribution centres and manufacturing sites.

Custom Form (Double Click To Edit)

Cardboard Balers for Sale or Hire

Choosing the right cardboard baler comes down to three things: how much waste your site produces, how much space you have available, and whether buying or hiring is the better fit for your operation. At phs Wastekit, we supply cardboard balers for sale and hire across the UK, helping businesses match the right machine to their waste volumes, site layout and commercial priorities.    

Buying or hiring a cardboard baler 

Whether to buy or hire a cardboard baler depends on how you want to manage the cost, ownership and maintenance of the equipment. We offer both options, but the right choice usually comes down to how predictable your waste volumes are, and whether you want capital tied up in the machine.

Buying makes sense when: 

  • Your waste volumes are stable and long-term
  • You want to spread the cost through finance and own the asset outright
  • You have a permanent site where the machine will stay in place 

Hiring makes sense when:

  • You need flexibility for a short-term project, seasonal peak or new site
  • You'd prefer everything including repairs and breakdowns covered in a simple fixed monthly cost
  • You want to avoid upfront capital expenditure
  • You're testing whether a baler is right before committing to purchase

We also offer used and refurbished cardboard balers for sale which is worth considering where budget is tighter. Whether you're considering hiring or buying, we can walk you through contract lengths, prices, cover levels and the machines best suited to your waste stream.

Compactor Being Serviced

What is a cardboard baler and how does it work? 

Cardboard balers compress loose cardboard into dense, uniform bales for storage, transport and recycling. It replaces the informal stacking and bin-filling most sites rely on by default, turning cardboard from a bulky operational problem into a manageable, transportable output.

The process is straightforward: 

  1. Cardboard is loaded through the front chamber — manually on smaller machines or via conveyor on high-volume horizontal models
  2. A hydraulic ram compresses the material against a fixed plate 
  3. Once full, the compressed cardboard is tied off with baling wire or strapping 
  4. The finished bale is ejected and stored ready for collection or resale 

Baling reduces cardboard volume by 80–90%, which means fewer collections, less floor space taken up by loose material and, in many cases, a rebate on the bales through recycling schemes. Balers are often confused with compactors, which do a different job, you can learn more about compactors here.

Types of cardboard baler 

There are several different types of cardboard baler, each suited to different waste volumes, site sizes and operating patterns. Choosing the right type matters more than choosing a specific model, the wrong category will underperform, even if the machine is well-specified. 

Vertical cardboard balers :

Vertical balers are the most common choice for retail, hospitality,  and small-to-mid warehouse operations. They compress cardboard downwards with a hydraulic ram, producing bales ejected forward from the chamber. They suit sites with limited floor space, steady volumes, manual loading and single-phase power. Our vertical range runs from compact single-store units to high-capacity models.


Horizontal cardboard balers :

Horizontal balers suit higher-volume operations where cardboard is loaded continuously, often by conveyor. The ram compresses material horizontally, producing much larger, denser bales (200–500kg). Right for large distribution centres, manufacturing and print operations with three-phase power and dedicated floor space, and where bales need to meet mill-ready specifications for direct resale. 


Mill-size balers  :

Mill-size balers produce bales at the specification paper mills require, so bales can be sold directly into the recycling supply chain rather than through an intermediary. They typically produce 500–600kg bales and suit very high-volume sites. The commercial case is often the strongest of any category, because higher-grade bales command better rebate rates. For sites generating enough cardboard, the machine can pay for itself. 


Multi-chamber balers  :

Multi-chamber balers process more than one waste stream at once, typically cardboard alongside plastic film letting sites separate materials at source, without a separate machine for each. They're well suited to smaller sites where floor space rules out multiple machines. 

Compactor Being Serviced

How much does a cardboard baler cost? 

Cardboard baler prices depend on type, size, throughout and whether you buy outright, use finance, or hire on a monthly contract. For new and used buying, get in touch for a price list. For rental as a guide you can expect: 

Small balers (shops, restaurants, small warehouses) — from £25 per week  

Mid-size balers (mid-size retail, back-of-house) — from £35 per week 

Large twin chamber balers (distribution, manufacturing) — from £43 per week  

Mill-size balers — from £47 per week 

The main factors that move price are chamber size (bale weight), throughput, power supply (single- vs three-phase) and features like conveyor loading or automatic tying.

