John Riddel and Sons is a hardware wholesaler with over 100 years of trading history behind it. Based on the outskirts of Lisburn, Northern Ireland, this long-established family business supplies hardware shops, builders merchants, and agricultural supply stores across Ireland. Despite its considerable heritage, the company recognised that its warehouse waste management operations needed a modern, efficient solution capable of keeping pace with the demands of a busy wholesale distribution facility.
The installation of the Gradeall G-eco 150 mid-sized baler marked a significant turning point for the business. By investing in purpose-built baling equipment, John Riddel and Sons was able to address a persistent operational challenge — the management of large volumes of plastic and cardboard packaging waste — while simultaneously improving conditions inside their warehouse and streamlining their relationship with local waste collection services.
Running a large-scale wholesale warehouse inevitably generates substantial quantities of packaging waste. For John Riddel and Sons, this challenge was particularly pronounced. Their facility processes a wide range of hardware supplies, receiving deliveries from numerous suppliers and dispatching orders to customers across Ireland. Each stage of this process contributes to an ongoing stream of packaging materials that must be managed responsibly and efficiently.
Before implementing a structured baling solution, loose accumulations of packaging waste created real operational difficulties. Space is a premium asset in any warehouse environment, and unmanaged waste occupies valuable floor area that could otherwise be used for productive storage or material handling. The volume of waste being generated made it difficult to maintain the clean, organised environment that efficient forklift operations require.
Understanding the specific types of waste being generated was essential to identifying the right solution. For John Riddel and Sons, two materials dominated the waste profile.
Plastic Packaging Dominance: Plastic cling film wrapping is used extensively on most items delivered to the warehouse. The sheer volume of plastic film generated on a daily basis means that plastic represents the primary waste stream for the business. Managing this material effectively requires equipment capable of compacting lightweight, bulky plastic waste packaging into dense, manageable bales.
Cardboard Packaging Volume: Significant quantities of cardboard waste are generated from supplier deliveries and customer order packaging throughout the wholesale operation. Corrugated cardboard from inbound shipments and transit packaging from outgoing orders both contribute to a continuous and considerable volume of material that requires processing. Gradeall’s guidance on cardboard and paper baling outlines how different cardboard grades can be handled effectively within the same machine.
Operational Impact: Without a structured waste management process, large accumulations of both plastic and cardboard packaging created storage challenges across the warehouse floor. The build-up of loose materials made it more difficult for forklifts to navigate safely and efficiently, reducing the overall productivity of the facility and adding unnecessary complexity to daily operations.
Addressing the waste management challenge at John Riddel and Sons required a solution that could handle both major packaging materials — plastic film and cardboard — using a single piece of equipment. The G-eco 150 baler from Gradeall International provided exactly that capability, offering reliable multi-material processing within a compact, straightforward machine suited to a busy warehouse environment.
The implementation of the G-eco 150 was accompanied by a more structured and systematic approach to waste collection and processing across the site. Rather than allowing waste to accumulate in an ad-hoc manner, the team at John Riddel and Sons established defined workflows for gathering and preparing materials before they were fed into the baler.
The effectiveness of any baling operation depends not just on the performance of the equipment itself, but on the collection and preparation processes that feed materials into it. At John Riddel and Sons, a clear and practical system was introduced to ensure consistent, high-quality output from the G-eco 150.
Cardboard Collection: Cardboard packaging is organised into collection boxes before processing through the baler. This systematic gathering of materials ensures an efficient flow of cardboard to the machine and contributes to consistent bale quality. By standardising how cardboard is collected and presented to the baler, the team was able to maximise throughput and minimise the time spent on waste processing.
Plastic Accumulation: Plastic cling film and wrapping materials are collected separately from cardboard waste. Given the lightweight and bulky nature of plastic film, substantial volumes are accumulated before each baling run. This approach ensures that the baler is used efficiently and that each completed bale reaches an optimal weight.
The G-eco 150 baler proved well-suited to the specific demands of the John Riddel and Sons operation. Its ability to process both plastic film and cardboard within the same machine gave the business the flexibility it needed to manage its two primary waste streams without investing in multiple separate units.
Performance across both material types was consistent and, as the team discovered, exceeded initial expectations.
Plastic film and cling wrap present a particular challenge for baling equipment due to their low density and tendency to resist compaction. Despite this, the G-eco 150 delivered strong results.
