Recycling and processing equipment finance for balers, shredders and screens
Processing plant earns money only when material flows through it at a quality buyers will accept. Downtime, contamination and price swings all matter as much as the purchase price.
More waste management, recycling and environmental services finance
Throughput, feedstock and offtake
The case for a new baler or shredder rests on how much material you process, its quality and what you can sell output for. Feedstock volumes depend on contracts and collection, contamination affects both throughput and saleability, and offtake prices for processed material move with markets outside your control.
Test repayments against a weaker scenario: lower volumes, higher contamination and lower prices. A plan that only works at current prices is fragile. Lenders will usually want to see how the plant fits your existing operation rather than the plant in isolation.
- Vertical and horizontal balers
- Pre-shredders and granulators
- Trommels and mobile screens
- Conveyors and picking stations
- Optical and magnetic separation
- Loading shovels and material handlers
Downtime and maintenance
Shredder blades, screen meshes and baler wear parts need regular replacement, and breakdowns can stop a line. Plan maintenance, spares and service support before you buy. These are usually separate from the finance agreement. Handling machines such as forklifts and loading shovels can be funded separately; see our forklift finance page.
Installation, civils and integrated lines
A fixed sorting line involves equipment from several suppliers plus installation, electrics, foundations, control software and commissioning. Lenders differ on which of these they will consider. Itemise each element: identifiable machinery, installation, software, training and building works. Some may need a separate loan or your own cash.
Mobile screens and shredders can be simpler to fund and can be moved between sites, but still need maintenance and suitable permissions where used.
Permits come first
In England, treating waste at a site generally requires an environmental permit or a registered exemption, depending on the activity. This is separate from waste carrier registration. Other UK nations have their own regulators. Confirm your site can lawfully run the process before committing to plant.
Before funding processing plant
Model a weak market
Use lower volumes and prices to check affordability rather than relying on current markets.
Separate machinery from works
Identifiable plant, installation, software and civil works may each be treated differently.
Consider used or refurbished
Refurbished balers and screens are common; condition and support availability matter.
Compare hiring for trials
Short-term hire of a mobile screen or shredder can test a process before committing.
Costs and risks to weigh
- Total repayable is higher than the cash price.
- Repossession and guarantee claims are possible if payments are missed.
- Early settlement may carry charges.
- Maintenance, wear parts and support are not necessarily included.
- Commodity prices and feedstock volumes are volatile; plant does not guarantee income.
- Installation and civils may not be fundable under the same agreement.
Sorbus Finance is a broker, not a lender, and works with a selected panel of lenders rather than the whole market. Any offer, cost, deposit, security or guarantee requirement depends on the lender's assessment and the agreement itself. Ask for a written breakdown of lender charges and any broker fee. VAT and tax treatment depend on your business circumstances and structure; take advice from your accountant.
Lender and document checklist
- Itemised quotes for plant, installation, software and works
- Throughput assumptions and feedstock sources
- Recent accounts and management figures
- Bank statements
- Environmental permit or exemption details for the site
- Existing finance commitments
Related finance services
Sources worth reading
Permit guidance shown applies to England. Sources are general guidance only.
Who you could speak to
- STEP 1
A conversation with a broker
You talk to a real Sorbus broker about the business, the purpose and what is affordable. No application at this stage.
- STEP 2
Credit placement
If you choose to go further, we prepare the case and decide which lenders on our panel of 150+ are worth approaching.
- STEP 3
Lender assessment
The lender, not Sorbus, underwrites and makes the credit decision. Approval is never guaranteed.
- STEP 4
Documentation
If a lender offers terms and you accept, we help coordinate agreements and payout paperwork with you.
Every step after the first is optional. You can stop after the conversation. Sorbus is a broker, not a lender.
Client journey
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hello@sorbusfinance.co.ukFrequently asked questions
Can I finance a baler?+
Balers are commonly considered for asset finance. Terms depend on the lender, the machine and your business.
Will a new shredder increase my income?+
Not necessarily. Income depends on feedstock, contamination, operation and offtake prices. Finance does not guarantee outcomes.
Can installation and civil works be included?+
Sometimes. Lenders treat installation, software and building works differently, so itemise them.
Does buying a screen mean I can process waste on site?+
No. Activities may need an environmental permit or exemption. Check before committing.
Can used processing plant be funded?+
Possibly, depending on age, condition and supplier. Appetite varies case by case.
Will finance improve my recycling rate or carbon footprint?+
Finance itself does not. Equipment may support processing, but results depend on many factors outside the agreement.
Planning new processing capacity?
Share your quotes and throughput assumptions. We will help you consider the funding options.