Buy Used Cardboard Bales in Georgia

Turn Your Cardboard Waste Into Cash in Georgia

What you'll get from this guide: Learn how to sell your used cardboard bales for $50-$90 per ton, get free pickup service, and turn waste into revenue for your Georgia business.

Why Sell Your Cardboard Bales?

You can make money from cardboard you're already throwing away. Here's what you get:

• Cash payment: $0.025-$0.045 per pound for clean cardboard bales
• Free pickup: Most companies pick up bulk amounts at no charge
• Lower waste costs: Reduce what goes to landfills and save on trash hauling
• Help the environment: Recycled cardboard saves trees and reduces pollution

How Much Money Can You Make?

Georgia businesses typically earn:

• $50-$90 per ton of baled cardboard
• Around $100 per standard bale (31×47×43 inches)
• Higher rates in cities like Atlanta compared to rural areas

Your exact price depends on:

• How clean your cardboard is (no plastic or metal mixed in)
• How much you have each month
• Where you're located in Georgia

Finding Buyers in Georgia

Look for these types of companies:

• Local recycling centers
• Cardboard processing facilities
• Waste management companies that buy materials
• RePackify network partners

Example: A small restaurant in Atlanta might generate 5-10 bales per month, earning $500-$1,000 monthly from cardboard sales.

Getting Started: Step by Step

Step 1: Figure Out Your Volume

• Track how much cardboard you throw away for one week
• Most businesses are surprised by how much they have
• Even small shops often generate 2-4 bales monthly

Step 2: Get Your Cardboard Ready

• Clean cardboard only: Remove tape, staples, and plastic
• Keep it dry: Wet cardboard is worth less
• No contamination: Don't mix in other materials

Step 3: Find a Baler

You have options:

• Rent a baler: $200-$500 per month
• Buy used equipment: $3,000-$8,000
• Partner with a recycler: Some provide balers as part of service

Step 4: Contact Buyers

• Call at least 3 companies for quotes
• Ask about pickup schedules
• Compare per-pound rates
• Check if they provide free pickup

Step 5: Set Up Regular Service

• Small businesses: Monthly or bi-monthly pickup
• Medium businesses: Weekly pickup with better rates
• Large businesses: Custom schedules and premium pricing

What to Expect During Pickup

The process is simple:

Weighing: Truck scales weigh your bales

Quality check: Driver inspects for contamination

Payment: You get paid within 1-2 weeks by check or direct deposit

Documentation: Receive weight tickets for your records

Common Questions

Do I need to remove tape?

No, processing facilities handle tape removal.

What size should bales be?

Standard size is 31×47×43 inches, but buyers accept various sizes.

How often will they pick up?

Depends on your volume. Weekly pickup needs at least 10-15 bales.

What if my cardboard gets wet?

Wet cardboard pays less or may be rejected. Store in dry areas.

Making More Money

Increase your volume:

• Talk to neighboring businesses about combining loads
• Collect cardboard from multiple locations you own
• Time pickups when you have the most material

Improve quality:

• Train employees to separate cardboard properly
• Keep storage areas clean and dry
• Remove contamination before baling

Example: A Georgia furniture store increased monthly earnings from $200 to $800 by collecting cardboard from three locations and negotiating volume pricing.

Red Flags to Avoid

• Companies that charge pickup fees for reasonable volumes
• Buyers who won't provide current pricing over the phone
• Services that require long-term contracts for small businesses
• Anyone asking for upfront payments or equipment deposits

Getting the Best Deal

• Get quotes from multiple buyers - prices vary significantly
• Ask about volume discounts if you generate consistent amounts
• Negotiate pickup frequency to match your needs
• Review contracts carefully before signing

Your cardboard waste is valuable. With proper handling and the right buyer, it becomes a steady revenue stream that helps your business and the environment.

Next step: Calculate your monthly cardboard volume and contact local buyers for current pricing in your area.