Sell OCC (Cardboard) in California

BlackBridge Recycling buys old corrugated containers (OCC) from California generators across SoCal, the Central Valley, and the Bay Area. Distribution centers, retail chains, manufacturers, and printers all welcome. Strong export placement through LA/LGB. Call 800-449-5084.

Sell OCC (Cardboard) in California

BlackBridge Recycling buys old corrugated containers (OCC) from California generators across SoCal, the Central Valley, and the Bay Area. Distribution centers, retail chains, manufacturers, and printers all welcome. Strong export placement through LA/LGB. Call 800-449-5084.

California is the largest OCC export origination market in the country

California’s OCC economics are dominated by the Ports of LA and Long Beach. The combined port complex is the largest U.S. container gateway, and OCC is one of the highest-volume export commodities flowing back to Asia in containers that arrived full of finished goods. That export pull keeps SoCal OCC pricing competitive even when domestic mill demand softens.

California OCC origination is dense across SoCal (Inland Empire DC and 3PL concentration, port-related warehousing, packaging-heavy converters), the Bay Area (tech HQ campuses, San Francisco retail and food/bev), and the Central Valley (ag packaging, food processing, distribution). California’s recycling regulation leadership (CalRecycle disposal targets, AB 1383 organics rules pushing fiber to recycle) keeps OCC supply consistent.

OCC grades we buy in California

• #11 OCC (mill-grade) — clean, baled, ≤5% prohibitive
• #12 Double-Sorted OCC (DSOCC) — premium, ≤2% prohibitive
• Loose OCC — DC-floor pickup, baled in-house or transferred
• Mixed paper / OCC blends
• Coated / wax-treated cardboard — quoted, limited markets

Mill-size bales (≥1,000 lbs) preferred. Container-loadable bales for export.

Why California suppliers choose BlackBridge

• LA/LGB port leverage — direct booking with NVOCC partners
• Inland Empire DC fluency — we know the warehouse and 3PL operations
• Domestic placement option — Western containerboard mills as backup
• Multi-material consolidation — OCC plus your PET, HDPE, film
• Net-15 to Net-30 terms for vetted accounts

California OCC pricing context

CA OCC pricing tracks the Pulp & Paper Week / RISI West Coast OCC index and is heavily export-driven. #11 OCC has historically traded $50–$200+/ton depending on cycle, with West Coast pricing typically holding a premium during strong export windows. #12 DSOCC pulls a $20–$40/ton premium. Inland Empire pickups typically net higher than rural NorCal because of port proximity. Pricing moves weekly with export cycles — call 800-449-5084.

FAQ — Selling OCC in California

Q: How does port congestion affect my OCC pickup and shipment timing?
A: LA/LGB congestion (notably Q3/Q4 peak season) tightens chassis availability and vessel cutoffs. We pre-book chassis and align pickups with cutoff schedules. Domestic mill placement is always the backup if a container window slips.

Q: Do you handle big-box and grocery DC OCC programs?
A: Yes. Major retail and grocery DC operations across SoCal and the Central Valley are a core part of our California book. We coordinate trailer-swap and live-load on dock schedules and provide consolidated reporting for multi-site retail accounts.

Q: How does CalRecycle reporting affect my generator obligations?
A: California generators subject to AB 341 (commercial recycling) and AB 1826 (organics) need to demonstrate recycling participation. We provide weight tickets, end-market disclosure, and recycling certificates that satisfy CalRecycle reporting and jurisdiction audits.

Q: Are export OCC contracts available for predictable pricing?
A: Yes. For high-volume California generators, we offer index-tied contracts referencing PPW West Coast OCC plus a negotiated spread. This smooths month-to-month volatility and locks in your net-back relative to the index.

How to sell OCC to BlackBridge — 4 steps

1. Send a spec — grade, monthly volume, photos, bale or loose
2. Get a quote — same-day to one business day
3. Schedule pickup — SoCal, Bay Area, Central Valley
4. Get paid — Net-15 to Net-30 from weight ticket

Related reading

• sell-occ — full OCC program
• occ-grade-spec-guide
• contact — talk to a BlackBridge buyer

Ready to sell OCC in California?

Call 800-449-5084 or email sales@blackbridgerecycling.com. BlackBridge Recycling — buying OCC from California generators since 2011.

Get a quote on your OCC

or call 800-449-5084