OCC Cardboard Bales: Corrugated Recycling Market

Grade Comparison

Grade	Summary	Price Context	Lifespan
Occ	OCC (Old Corrugated Containers) bales are compressed cardboard boxes for recycling.	OCC prices fluctuate significantly with market conditions, typically $50-150 per ton.	Varies
Mixed	Mixed paper bales contain various paper grades for recycling into lower-grade products.	Mixed paper typically trades at $30-80 per ton, significantly below OCC.	Varies
Sorted	Sorted office paper bales contain high-grade white paper for premium recycling.	Sorted office paper trades at $100-200+ per ton, premium above other grades.	Varies

Occ

Description

OCC (Old Corrugated Containers) is the recycling industry term for used corrugated cardboard boxes. OCC bales are compressed bundles of this material, ready for transport to paper mills where it's recycled into new paper products. OCC is the highest-grade recovered paper product from the brown cardboard stream. It comes from shipping boxes, corrugated packaging, and similar materials. Mills prefer OCC for its long fibers that strengthen recycled paper. Baling compresses loose cardboard into dense, manageable bundles for efficient transport. Standard bale sizes and weights facilitate handling and pricing. Quality standards specify contamination limits - too much tape, moisture, or foreign material reduces value. For cardboard generators (retailers, warehouses, manufacturers), understanding the OCC market helps optimize recycling revenue. Clean, dry, well-baled OCC commands best prices. Contaminated or wet material may be rejected or penalized.

What to Look For

Contamination level (tape, moisture, foreign materials)

Bale compression and integrity

Moisture damage or mold

Mix of materials (some bales include prohibited items)

Bale weight and dimensions

Buying Tips

Primarily for paper mills and recycling intermediaries

Pricing fluctuates with recovered paper markets

Clean bales command premium prices

Build relationships with reliable generators

Consider logistics costs vs. material value

Pricing Context

OCC prices fluctuate significantly with market conditions, typically $50-150 per ton.

Ideal For

Paper mill feedstock

Recycling broker inventory

Companies selling cardboard waste

Mixed

Description

Mixed paper bales contain various types of paper that don't qualify as single-grade materials. This includes magazines, catalogs, junk mail, paperboard, and other paper products mixed together. Mixed paper commands lower prices than sorted grades but is easier to generate. For recycling programs, mixed paper is often the practical choice. Sorting paper into specific grades requires labor and expertise. Accepting all paper types (except prohibited items like waxed paper) into one stream simplifies collection and reduces processing costs. Mills processing mixed paper produce lower-grade products - paperboard, tissue, and recycled content paper. The mixed fiber content limits end-product quality, hence the lower pricing compared to sorted grades. Contamination standards for mixed paper are more lenient than OCC, but limits still apply. Excessive moisture, food contamination, or prohibited materials can result in rejected loads or pricing penalties.

What to Look For

Contamination levels within acceptable limits

No prohibited materials (waxed paper, food-soiled items)

Moisture damage or mold

Bale integrity and compression

Mix of paper types

Buying Tips

For recyclers and mills accepting mixed grades

Lower pricing but easier to source

Quality standards vary by buyer

Consider transportation costs vs. value

Local markets affect pricing significantly

Pricing Context

Mixed paper typically trades at $30-80 per ton, significantly below OCC.

Ideal For

Mills producing recycled paperboard

Tissue manufacturers

Companies with unsorted paper waste

Sorted

Description

Sorted office paper (SOP) is a premium recovered paper grade consisting of white office paper, printer paper, and similar high-quality materials. This grade commands the highest prices in the recovered paper market due to its clean fibers and bright color. SOP comes primarily from office environments with paper-heavy workflows. Print shops, copy centers, and administrative offices generate significant volumes. The material must be sorted to exclude colored paper, glossy items, and other non-qualifying materials. Mills use SOP to produce high-quality recycled paper including office paper, tissue, and printing papers. The clean, bright fibers enable production of white paper without excessive bleaching. For generators, SOP recycling requires more effort than mixed paper but rewards the effort with higher revenue. Proper sorting, clean storage, and reliable baling maximize returns on this premium grade.

What to Look For

White paper content (should be 90%+ white)

Contamination (colored paper, glossy, cardboard)

Moisture damage

Bale quality and integrity

No prohibited items

Buying Tips

Premium grade commands premium prices

Strict quality standards - inspect carefully

Build relationships with reliable generators

Office building cleaning contracts are good sources

Market prices fluctuate with recovered paper demand

Pricing Context

Sorted office paper trades at $100-200+ per ton, premium above other grades.

Ideal For

Premium paper mills

Tissue manufacturers

Recycled office paper production

Cardboard Bales Grading Guide

Grade Comparison

Occ

Description

What to Look For

Buying Tips

Pricing Context

Ideal For

Mixed

Description

What to Look For

Buying Tips

Pricing Context

Ideal For

Sorted

Description

What to Look For

Buying Tips

Pricing Context

Ideal For

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