Define the material stream
Old corrugated containers (OCC) should be described plainly: loose flattened cartons, gaylord-sized boxes, corrugated sheets, or machine-tied bales. Keep plastic film, foam, strapping, and other paper grades separate unless the receiving recycler has approved them. Clean, consistent material is easier to inspect and route.
Measure what dispatch can use
Record the number of bales, approximate bale dimensions, or the floor area and height of a loose stack. Add photographs with a familiar scale. Do not convert a rough volume into a precise weight unless the material has been weighed; density changes with moisture, compression, and box construction.
Plan the vehicle path
Confirm gate codes, dock height, yard rules, check-in steps, trailer restrictions, and the on-site contact. Keep pedestrian and forklift routes separate during loading. The staging plan must also preserve emergency access and any site-specific safety requirements.
Keep the stack protected
Wet cardboard can lose value or be rejected. Store OCC under cover and away from leaks, washdown areas, and food waste. If a bale is damaged or a loose stack has been exposed, disclose that condition before the truck is assigned.
Match timing to operations
Schedule around receiving peaks, shift changes, and yard congestion. For repeating service, use actual generation records to set the interval. A pickup that arrives after cardboard blocks a dock is already late; one that comes half empty may cost more than a better-timed collection.
Use this checklist
- Name loose or baled material
- Count or measure consistently
- Separate film and strapping
- Confirm gate and dock details
- Protect OCC from moisture
- Schedule around receiving traffic
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Warehouse Cardboard Pickup
OCC pickup planning around dock access, staging space, and material condition.
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