What is the Correct Spelling Baling Wire or Bailing Wire?

The correct spelling is baling wire, although if you search for bailing wire online, you'll get near enough the same results. This is because the two spellings have become somewhat (incorrectly) interchangeable, and many companies still refer to it as bailing wire. Baling and bailing are known as homophones, two words that have separate meanings, yet they sound exactly the same. Bear in mind, however, that currently, Google will suggest the correction of baling wire if you search instead for bailing wire. There is also no difference in the product that the words are describing, so one type of wire will not differ in function from another simply because of the name. The term bailing usually refers to either the releasing of a prisoner on bail, bailing out a bank or an institution (providing it with money to keep it afloat), or to leaving an area (informally). Baling, on the other hand, often refers to the bundling of goods, the primary function of what baling wire is used for. As a noun, a bale describes a tightly packed bundle of materials like hay, cardboard, or scrap metal. To find out more, you can check out this blog post on bailing wire vs baling wire.

Do You Have a Wire Gauge Chart to Choose the Correct Size?

Gauge refers to the thickness of a wire. Gauges operate on an inverse scale, which means the smaller the gauge number, the larger the circumference of the wire. Typically, baling wire starts at around 9 gauge, and can go all the way up to the incredibly thin 35-gauge variety. Choosing the right type of baling wire can be tough if you don’t know what to look for, yet it’s essential if you want to ensure maximum quality and functionality. You can find a reliable wire gauge chart by clicking here. You can find a wide range of different gauge baling wire online, but if you’re not sure which one will work best, don’t hesitate to contact the manufacturer of your baling machine; they should be able to give you advice on which size go for. For paper, it’s worth going for a lighter gauge, like a 14, but for tougher materials like plastics, you’ll probably need to go as low as 12. It’s worth noting that the properties of the wire can differ based on whether they’re galvanized or annealed, even if they’re the same gauge. Remember that it’s crucial to check your baler’s specifications before you start using the wire, as it may have limitations as to what gauge you can use.

Which Wire is Best for Cardboard Baling?

Generally, you'll want to use either an 11, 12, or 13 gauge wire for baling cardboard. The 11 gauge wire is the thickest and, therefore, more suited to packing denser bales. It is important to consider your baler, however, as this will likely determine the type of wire that you'll need. This can differ between make and model, and there will likely be a users manual that will have the right info. If not, you could always call up the manufacturer and ask them directly. You wouldn't want to risk damaging your baler by using the wrong materials with it. For example, a smaller vertical baler that generates smaller bales may need a smaller gauge, like a 14. In contrast, a horizontal baler that operates at a larger scale may require an 11, even though you're baling the same material. Cardboard baling wire is usually very tough, no matter the gauge, so the main point to concern yourself with is whether or not your chosen type of wire is compatible with the machine you're using. It's worth noting that this can vary extensively, so make sure you find the right wire for your specific machine and the type of material you hope to bale.

What is baling wire used for?

Baling wire is used to secure waste and scrap materials into neatly manageable bundles, making them easier to transport. It's perfect for aiding waste management in the recycling industry, and cutting down on wastage in general, no matter the area of work that you're in. Baling wire can come in many different forms, for example, galvanized baling wire is exceptionally strong and durable, and it's able to withstand the harsh conditions of the recycling process with ease. Galvanized baling wire is strong enough to survive being submerged into a molten liquid for some time, making it suitable for the galvanization of other types of metal. Black annealed baling wire is developed using the annealing process, a cycle of carefully measured heating and cooling, which is what gives it the increased level of ductility and elongation. Baling wire can be threaded through a baling machine to secure the scrap or waste material, or it can be tied by hand, as it's incredibly ductile, making it an extremely versatile material and an essential one in the recycling and agriculture industries. Baling wire has long been regarded as a fix-all type of material, so it's always handy to have some around the workspace.

Why is it called baling wire?

It's called baling wire because it refers to the job it's used for, securing bales of scrap material like hay and cardboard. The word bale might have its roots in the old Germanic language, relating to ball. Bales are the bundles of material compressed in a baling machine, and the wire is what binds this material together, holding it in place for easier maneuverability. Baling wire has been used extensively since the 1800s (this is likely when the term began gaining widespread popularity), but it's come a long way since then in both form and function. From humble origins, baling wire has become a critical material in the recycling and agricultural industries, largely due to the phenomenal rise of modern machinery like advanced baling machines and tractors.The words baling wire are often interchanged (incorrectly) with bailing wire, yet searching for either term on Google will likely still send you to the right place. By galvanizing either stainless steel or iron wire, manufacturers can make baling wire tougher than ever before. This process involves submerging the wire in a molten metal coating (usually zinc) in order to make it more durable and corrosion resistant. Baling wire can also be developed using the annealing process, which is when the wire is exposed to a cycle of heating and cooling over time.

What kind of wire is baling wire?