Bale Weight: Completed plastic wrapping bales consistently achieved a weight of 225 kg. This is a notable result for lightweight plastic materials and reflects the effective compaction force of the G-eco 150.
Material Density: The machine’s compaction mechanism was able to reduce bulky, loose plastic wrapping into dense, structurally sound bales that are easy to handle and store.
Quality Output: The finished plastic bales are suitable for direct collection and onward recycling, meeting the requirements of the local waste management company that collects from the site.
Cardboard is one of the most common waste materials processed in warehouse environments, and the G-eco 150 handles it with the same reliability it brings to plastic processing.
Consistent Output: Cardboard bales produced by the G-eco 150 also achieved a weight of 225 kg, matching the output achieved with plastic. This consistency is a strong indicator of the machine’s reliable compaction performance across different material types.
Dual-Material Efficiency: The ability to process both cardboard and plastic using the same piece of equipment represents a significant operational advantage. Rather than requiring separate machines or separate processing areas for each material, the G-eco 150 handles both within a single, compact footprint.
Reliable Performance: Across multiple baling cycles and different material types, the G-eco 150 delivered consistent results, demonstrating its suitability for the sustained demands of a working wholesale warehouse.
The practical benefits of the G-eco 150 installation at John Riddel and Sons extended well beyond the processing of individual bales. The introduction of structured baling operations brought about measurable improvements across the warehouse as a whole, from floor space utilisation to the ease with which waste is collected by external contractors.
The scale of the improvement — and the speed with which it became apparent — contributed directly to the high level of satisfaction reported by the team at Riddels.
The staff at John Riddel and Sons were pleased to find that the G-eco 150 performed better than expected. With an on-site calibrated weigh scale available to verify bale weights, both plastic and cardboard bales consistently achieved a healthy 225 kg — a result that surpassed the team’s initial projections for the machine’s output.
This level of performance is particularly significant for the plastic waste stream, where achieving high bale weights with lightweight material requires effective compaction technology. The fact that plastic bales matched the weight achieved with cardboard underscores the capability of the G-eco 150 across different material densities.
The feedback from the team at John Riddel and Sons clearly reflects the practical impact that the G-eco 150 has had on daily warehouse operations. Edmund Swarington, Procurement Manager, summarised the experience:
“The G-eco 150 is a very simple to operate baler which has made it much easier to organise our waste cardboard and plastic into neat bales that a local waste management company is able to collect from us. The inside of the warehouse has become much less cluttered making it easier for the forklifts to move about on site.” Edmund Swarington — Procurement Manager, John Riddel and Sons
“The G-eco 150 is a very simple to operate baler which has made it much easier to organise our waste cardboard and plastic into neat bales that a local waste management company is able to collect from us. The inside of the warehouse has become much less cluttered making it easier for the forklifts to move about on site.”
Edmund Swarington — Procurement Manager, John Riddel and Sons
This feedback highlights two of the most important practical outcomes of the installation: the ease with which staff can operate the equipment, and the tangible improvement in warehouse organisation and accessibility.
The installation of the G-eco 150 delivered a range of improvements that have collectively transformed the way waste is managed across the John Riddel and Sons facility.
Simplified Operation: The G-eco 150 is straightforward to operate, requiring minimal training for warehouse staff. This ease of use has made it practical for the team to integrate baling into their regular workflow without placing additional demands on time or resources.
Organised Waste Management: A systematic approach to cardboard and plastic processing has replaced the previous ad-hoc accumulation of loose materials. Defined collection and baling processes ensure that waste is handled in a predictable, manageable way.
Collection Efficiency: The neat, standardised bales produced by the G-eco 150 are readily collected by the local waste management company that services the site. Consistent bale dimensions and weights make collection straightforward and predictable.
Warehouse Organisation: The reduction in loose waste accumulation has made a noticeable difference to the working environment inside the warehouse. With clearer pathways and more available floor space, forklifts can move about the site with greater ease and safety.
Stackable Storage: Both cardboard and plastic bales can be stacked whilst awaiting collection, making efficient use of available space and allowing the team to build up a quantity of bales before arranging a pickup.
The success of the G-eco 150 installation has not only resolved an immediate operational challenge — it has also informed the long-term waste management strategy for the business. As John Riddel and Sons continues to grow, the team is planning to scale up its baling capacity to keep pace with increasing demand.
This forward-thinking approach to equipment investment reflects the confidence that the business has developed in Gradeall’s technology and in the value of structured waste management operations.
