Manufacturing Waste Management
Effective waste management is key in modern manufacturing. Better waste handling can streamline workflows, reduce costs and risks, and improve productivity.
Waste management solutions for manufacturers
Handling production waste efficiently can make a significant difference to both costs and productivity. Mil-tek balers and compactors are designed to help manufacturers manage recyclable materials directly within the production area, reducing clutter, improving workflow and making better use of available space.
✅ Unsure which baler fits your operation? → Get advice from a Mil-tek specialist
✅ Looking for equipment for cardboard, plastic, polystyrene and other materials? → Explore our balers and compactors
How packaging waste affects production efficiency
Materials such as cardboard, plastic film and EPS are widely used in manufacturing and can accumulate quickly on the production floor. If waste isn’t managed efficiently where it occurs, it can take up space, slow workflows and increase handling costs.
📌 Did you know?
The biggest cost of waste often comes from how it is handled inside the facility, not from the disposal itself.
Reducing waste in manufacturing
Lean manufacturing focuses on improving efficiency by removing unnecessary waste and improving workflow. In production environments, this also includes the physical waste generated during daily operations.
By integrating waste handling into the production process, manufacturers can reduce clutter, minimise unnecessary movement and keep work areas organised. Equipment such as balers and compactors placed close to where waste is produced can make waste handling faster and more efficient.
Ways to support waste reduction include:
- Carrying out regular waste audits
- Setting clear targets for waste reduction
- Assigning responsibility for waste management
- Training employees on efficient waste handling
- Installing equipment that helps minimise waste in key areas
Smarter waste solutions for manufacturing facilities
Request a free site survey to find the right setup for managing waste in your operation.
Or browse balers designed for typical manufacturing materials such as cardboard, plastic and other recyclables.
Managing cardboard waste in manufacturing
Large amounts of cardboard packaging are common in production environments and can quickly take up valuable floor space. Mil-tek balers – ranging from compact models like the A305 to high-capacity solutions such as the E819 – help compress cardboard efficiently, reduce clutter and keep work areas organised.
Explore our full range of cardboard balers
or see recommended solutions below:
A305 Vertical Baler
Usage:
Cardboard & Plastic
Power:
Pneumatic, 4 tonnes pressing force
Key Attributes:
- • Up to 175 kg bales
- • 90 % compaction
- • 0.85 m² footprint
- • Automated bale-out
A509 Vertical Baler
Usage:
Cardboard & Plastic
Power:
Pneumatic, 4 tonnes pressing force
Key Attributes:
- • Up to 300 kg bales
- • 90 % compaction
- • 1.5 m² footprint
- • Adjustable bale size
E819 Horizontal Baler
Usage:
Cardboard & Plastic
Power:
Electric, 25 tonnes pressing force
Key Attributes:
- • Up to 400 kg bales
- • 90 % compaction
- • 5 m² footprint
- • Continuous filling / automatic start
Handling plastic waste in manufacturing
Flexible plastics such as stretch film, wrapping materials and plastic bags are commonly generated in manufacturing environments. Mil-tek offers balers designed to manage these materials efficiently, helping reduce waste volume by up to 90% while keeping production areas organised.
Explore our full range of plastic balers
or see recommended solutions below:
A406 Vertical Baler
Usage:
Plastic & Cardboard
Power:
Pneumatic, 8 tonnes pressing force
Key Attributes:
- • Up to 225 kg bales
- • 90 % compaction
- • 1 m² footprint
- • Automated bale-out
E619 Vertical Baler
Usage:
Plastic & Cardboard
Power:
Electric, 25 tonnes pressing force
Key Attributes:
- • Up to 400 kg bales
- • 90 % compaction
- • Low height
- • No hydraulics
H600 Vertical Baler
Usage:
Plastic & Cardboard
Power:
Hydraulic, 60 tonnes pressing force
Key Attributes:
- • Up to 500 kg bales
- • 90 % compaction
- • Mill size bales
- • Automatic door operation / bale ejection
Managing polystyrene waste in manufacturing
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is commonly used to protect products during transport and storage. Mil-tek’s EPS1000 and the larger EPS2000 compactors compress bulky EPS into dense blocks, helping reduce storage space and lower waste disposal costs.
Explore our polystyrene compactors
or view recommended solutions below:
EPS1000 Compactor
Usage:
Polystyrene
Power:
Electric, 3 × 400 V, 1.8 kW
Key Attributes:
- • Volume reduction 40:1
- • Makes dense blocks of up to 300 kg
- • Compacts up to 15 kg./hour
- • Sell blocks to recyclers
EPS2000 Compactor
Usage:
Polystyrene
Power:
Electric, 3 × 400 V, 1.8 kW
Key Attributes:
- • Volume reduction 40:1
- • Makes dense blocks of up to 300 kg
- • Compacts up to 70 kg./hour
- • Sell blocks to recyclers
Waste handling in food production
Food manufacturing requires waste solutions that meet strict hygiene standards. Mil-tek’s stainless steel, oil-free balers compress cardboard and plastic efficiently while maintaining a clean and safe production environment.
View industry recommendations below:
2205S Baler
Usage:
Cardboard & Plastic
Power:
Pneumatic, 2 tonnes pressing force
Key Attributes:
- • Up to 120 kg bales
- • 90 % compaction
- • Stainless steel & no hydraulics
- • Small footprint
2306S Baler
Usage:
Cardboard & Plastic
Power:
Pneumatic, 8 tonnes pressing force
Key Attributes:
- • Up to 250 kg bales
- • 90 % compaction
- • Stainless steel & no hydraulics
- • Automated bale-out
Loose production waste quickly takes up space and requires constant handling. Compressing it into dense bales makes materials easier to store, transport and recycle while reducing overall waste management costs.
Improve waste handling
in your facility!
Schedule a free site review and
discover more efficient waste solutions.
Extend Lean principles to waste handling
Lean practices are common on the production floor, but waste management is often overlooked. By compacting waste where it is generated and integrating balers into daily operations, manufacturers can improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary handling.
Benefits include:
- Less unnecessary movement and double-handling
- Cleaner production areas with fewer open doors
- Faster waste disposal and better use of staff time
- Higher productivity and smoother operations
- Reduced forklift traffic and safer material handling
Speak with a waste solutions expert 📞
Complete the form and we’ll contact you to discuss the best setup for your facility.