Baling wire is ultra-strong, highly durable, galvanized steel or iron wire. The galvanization process refers to the act of hot dipping (submerging) stainless steel or iron wire in a bath of molten zinc.The resulting metallurgical reaction causes the zinc to bond with the steel, creating a protective coating, enabling it to withstand erosion with ease. This process enables the baling wire to become exceptionally resilient and able to resist even the harshest weather and wear and tear for extensive periods of time. You can also find baling wire in the form of black annealed wire, an incredibly sturdy and versatile material that's created using a meticulous cycle of heating and cooling, causing it to increase in ductility for maximum ease of use. You can find out more about the properties of this wire here. Due to its many unique properties, including its ability to stand up to harsh conditions, baling wire is essential in the recycling and agricultural industries, and it's generally found in any type of baling application, include office recycling. Its main purpose is to secure bales (compact bundles of waste and scrap material) and hold them in place, making them easier to store, handle and transport, greatly aiding the waste management process.

Baling OCC guide

According to the American Forest and Paper Association, 93.6% of OCC (old corrugated containers), or cardboard, was recycled in 2022, making cardboard one of the most successfully recycled materials.

Cardboard balers compress sorted cardboard into dense bales for transportation and storage. The cardboard recycling industry bales materials to reduce transportation costs and storage space requirements. The cardboard baling process follows these steps:

Sorted cardboard feeds into the baler’s hopper.
Once the baler chamber is full, the baler compresses the cardboard to the desired density and weight.
Operators use bale ties, or auto-tie balers secure the bales with baling wire.
Finished bales are ejected from the baler and sent to recycling centers for processing.

Balers help remove cardboard and other recyclables from the waste stream, promoting sustainability and the circular economy.

What is the cardboard recycling process?

Besides baling, cardboard undergoes the following recycling process:

Collection: cardboard is collected from curbside bins, businesses, and other sources.
Sorting: cardboard is sorted into different types. Corrugated cardboard is separated from boxboard (thinner material) and any coated or waxed cardboard is set aside for specialized recycling.
Baling: depending on the operation, sorted cardboard is baled and sent to other processing facilities or storage sites.
Shredding and pulping: sorted cardboard is shredded into small pieces. It is then mixed with water and chemicals to break down the fibers, creating a slurry known as pulp. This pulp is sometimes blended with virgin fibers to enhance strength.
Filtering and cleaning: the pulp is filtered to remove tape, glue, staples, ink, and other contaminants.
Drying and finishing: cleaned pulp is dried and formed into sheets of paper.
Converting into new products: finished sheets are used to manufacture new cardboard materials, which are ready for redistribution.

Cardboard can undergo recycling 5–8 times before the fibers become too short for further use.

Best baling wire for cardboard

We carry several wire options for baling cardboard boxes and other OCC products. The best type of wire and wire gauge for baling cardboard depends on whether you have a vertical or horizontal baler and whether it is automatic or manual tie. Storage conditions and duration also affect wire choice. Here are some of the best options:

Galvanized wire is less commonly used for baling cardboard. But if your bales require long-term storage, galvanization offers increased resistance to rust and corrosion to keep bales safe and secure.
Black annealed wire feeds smoothly through the high-volume automatic baling machines commonly used in cardboard recycling. Annealing improves wire’s ductility for baling expansive cardboard.
Single loop bale ties can be tied to different lengths to accommodate inconsistent bale sizes. They work with manual horizontal and vertical balers. We offer both black annealed and galvanized single loop bale ties.
Double loop bale ties are pre-cut to length and feature a loop (hook) at both ends. The double loop configuration accelerates the tying process, increasing productivity.

What types of cardboard are recyclable?

Most types of cardboard waste can be baled, including:

OCC: known as the most commonly recycled cardboard, OCC has one or more corrugated sheets sandwiched between two outer walls. Additional fluted sheets can be added to increase protection and durability. OCC includes shipping boxes, pizza boxes, shoe boxes, impact protection pads, dividers, and retail displays.
Chipboard: thicker than paperboard, packaging, dividers, protectors, book covers, and product displays are made of chipboard.
Paperboard (solid cardboard): a thin, compact cardboard sheet suitable for high-quality printing. It is used for packaging and retail displays. Paperboard products also include food packaging, retail packaging, cereal boxes, beverage carriers, and some tissue paper products.

Most types of cardboard can be baled and recycled. Cardboard coated in wax, contaminated by food or other substances, or saturated with moisture cannot be recycled.

Benefits of recycling cardboard

Some of the benefits of recycling cardboard include:

Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
Production of 50% less sulfur dioxide
Job creation in collection, sorting, and processing
Reduced volume of cardboard waste that goes to landfills
Conservation of natural resources
Community engagement around environmental impact awareness

Cardboard recycling is a step toward a more sustainable future. Active participation in cardboard recycling programs and support for businesses that use recycled cardboard help minimize the environmental impact of OCC waste.