It happens that waste reduction devices are called incorrectly or interchangeably. Equipment such as a compactor and a baler are not at all the same thing. Only their effect and purpose are similar. Both devices are designed to compress waste in order to simplify its storage and transportation.
What are the main differences? What are these devices used for, and in what cases should they be chosen?
Differences between a baler and a compactor
A baler is a device that looks and functions differently in different industries. For example, in the agricultural industry, this is the name for devices that are attached to a tractor, collect hay and straw from the field, and press them into large bales.
We will tell you about the baler specifically in the field of waste processing. In this field, a baler is a device that, thanks to a hydraulic mechanism, compresses waste into bales to facilitate their storage and transportation.
It has a chamber into which waste (waste paper, plastic, foil, etc.) is stored, after which the chamber is closed to ensure the safety of the operator. Then the operator presses a button and the pressing plate lowers and compresses the materials. After compression, the materials are removed from the chamber in the form of a compressed bale. Such bales take up much less space than uncompressed material and are easier to transport.
The material is then delivered in bales or rolls directly to the processing company. Balers require tying (with ropes, tape, wire) the compressed material into a bale or roll.
A compactor is a device that is also used in various industries. Its task is also to reduce the physical volume of waste through compaction.
But compactors are not only hydraulic, but also auger. In screw compactors, pressing is carried out thanks to a screw mechanism. Materials are dropped into a receiving hopper, after which a large auger breaks and compresses them, either into individual blocks or into an external waste container.
The baler and compactor operate on the principle of pressing. But a baler compacts waste in a special chamber, and a compactor compacts waste in an external container.
Balers are not typically used to compact household waste, but compactors are. Balers and compactors also differ in their pressing force. Balers have a range of baling forces from 3 to 50 tons and are more versatile devices. Compactors have a pressing force of 3 to 5 tons and are often designed for one specific type of material, for example, foam or wood.
When should you choose a baler and when should you choose a compactor?
Compactor
If we manage a supermarket, apartment building or industrial facility where containers are mainly used for storing waste, then a compactor is the best solution. Such compactors can be mobile or stationary. It depends on their design.
For stationary compactors, a module with a screw or hydraulic mechanism stands motionless at the waste collection site, and the container is attached to it. When the container is full, a car comes and takes it away. An empty container is then attached to the compactor for further collection and compaction. Then the procedure is repeated.
For mobile compactors, a module with a screw or hydraulic mechanism is inseparably integrated with the container. After filling the container, a car arrives and takes away the entire device, and puts the same one in its place.
Compactors are best suited for:
- foam plastic
- wood
- cardboard
- municipal solid waste (MSW)
- plastic bottles
- plastic products
- aluminum cans
Baler
If you have large volumes of sorted waste (for example, waste paper) and you need to bale it, you should consider purchasing a baler. The smallest one, with a pressure force of 3 tons, will be useful if 1-3 tons of waste are generated monthly. It will produce 2 cubes weighing 50 kg per day.
Such bales can be easily moved in small areas; this does not require much effort – all you need is a simple trolley. With more waste and a larger baler, there needs to be more space so that the bales can be easily transported on pallets. Transport on pallets requires a pallet truck or a forklift.
The more waste our business generates, the more productive a baler will be needed – with more baling force and larger bales produced. For example, discount stores or chain stores with an area of 400-500 m2 can produce 4-8 cubic meters of packaging foil or paper weighing 250 kg per day.
Balers are best suited for:
- cardboard
- paper
- foil
- plastic bottles
- foam plastic
- aluminum cans
We hope that this information was useful to you and now you can better understand the difference between these types of equipment and make your choice. If you still have questions and need our advice, contact us. We will be happy to advise you!