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.

Promoting sustainability: Baling wire can help

According to McKinsey research, 78% of Americans strive to incorporate sustainable brands into their lifestyle. This doesn’t just affect consumer-facing companies. To reflect sustainable values, consumer-facing companies increasingly deal with sustainable manufacturers, recyclers, and waste management companies. Whatever sector your business operates in, sustainability will factor into your success.

Steel baling wire promotes sustainability in multiple ways:

Supports the recycling industry
Supports the second-use box industry
More effective than plastic baling wire or twine
Infinitely recyclable

If you’re looking for a new way to cost-effectively promote organizational sustainability, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll discuss how baling wire promotes sustainability and a circular economy, and it might even make you money along the way.

Baling wire supports the recycling industry

Recyclables represent roughly USD 8.9 billion in revenue as of 2024, and the recycling industry continues to grow as recycled materials undercut raw material prices. The recycling industry relies on baling wire to facilitate the processing, transportation, and storage of recyclables. Recycled materials, such as:

Plastics, including PET, plastic film, and ABS plastics
Corrugated cardboard
Foam
Tires
E-waste
Tissue paper
Mixed office paper
Carpet
Aluminum cans
Textiles and fibers

Baling machines compact sorted recyclables into dense, compact bales. The bales are tied with baling wire to keep them compacted and shaped.

Baling wire is the smart solution for maintaining secure bales. It has the tensile strength needed to withstand extreme pressure and weight. It can also be galvanized to resist rust and corrosion for bales that need to be stored outdoors or for long periods.

Baling wire supports the second-use box industry

A sub-sector of the recycling industry, the second-use box industry focuses on keeping cardboard boxes in circulation until they degrade and must be shredded and repulped. This process side-steps traditional cardboard recycling, which is still resource-intensive and requires harsh chemicals during repulping.

Instead of crushing cardboard, businesses collect and break down boxes, put them in the baler, lightly compact them without damaging the fluting, and bind them with baling wire for shipping. As long as minimal pressure is used to form the bale, the baling wire won’t cut into the boxes or damage the fluting. Baling wire is the best binding for second-use boxes.

Steel baling wire is the most effective

Plastic baling wire is not aligned with sustainable recycling processes. Some twine baling wire is biodegradable, but most of it is made of polypropylene. Twine baling wire has limited use cases due to its low tensile strength. It can effectively secure small bales of lighter materials, such as foam or plastic. For heavy or abrasive materials, such as rubber, e-waste, or scrap metal, twine is not viable.

Even with light materials, twine baling wire has a load strength of about 60–80 lb. Mill-size bales are the standard for recycling centers, and they weigh roughly 700–1000 lb. If you use baling twine, you will be selling many more small bales to recyclers at a worse rate than if you used steel baling wire to produce larger bales.

Not only does steel baling wire perform better than plastic or poly twine, but it also has another important advantage over other types of baling wire.

Steel baling wire is infinitely recyclable

Steel baling wire has the best end-of-life alignment with sustainable practices. Once it has been used, recyclers can collect and sell it to scrap metal recyclers. Steel baling wire can be melted and reformed without losing quality. If setting your business up for a sustainable future is your goal, steel baling wire is the right choice for securing your recyclables and waste.