Anyone Ever Get Involved in Waste Paper & Plastics?

Was doing some research last night and started seeing a lot of info on Waste Paper & Plastics.

I mean the stuff is definitely not paying .50 a pound, more like $100 a ton... but I was wondering if anyone here has ever ventured into that side of the business and had any success. Looks like it could be profitable with the right set up.

That's what I am seeing too. I have seen some prices for Waste Paper in the $20-$107 per ton range, but I don't know how accurate that is currently. I would imagine that the business is pretty simple to get into if you have the right connections with business owners, and offices with high volume.

Aside from a truck, and storage facility the overhead is non existent. IDK, I'll keep doing the research... but like my grandfather used to say "If it seems to good to be true..." I'm sure you guys know the rest.

Originally Posted by Jonniebrass

There is a company down the hill that buys paper and cardboard but nothing I have tried. 30 years ago people would take in newspapers and let them sit in rain . I believe they check loads for moisture content and pay accordingly nowadays.

Is that Sunoco that you are referring to?

Great response man... Very informative. This was something that I came across the other night while I was doing research and though "Hell, I can get my hands on more paper then I know what to do with!" I just wonder if the pain equals the profit.

I will continue doing my research, and I will definitely refer back to your post while doing so. Much appreciated Webuystuff!

Here in California paper recyclers do: Cardboard @ $130/ton, white paper @$195/ton, mixed paper $60/ton and books@ $30/ton. The only one worth picking up for free is cardboard and white paper. With cardboard I ask that it is broken down and trash free. If it is just cardboard then I ask for a 800lb minimum and if I am picking up other items (metal, ewaste, ect.) then I dont require a minimum for cardboard.

Not sure if you are looking to have a facility and buy paper or collect and sell to a facility. The good thing about cardboard is that businesses have a steady stream of it so you can get repeat business. It could be profitable if you just do cardboard and have a route to pickup from businesses. The draw back is that it takes a lot of cardboard to fill a trailer and at the end of the day it is just cardboard for recycle, unlike other items that can be resold for more than recycle (appliances, electronics, etc.). I look at cardboard and paper recycle as gas money and a way to off set dump fees.

We have buyers here for glass bottles, plastic bottles #1, #2 and they pay well. As for cardboard and paper not much at all. What you need to think about is that most cities have a buyer for paper and plastic through there recycling program. So its not like the old days when you could tie up your old papers and sell them, no way you could compeate with the cities volume that they get now!

Thanks everyone for your input. I have been looking deeply into this, and there is definitely some money to be made, however I don't know if this alone is going to be the way to go. I have 5,000 sq feet now for my warehouse, and I think it could be utilized better for scrap metals and E-Waste. At the end of the day I'm not sure the cash outlay for paper/plastics vs the payback is going to be worth it. Plus, if you look at the other posts I have it doesn't coincide to well with the other things I am looking at down the road.

We do have a citywide recycling program and I would have to find out if cutting in on the city is even allowed here. I would think it falls under free enterprise, but now we're getting into sanitation... that gets mighty fun here in NY/NJ/PA. I'll keep ya posted on the next move.

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

Might start buying nonferrous (alum-copper-brass) and ewaste only for the better return. If there's no yard around close maybe you could be a feeder yard for the nonferrous.

I got a guy for the metals in the area, he pretty much has a lock on everything. Just comes into my complex with 3 trucks and goes from business to business and picks up every couple of weeks. I was talking to him about E-Waste and he said there's no 1000lb gorilla handling that right now. I started a thread in the E-Waste section, I just wouldn't know where to start?!?! I understand metals, E-Waste... It's like me trying to teach Quantum Physics... Don't know a thing about it. From where to get the waste, to what constitutes waste, to what anything is worth... Confusing to say the least.

Anyone who says this is "easy money" apparently doesn't know what good money is, or sold their soul to the scrap devils!

I'm searching through everything right now... Looking and reading... reading and looking...

Gonna take some time to get this right but I will...

Slow an steady wins the race, so said the turtle to the rabbit.

The time spent reading the archives will pay off my friend. You'll be farther ahead then a lot of us were when we started.

It's a great forum. Great Staff, lots of priceless information/advice/tips, etc. An a lot of good, and knowledgeable members.

Good luck!

Sirscrapalot - Teacher of the tagline to the brits.