Budget should also account for installation, operator training, a servicing contract and consumables (baling wire/strapping). 

Do I need a cardboard baler or compactor?

A baler compresses recyclable material into transportable bales. A compactor compresses mixed waste into a container ready for collection. The right one depends on what your waste stream looks like. 

Choose a cardboard baler when: 

  • You generate a steady stream of cardboard or dry recyclables 
  • You want to separate materials and improve recycling value 
  • You want neater storage and fewer loose boxes on site

Choose a compactor when:   

  • Most of your waste is mixed or non-recyclable   
  • Your main goal is reducing bin volume, or you handle bagged / food waste
  • You want to cut collection frequency and overflowing containers 

Training is particularly important. Safe operation, correct loading and basic machine care all help protect uptime and reduce avoidable faults.

We also offer maintenance plans designed to keep equipment compliant, safe and productive. Depending on the level of cover required, this can include scheduled servicing, breakdown attendance, labour cover and parts support.

Which businesses use a cardboard baler?

At phs Wastekit, we combine national coverage with practical waste handling expertise. We supply a broad range of cardboard balers, plastic balers, compactors and specialist equipment, backed by recommendation support, training, servicing and spare parts.

We regularly support businesses across:

Small cardboard balers for low to medium waste volumes

Small cardboard balers are ideal when waste volumes are regular but floor space is limited. These machines are well suited to back-of-house areas, stockrooms and smaller service yards where a full-size baler would be impractical.

Our smaller  vertical balers  offer:

  • A compact footprint for tighter spaces
  • Straightforward loading and bale handling
  • Bale weights suited to low to medium output
  • Options that can handle cardboard and plastic

Where space is especially tight, or where you need to separate more than one material stream, multi-chamber optionscan also help manage cardboard and plastic in one machine.

Large Cardboard Balers for Higher Waste Volumes

When your site produces large volumes of cardboard every day, higher-capacity machines are ideal and designed for faster throughput, heavier bale weights and fewer interruptions to daily operations. Large cardboard balers are typically the right fit for distribution centres, manufacturing facilities and major retail operations.

The main benefits are clear:

  • Larger bale sizes
  • Fewer waste collections  
  • Less loose packaging on site
  • Improved handling efficiency
  • Stronger recycling segregation

For higher-output sites, technical factors also matter more. Machine footprint, loading access, bale weight and power supply all need to be considered early. Some larger balers require a three-phase power supply, so this should always be checked during the selection process.

Installation, training, servicing and breakdown support

Choosing the right machine is only part of the process. We also support the setup and ongoing performance of your equipment.

Our support includes:

  • Site surveys and recommendation guidance
  • Installation planning
  • Fewer waste collections  
  • Operator training
  • Routine servicing
  • Maintenance plans
  • Breakdown support
  • Spare parts supply

Training is particularly important. Safe operation, correct loading and basic machine care all help protect uptime and reduce avoidable faults.

Our maintenance plans are designed to keep equipment compliant, safe and productive. Depending on the level of cover required, this can include scheduled servicing, breakdown attendance, labour cover and parts support.

Why Choose phs Wastekit for Cardboard Balers?

At phs Wastekit we combine national coverage with practical waste handling expertise. We supply a broad range of cardboard balers, plastic balers, compactors and specialist equipment, backed by recommendation support, training, servicing and spare parts.

Businesses choose us because we offer:

  • Flexibility – buy new and used or hire with flexible contracts
  • Nationwide supply and support
  • A broad equipment range for different waste volumes
  • Sector specific guidance
  • Training and servicing from one supplier
  • Support with free waste audits and machine recommendations

We don’t just supply machines; we support businesses throughout their waste management journey.

Quick Enquiry

Looking to purchase or hire this product? Enquire Now!

You can book in a meeting with our sales consultant team and find out more about phs Wastekit services and products. Just complete the form below, or call 0800 169 3534 today.