What Is OCC? A Recycler's Guide to Old Corrugated Containers
OCC — Old Corrugated Containers — is the official ISRI grade designation for what most people call "cardboard." It's the single most traded recycled commodity in the United States, and it's the primary material most retail, grocery, and distribution operations bale every day.
The Official ISRI Definition
According to the ISRI Scrap Specifications Circular, OCC must consist of:
Corrugated containers having liners of either test liner, jute, or kraft.
In practice, this means the classic "brown box" — the corrugated cardboard used in shipping containers, retail packaging, and moving boxes.
What Qualifies as OCC
- ▸Standard corrugated shipping boxes (any size)
- ▸Double-wall corrugated
- ▸Kraft-lined corrugated
- ▸Wet-strength corrugated (with some buyer exceptions)
What Does NOT Qualify
- ▸Wax-coated boxes — used in produce, meat, and seafood. These contaminate OCC loads and are rejected by most mills.
- ▸Plastic-laminated packaging — cereal boxes, juice cartons, chip bags. These are mixed paper or chip grades.
- ▸Non-corrugated kraft — paper grocery bags go in the kraft or mixed paper stream.
Why Bale Quality Matters
OCC is priced by the ton, and mills dock for contamination. A well-baled, clean OCC load from a vertical or horizontal baler commands full market price. Loose, contaminated, or improperly tied bales get rejected or discounted.
Tips for maximizing OCC bale value:
- ▸Remove wax boxes before baling — even small amounts contaminate the load
- ▸Keep moisture out; wet cardboard degrades quickly and loses weight
- ▸Use the correct wire for your baler to ensure tight, consistent bale density
- ▸Target 1,100–1,200 lb bales for most standard horizontal balers
Current Market Context
OCC prices fluctuate with pulp and paper mill demand, export markets (especially China and Southeast Asia), and seasonal volume. Working with a recycling partner who tracks commodity pricing helps you time your hauls and negotiate better rates.
Bandit and OCC
Most of the balers Bandit services are baling OCC. Whether you need a wire restock, a PM visit, or a baler upgrade to handle higher cardboard volume, we cover the full Southeast US.