Recycling & Processing
Responsible recycling that keeps packaging out of landfills, creates value from used materials, and helps your business meet its sustainability goals.
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Our Environmental Impact
The measurable difference our recycling operations make every year.
Our Recycling Services
At PackMesa, recycling is a core part of our business — not an afterthought. We process thousands of tons of packaging materials annually at our Mesa, Arizona facility, diverting waste from landfills and turning it into valuable raw materials that re-enter the manufacturing supply chain.
Our facility handles corrugated cardboard, HDPE and polypropylene plastics, wood, metals, and film materials. We accept materials in any condition — from clean single-use items to heavily worn end-of-life packaging. Every material stream is processed according to environmental best practices and applicable state and federal regulations.
What sets our recycling program apart is the integration with our buy/sell and logistics services. When we pick up your materials, we evaluate each item for reuse potential first. Items that can be resold as used packaging generate higher value for you. Only materials that have truly reached end-of-life go through our recycling process. This reuse-first approach maximizes your return and minimizes environmental impact.
For businesses generating regular packaging waste, we offer waste audit services, custom recycling programs, scheduled pickups, and detailed reporting for sustainability compliance.
Corrugated Recycling
Cardboard boxes, gaylords, and corrugated materials sorted by grade, baled at our facility, and shipped to paper mills for pulping and remanufacturing into new products.
Plastic Recycling
HDPE, polypropylene, and other industrial plastics cleaned, granulated or shredded, and sold to remanufacturers for pelletizing into new plastic products.
Wood Processing
Broken pallets and wood packaging inspected for repair potential. Non-reusable wood is ground into mulch, animal bedding, or biomass fuel — nothing goes to waste.
Woven PP Recycling
Used bulk bags and woven polypropylene materials sorted, baled, and processed for pellet production, giving new life to these durable materials.
Metal Recovery
Steel cages from IBC totes, metal drums, banding, and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals separated, processed, and sold to metal recyclers.
Film & Wrap Recycling
Stretch film, shrink wrap, and poly sheeting collected, baled, and sent to specialized film recyclers for cleaning and re-pelletizing.
Materials We Accept
Detailed breakdown of every material type we process, how we handle it, and whether it generates revenue for you.
Corrugated Cardboard
Types Accepted
Gaylord boxes, shipping cartons, corrugated sheets, die-cut boxes, triple-wall
How We Process
Sorted by flute type and grade, baled at our facility, and shipped to regional paper mills for remanufacturing into new corrugated products.
Revenue Potential
Yes — market rate per ton
Important Notes
Must be dry and free of food contamination. Wax-coated corrugated accepted but priced separately.
HDPE Plastics
Types Accepted
IBC tote shells, plastic drums, plastic pallets, HDPE containers, buckets
How We Process
Cleaned, granulated or shredded, then sold to plastic remanufacturers for pelletizing. High-value material with strong recycling demand.
Revenue Potential
Yes — premium rates for clean HDPE
Important Notes
Must be free of hazardous chemical residue. Labels and minor contamination acceptable.
Polypropylene (PP)
Types Accepted
Bulk bags (FIBC), woven PP sacks, strapping, PP containers
How We Process
Sorted by color and condition, baled or shredded, then shipped to PP recyclers for pellet production and remanufacturing.
Revenue Potential
Yes — market rate per ton
Important Notes
Woven and non-woven accepted. Bags with liners should have liners removed when possible.
Wood
Types Accepted
Broken pallets, wood crating, dunnage, wood packaging, plywood
How We Process
Inspected for reuse potential first. Repairable pallets are rebuilt. Non-reusable wood is ground into mulch, animal bedding, or biomass fuel.
Revenue Potential
Minimal — primarily a disposal alternative
Important Notes
Heat-treated (HT) and fumigated wood accepted. Painted or chemically treated wood evaluated case by case.
Steel & Metal
Types Accepted
IBC tote cages, steel drums, metal banding, steel pallets, cage frames
How We Process
Separated by metal type, processed at our facility or transferred to metal recycling partners for smelting and remanufacturing.
Revenue Potential
Yes — competitive scrap metal rates
Important Notes
All ferrous and non-ferrous metals accepted. Cages separated from composite IBC totes during processing.