Increased Business Volume: The company has become busier in recent months, generating additional waste processing requirements as throughput across the warehouse increases. The growing volume of incoming deliveries and outgoing shipments means that the demand placed on waste management systems has risen accordingly.
Equipment Expansion: Plans are in place to invest in a larger GV500 vertical baler to work alongside the existing G-eco 150, creating a comprehensive dual-baler system. This expanded capacity will allow the business to process greater volumes of both plastic and cardboard waste without creating bottlenecks in the workflow.
Scalable Solution: The planned expansion demonstrates the adaptability of Gradeall equipment to the evolving needs of a growing business. The fact that the G-eco 150 and GV500 can operate alongside one another within the same facility gives John Riddel and Sons a flexible and scalable waste management infrastructure that can develop with the business.
The experience of John Riddel and Sons offers valuable insights for any wholesale or distribution business grappling with the challenge of packaging waste management. The principles that made this installation successful — systematic collection, reliable baling equipment, and a commitment to organised operations — are applicable across a wide range of warehouse environments.
The G-eco 150 has proven its effectiveness in a demanding, real-world setting, and the results achieved at John Riddel and Sons serve as a practical benchmark for similar operations.
The John Riddel and Sons installation demonstrates the effectiveness of the G-eco 150 across various warehouse and wholesale contexts. Similar benefits are available to a broad range of businesses that handle significant volumes of packaging waste.
Hardware Wholesalers: Managing packaging from diverse supplier deliveries, including plastic wrap, corrugated cardboard, and protective packaging materials.
Builders Merchants: Processing construction supply packaging, including heavy-duty wrapping and large-format cardboard.
Agricultural Suppliers: Handling farm supply and equipment packaging, which often includes a mix of plastic film and robust cardboard.
General Wholesalers: Managing mixed packaging waste from varied product lines, where the ability to process multiple material types with a single machine offers particular value.
One of the defining advantages of the G-eco 150 in a wholesale warehouse context is its ability to process different waste streams using the same equipment. This flexibility simplifies waste management operations and reduces the need for multiple machines or processing areas.
Plastic Film and Wrapping: Effective processing of lightweight plastic materials, including cling film, stretch wrap, and other flexible packaging, into dense, manageable bales.
Cardboard and Corrugated: Reliable processing of various cardboard types, from lightweight packaging board to heavy corrugated transit boxes.
Mixed Material Capability: The flexibility to switch between processing different materials as required gives warehouse operators the ability to manage their waste management schedule in a way that suits their workflow.
Consistent Output: Uniform bale weights are achieved regardless of material type, simplifying logistics planning and ensuring that collection arrangements can be standardised.
Gradeall International has developed a strong track record in supporting businesses across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The John Riddel and Sons installation in Lisburn is one example of a wider network of regional customers who have benefited from Gradeall’s expertise in waste management equipment.
Understanding the specific requirements and regulatory context of businesses in this region is central to Gradeall’s approach. Local knowledge, combined with technical expertise and a responsive service network, enables Gradeall to provide solutions that are genuinely tailored to the needs of businesses operating in the area.
Lisburn, situated close to Belfast in Northern Ireland, is home to a variety of industrial and commercial businesses. The region has a well-established manufacturing and distribution heritage, and businesses in the area operate within the environmental standards and waste management regulations applicable to the UK and Northern Ireland.
Local Industry Support: Gradeall’s understanding of the requirements of Lisburn area businesses, including the specific waste streams and operational constraints common to wholesale and distribution operations, enables the company to provide relevant, practical advice and equipment recommendations.
Northern Ireland Compliance: All Gradeall equipment is designed and supplied to meet the environmental and health and safety standards applicable in Northern Ireland and across the UK.
Regional Service Network: Gradeall maintains a professional service and support network covering Ireland and Northern Ireland, ensuring that customers such as John Riddel and Sons have access to timely maintenance and technical assistance.
Community Impact: By helping local businesses manage their waste more efficiently and responsibly, Gradeall contributes to broader environmental goals and supports the economic vitality of the communities in which its customers operate.
John Riddel and Sons is one of many wholesale and distribution businesses operating across Ireland that can benefit from structured baling solutions. The wholesale sector in Ireland encompasses a diverse range of operations, each generating its own profile of packaging waste.
