Start with a walk through the site
Follow packaging from goods inward through storage, use and despatch. At each point, record the material, its condition, the container used and who empties it. Photograph the waste itself as well as the area where it accumulates. A description such as 'plastic' is rarely enough to assess a recycling route.
Observe a representative working period, including a busy delivery or production day. Separate measured weights from estimates of loose volume. Note the measurement method so that later comparisons use the same basis. A quiet afternoon can give a very different picture from the day your main deliveries arrive.
Look for waste you can avoid first
Check whether incoming boxes can be reused internally, whether suppliers can offer returnable packaging, and whether avoidable damage is creating extra waste. Assign each opportunity to the person who can change it, such as purchasing or the warehouse supervisor.
The waste hierarchy places prevention and reuse ahead of recycling. A baler prepares suitable material for collection; it does not remove the need to reduce unnecessary packaging. GOV.UK explains business waste responsibilities and links to the relevant guidance for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Check the requirements for your site's location.
Agree what the collector will accept
Ask your collector to specify the material grades, preparation, contamination limits and bale format they accept. Confirm how collections are booked, the minimum practical collection quantity and the access needed by their vehicle. Keep these details with the plan rather than relying on an informal conversation.
Use that agreement to design separation at the point of disposal. Labels should describe the actual packaging staff handle, with examples of items that belong elsewhere. Keep cardboard and film as distinct streams unless both the equipment supplier and collector have approved a different arrangement.
Turn observations into a working record
A simple record is easier to maintain than a large report that nobody updates. Give every stream an owner and record the unresolved question that prevents a decision. The table below is a template to complete with your own site information.
| Record | What to capture |
|---|---|
| Material and origin | Packaging type, condition and the work area that produces it. |
| Quantity and timing | Measured weight or estimated loose volume, the method used and peak periods. |
| Internal handling | Containers, transfer route, handling time and the person responsible. |
| Collection arrangement | Accepted grade and bale format, booking process, access and storage requirements. |
| Next action | The question to resolve, the responsible person and a review date. |
Decide where a baler would fit
Trace the proposed journey in both directions: loose material entering the machine and finished bales leaving it. Include temporary storage, staff availability and collection access. Compressing material at one point may offer little practical benefit if the new location creates repeated transfers elsewhere.
Compare the current arrangement with a complete proposal, including purchase or rental, installation, labour, power, tying materials and service. Use an agreed collector quotation for any changes in charges or material value. Do not count a possible resale value as confirmed income.
Review the plan against real activity
After a change, compare similar operating periods. Record collections, handling time, material rejected by the collector and any occasions when waste obstructed the planned workflow. Relate the figures to activity, such as deliveries or units produced, so a quieter month is not mistaken for an improvement.
Review the plan when packaging, suppliers or production patterns change. Keep a named contact for collection issues and a route for staff to report unclear labels or unsuitable items. Those small corrections help the process keep working after the initial installation.
Common questions
Does a business recycling plan always need a baler?
No. Better separation, packaging reuse or a different collection arrangement may address the problem. Assess a baler when there is a suitable material stream and a practical case for changing how it is stored and handled.
What should I send NORKAM before discussing a machine?
Send photographs and descriptions of the material, recorded quantities and peak periods, your current collection arrangements, a site layout and details of the available power supply. Include the bale requirements agreed with your collector.