Stretch Film & Shrink Wrap
Types Accepted
Used pallet wrap, stretch film, shrink wrap, poly sheeting
How We Process
Collected, baled, and sold to film recyclers who clean and re-pelletize the material for new film production.
Revenue Potential
Yes — modest rates for clean film
Important Notes
Must be relatively clean and dry. Heavily contaminated film may incur processing fees.
Recycling Process by Material Type
See exactly how each material moves through our recycling pipeline from collection to remanufacturing.
Corrugated
- 1
Collection & pickup from your facility
- 2
Sorting by flute grade (single, double, triple wall)
- 3
Removal of tape, staples, and non-paper contaminants
- 4
Baling into 1,200-1,500 lb bales
- 5
Shipment to paper mills for pulping
- 6
New corrugated products manufactured
Plastics (HDPE/PP)
- 1
Collection & sorting by resin type
- 2
Cleaning & removal of labels/residue
- 3
Granulation or shredding to flake size
- 4
Quality inspection & contaminant removal
- 5
Baling or bagging for transport
- 6
Pelletizing at remanufacturing facility
Wood
- 1
Inspection for reuse potential
- 2
Repairable units rebuilt for resale
- 3
Non-reusable wood sorted & de-nailed
- 4
Grinding into chips or shreds
- 5
Screening to uniform particle size
- 6
Distribution as mulch, bedding, or biomass
Metals
- 1
Separation from composite materials
- 2
Sorting by metal type (ferrous/non-ferrous)
- 3
Cleaning & preparation
- 4
Compression or shearing to transport size
- 5
Transport to smelting facility
- 6
Remanufacturing into new metal products
Reuse vs. Recycle: Decision Guide
Not sure whether your packaging should be reused or recycled? Here is how we help you decide. We always prioritize reuse when possible — it is better for your bottom line and the environment.
| Factor | Reuse (Sell/Resell) | Recycle (Process) |
|---|---|---|
| Material Condition | Structurally sound, functional | Damaged, worn, or end-of-life |
| Economic Value | Higher — sold at used pricing | Lower — sold at commodity rates |
| Environmental Impact | Best — extends material life | Good — recovers raw materials |
| Processing Required | Minimal — inspection & grading | Significant — sorting, baling, processing |
| Turnaround Time | Immediate — inventory or sell | Days to weeks for processing |
| Best For | Gaylords, totes, pallets in good shape | Collapsed, broken, or contaminated items |
Generate Revenue from Your Recyclables
Many businesses do not realize that their packaging waste has real market value. Instead of paying for dumpster service or waste hauling, you could be getting paid for those same materials. PackMesa helps you capture that value by purchasing your recyclable packaging at competitive commodity rates.
The revenue potential depends on material type, cleanliness, volume, and current market conditions. Corrugated cardboard, clean HDPE plastics, and metals consistently command the highest prices. Even materials with lower per-unit value — like stretch film or woven PP — can generate meaningful revenue when collected in bulk.
Our waste audit service provides a detailed estimate of the potential revenue from your specific waste stream, along with recommendations for maximizing that revenue through better sorting, contamination reduction, and volume consolidation.
Rates are approximate and vary with market conditions. Contact us for current pricing on your specific materials.
Waste Audit Services
Not sure how much packaging waste your operation generates or what it is worth? Our free waste audit service evaluates your current waste stream and identifies every opportunity for recycling, reuse, and cost savings.
Schedule Assessment
Contact us to arrange an on-site visit. Our recycling specialists work around your schedule and operations to minimize disruption.
On-Site Evaluation
We walk your facility to identify all packaging waste streams — what materials are generated, in what volumes, how they are currently handled, and where they end up.
Waste Stream Analysis
We categorize your waste by material type, estimate volumes, and calculate current disposal costs. This gives us a complete picture of your packaging waste profile.
Opportunity Identification
We identify which materials can be recycled for revenue, which can be reused or sold, and which require different handling. Every opportunity for cost savings is documented.
Custom Program Design
Based on the audit findings, we design a recycling and reuse program specific to your operation — including pickup schedules, container placement, and projected savings.
Report & Recommendations
You receive a detailed written report with findings, recommendations, projected cost savings, and potential revenue from recyclables. Implementation is optional and at your pace.