Hardware and building supply wholesalers, agricultural supply distribution centres, general merchandise warehouses, and import and export distribution facilities all share the common challenge of managing significant volumes of packaging waste. The G-eco 150 and other Gradeall products offer practical, proven solutions for all of these contexts.
For businesses evaluating baling equipment, understanding the technical capabilities of the G-eco 150 is an important part of the decision-making process. The performance achieved at John Riddel and Sons provides a useful real-world reference point for what the machine is capable of delivering in a working warehouse environment.
The G-eco 150 is a mid-sized vertical baler designed for medium-volume operations. Its combination of reliable compaction performance, ease of operation, and compact footprint makes it a well-suited choice for wholesale and distribution environments where space, simplicity, and consistent output are all important.
Multi-Material Processing: Effective handling of both cardboard and plastic materials within the same machine, eliminating the need for separate baling equipment for each waste stream.
Consistent Output: 225 kg bales for both material types, as demonstrated at John Riddel and Sons. This consistent output simplifies logistics and supports efficient waste collection arrangements.
Simple Operation: User-friendly controls that require minimal training, enabling warehouse staff to operate the machine as part of their regular duties without specialist expertise.
Reliable Performance: Consistent results across varied material types and sustained operational use, exceeding customer expectations at John Riddel and Sons.
Compact Design: Suitable for installation within an existing warehouse without requiring significant structural modifications or dedicated processing space.
Easy Operation: The intuitive design of the G-eco 150 means that staff at John Riddel and Sons were able to integrate baling into their daily workflow quickly and without difficulty.
Maintenance Support: A Gradeall servicing and maintenance contract provides ongoing assurance of reliable performance from the baler, minimising the risk of unplanned downtime and ensuring that waste management operations remain consistent.
Weight Consistency: The calibrated performance of the G-eco 150 delivers bale weights that consistently meet or exceed expectations, as confirmed by the on-site weigh scale at John Riddel and Sons.
Collection Ready: Bales produced by the G-eco 150 are suitable for immediate pickup by waste management companies, streamlining the handover process and supporting a clean, well-organised site.
The business case for baling equipment such as the G-eco 150 is compelling from both an operational and an environmental perspective. At John Riddel and Sons, the installation has delivered clear improvements in warehouse efficiency whilst also supporting the company’s broader environmental responsibilities.
Effective waste management is increasingly recognised as an important aspect of responsible business practice. Organisations such as WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) provide extensive research and guidance on how businesses can reduce the environmental impact of packaging waste through improved material recovery — a goal that baling equipment directly supports by channelling materials into the recycling stream in an efficient, collection-ready format.
Space Utilisation: The elimination of loose waste accumulation has freed up valuable floor space within the warehouse, improving the overall efficiency of storage and material handling operations.
Forklift Access: Clearer pathways across the warehouse floor have enhanced the safety and efficiency of forklift operations, reducing the risk of incidents and improving the flow of materials through the facility.
Organised Storage: The systematic approach to waste management introduced alongside the G-eco 150 has contributed to a more organised and professional working environment across the site as a whole.
Collection Efficiency: Regular bale pickup by the local waste management company ensures that completed bales do not accumulate on site for extended periods, maintaining a clean and orderly facility.
Material Recovery: By converting loose plastic film and cardboard waste into neat, dense bales, John Riddel and Sons is able to channel these materials into the recycling stream efficiently and reliably.
Waste Reduction: The elimination of loose material accumulation reduces the risk of waste escaping from the site or requiring disposal by less environmentally responsible means.
Resource Conservation: Baling supports the circular economy by ensuring that recoverable materials are presented in a format that makes them easy to process and reuse, conserving the raw material resources that would otherwise be required to produce virgin materials.
Carbon Footprint: By consolidating waste into compact, high-density bales, the frequency and logistics of collection can be managed more efficiently, contributing to a reduction in the transportation-related carbon footprint associated with waste handling.
The John Riddel and Sons case study is one example of a broader portfolio of baling solutions offered by Gradeall International. From medium-volume machines suited to wholesale warehouses to high-capacity equipment for larger distribution operations, Gradeall provides a range of products capable of meeting the waste management needs of businesses across a wide variety of sectors and scales.
The experience of working with John Riddel and Sons also illustrates the importance of choosing equipment that can grow alongside the business. The planned addition of a GV500 baler to complement the existing G-eco 150 demonstrates how Gradeall’s product range supports scalable waste management infrastructure.
