How is baling wire used in the recycling industry?

In the recycling industry, baling wire facilitates the efficient management, transportation, and storage of recyclable materials. According to the EPA, roughly 94 million tons of municipal solid waste were recycled and composted in 2018.

The recycling process requires large quantities of baling wire to create compact bales of recycled materials, such as cardboard, metal, and plastic. At the end of its life, baling wire can be recycled.

Baling wire and the recycling process

Baling wire secures bales of recyclable materials. Here is how recycling works:

1. Recyclable materials, such as corrugated cardboard, plastics, or aluminum, are collected and sorted.
2. The materials are conveyed into balers (vertical balers, horizontal balers, two-ram balers, or auto-tie balers).
3. The baler crushes materials into a dense, compact bale.
4. Workers or auto-tie balers tie baling wire around the bales to secure them.
5. The baled materials enter storage or get sent to recycling facilities or other end-users for further processing.

Steel baling wire is the single best solution for securing bales of materials as they undergo the recycling process.

Types of baling wire in recycling

Baling wire is chosen based on the type of material being baled, bale density and weight, and storage conditions. 

Black annealed wire

One of the most common wires in recycling, black annealed wire is popular for its elongation and ductility. The annealing process improves the wire’s ability to flex and stretch, which is great for baling expansive materials and bales that will settle or expand over time, such as rubber tires, cardboard, and e-waste.

Whileannealed wire will rust, the wax coating applied to its exterior offers some resistance to corrosion. Black annealed wire is best for baling materials that won’t be stored outdoors, such as mixed office paper and tissue paper.

Black annealed wire feeds smoothly into vertical and horizontal auto-tie balers and two-ram balers.

Galvanized wire

Galvanized wireis preferred for materials that must be stored for a long period or in harsh, corrosive environments. Materials commonly baled with galvanized wire include aluminum, plastic, and copper. 

The galvanization process coats the wire in a rust-resistant layer of zinc. While galvanized wire may eventually rust, galvanization dramatically increases its lifespan (sometimes exceeding 50+ years).

Wire can be subjected to different classes of galvanization, defined by the thickness of its zinc coating. We offer both Class 1 and Class 3 galvanized wire. Class 3 galvanization delivers a zinc coat that is nearly four times as thick as Class 1, offering significantly improved abrasion and corrosion resistance.

Hi-tensile wire

High-tensile wire is used for dense, heavy bales and bales of expansive materials. High-tensile wire is made from high-carbon steel, which increases its tensile strength.

Industrial recycling equipment often requires high-tensile wire to manage bales of heavy recyclables such as e-waste, copper, and carpet.

Bale ties

Bale ties come in both single and double loop configurations. Single loop bale ties have a single loop at the end, allowing for adjustable bale sizes. Double loop bale tieshave a loop at each end,and they hook shut. They can be fastened quickly but must be properly sized to the bales.

Bale ties are used with manual vertical and horizontal balers, typically in smaller recycling settings. We carry bale ties in black annealed, bright (uncoated), and galvanized finishes.

Benefits of using baling wire in recycling

Baling wire improves the recycling process in the following ways:

• Storage and transportation efficiency. Materials baled with baling wire are compact and safe to transport, reducing storage space requirements and optimizing transportation.
• Cost-effectiveness. Baling wire is a cost-effective solution compared to alternative methods of securing recyclable materials, such as strapping or netting. The durability and reusability of baling wire further contribute to its cost-effectiveness.
• Versatility. Baling wire can secure most recyclable materials, including corrugated cardboard, plastics, and foam.

Durability and strength. The high tensile strength of baling wire keeps bales secure, minimizing the risk of breakage or spillage.