Certifications & Compliance
Our recycling operations meet or exceed all applicable environmental and safety standards.
Arizona DEQ Compliance
Fully compliant with Arizona Department of Environmental Quality regulations for material processing and recycling operations.
EPA Guidelines Adherent
Our processes follow EPA best practices for industrial material recycling, waste minimization, and pollution prevention.
OSHA Safety Standards
Our facility and operations meet all OSHA requirements for worker safety, equipment operation, and material handling.
Responsible Recycling (R2)
We follow R2 principles for responsible recycling, ensuring materials are processed ethically and environmentally.
Our Sustainability Commitment
PackMesa was founded on the belief that industrial packaging does not belong in landfills. Every gaylord box, IBC tote, pallet, and bulk bag represents raw materials, energy, and water that were used in its manufacture. When we can extend the life of that packaging through reuse, or recover its materials through recycling, we reduce the demand for virgin resources and lower the environmental footprint of the businesses we serve.
Our commitment to sustainability is not just words — it is built into our business model. We prioritize reuse over recycling, recycling over disposal, and transparency in everything we do. We track and report environmental metrics for every account, and we continuously invest in improving our processing capabilities to handle more material types with greater efficiency.
Our goal is 100% landfill diversion across all operations. Today we are at 98%. We are working every day to close that final gap through better sorting technology, expanded material acceptance, and partnerships with specialized recyclers for hard-to-process materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our recycling and processing services.
What materials do you accept for recycling?
We accept corrugated cardboard (all types), HDPE plastics (totes, drums, pallets, containers), polypropylene (bulk bags, woven sacks, strapping), wood (pallets, crating, dunnage), steel and metal (cages, drums, banding), and stretch film/shrink wrap. If you have a material not listed, contact us — we can likely process it or connect you with a specialized recycler.
Will I get paid for my recyclable materials?
In many cases, yes. Corrugated cardboard, clean HDPE plastics, polypropylene, and metals all have market value that we pass on to you. Revenue depends on material type, cleanliness, volume, and current commodity markets. Our waste audit service can estimate the potential revenue from your specific waste stream. Some materials (heavily contaminated items, mixed waste) may incur processing fees rather than generate revenue.
How does your waste audit work?
Our waste audit is a free, no-obligation assessment of your packaging waste streams. A recycling specialist visits your facility, evaluates what materials are generated and how they are currently handled, and produces a detailed report with recommendations for recycling, reuse, and cost savings. The entire process typically takes 1-2 weeks from scheduling to final report delivery.
Do you provide recycling containers or bins?
Yes. For businesses on recurring recycling programs, we can provide gaylord boxes, roll-off containers, or other collection vessels at your facility. Container type and size depend on your waste volume and material types. Containers are provided as part of the service agreement at no additional cost for qualifying accounts.
How often can you pick up recyclable materials?
We offer flexible pickup schedules based on your volume and needs — weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or on-call. High-volume accounts can arrange multiple pickups per week. We also accept drop-offs at our Mesa facility during business hours for smaller quantities.
What happens to contaminated materials?
Light contamination (dirt, dust, minor residue) is handled through our standard processing. Materials with chemical contamination or hazardous residue are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We may require documentation of prior contents, additional cleaning, or refuse materials that pose environmental or safety risks. We never send hazardous materials to standard recycling streams.
Can you help us meet sustainability reporting requirements?
Absolutely. We provide detailed recycling reports for all accounts showing volumes processed by material type, landfill diversion rates, estimated environmental impact (CO2 avoided, water saved, trees saved), and revenue generated. These reports can be used directly in your corporate sustainability reporting, ESG disclosures, and environmental compliance documentation.
Is recycling really better than landfilling for industrial packaging?
Significantly so. Recycling industrial packaging recovers valuable raw materials, reduces the need for virgin resource extraction, conserves energy and water, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. For example, recycling one ton of corrugated cardboard saves approximately 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, and 4,000 kWh of electricity compared to producing new corrugated from virgin fiber. Beyond the environmental benefits, recycling often costs less than landfilling and can generate revenue.
Start Recycling Smarter Today
Whether you want to set up a recycling program, schedule a waste audit, or simply get a quote on recyclable materials, we are ready to help. Contact us today — there is no cost and no obligation.