Gradeall offers a complete range of baler solutions suitable for warehouse and distribution applications, covering a spectrum of throughput requirements and operational contexts.
G-eco 150: A proven mid-sized vertical baler delivering reliable performance for medium-volume operations. Suited to wholesale warehouses, distribution centres, and light industrial facilities.
GV500: A higher-capacity vertical baler designed for growing businesses with greater waste processing requirements. The GV500 is the planned addition to the John Riddel and Sons facility, where it will work alongside the G-eco 150 to increase overall baling capacity.
Scalable Systems: The ability to operate multiple balers within the same facility — combining the G-eco 150 with the GV500, for example — allows businesses to build waste management capacity in line with operational growth.
Multi-Material Processing: Flexible solutions across the Gradeall range ensure that businesses dealing with diverse waste streams can find equipment suited to their specific material profile.
Selecting the right baling equipment is only one part of establishing an effective waste management system. Gradeall provides comprehensive support services to ensure that customers are able to get the most from their equipment throughout its operational life.
Site Assessment: Professional evaluation of warehouse requirements, including waste volumes, material types, available space, and workflow considerations, to identify the most appropriate equipment configuration.
Equipment Selection: Expert guidance on the optimal baler or combination of balers for a given set of operational requirements, drawing on Gradeall’s deep knowledge of the waste management equipment sector.
Installation Support: Complete setup and commissioning services to ensure that new equipment is integrated smoothly into existing warehouse operations with minimal disruption.
Operator Training: Comprehensive training for warehouse staff to ensure safe, efficient, and effective use of baling equipment from the outset.
Maintenance Contracts: Ongoing service agreements that provide scheduled maintenance and responsive technical support, ensuring sustained and reliable performance over the long term.
John Riddel and Sons selected Gradeall International as their waste management equipment partner, and the results speak to the quality of that decision. The G-eco 150 has delivered consistent, high-quality performance, exceeded expectations in terms of bale weight, and brought about measurable improvements in warehouse organisation and operational efficiency.
Gradeall’s combination of technical expertise, proven equipment, and attentive customer support makes it a well-qualified partner for wholesale and distribution businesses seeking to improve their waste management operations.
Industry Expertise: Gradeall brings a deep understanding of the specific waste management challenges faced by warehouse and distribution operations, enabling the company to provide relevant and practical solutions.
Scalable Solutions: Equipment and service offerings that adapt to the changing requirements of growing businesses, from initial installation through to long-term capacity expansion.
Regional Support: A professional service network covering Ireland and Northern Ireland ensures that customers in the region have access to timely and knowledgeable assistance.
Long-Term Partnership: Gradeall’s commitment to ongoing support means that the relationship with customers such as John Riddel and Sons extends well beyond the initial equipment installation.
The G-eco 150 installation at John Riddel and Sons has delivered a clear and measurable set of outcomes that reflect the practical value of investing in purpose-built baling equipment.
Cardboard and plastic bales can be stacked ready for collection, making efficient use of site space whilst ensuring that materials are always ready for prompt pickup. Staff find the G-eco 150 easy to operate, having integrated baling into their regular workflow without difficulty or the need for extensive training. The Gradeall servicing and maintenance contract ensures reliable performance from the baler, providing peace of mind and minimising the risk of unplanned disruption to waste management operations. Bale weight exceeded expectations, with both plastic and cardboard bales consistently achieving 225 kg as confirmed by the on-site calibrated weigh scale. Warehouse organisation has been significantly improved, with reduced clutter, clearer forklift access routes, and a more professional working environment across the facility.
For wholesale and distribution businesses looking to improve operational efficiency, support environmental responsibility, and bring order to their waste management operations, the experience of John Riddel and Sons offers a compelling and practical model. Contact Gradeall’s warehouse waste management specialists to discuss how baling solutions can improve your facility’s efficiency whilst supporting growth and environmental objectives.
"The G-eco 150 is a very simple to operate baler which has made it much easier to organise our waste cardboard and plastic into neat bales that a local waste management company is able to collect from us, the inside of the warehouse has become much less cluttered making it easier for the forklifts to move about on site."
Edmund Swarington - Procurement Manager
Our customer focused sales team have a combined 100+ years in the recycling industry and have a deep understanding of the Tyre Recycling Industry and waste baling/compacting industry to ensure our customers are getting the best advice and products to improve recycling processes at their business.
Get in touch to see how we can help you today
+44 (0)28 8774 0484
[email protected]
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