What gauge wire is best for baling paper?

The best wire gauge for baling paper depends on the type of baler and the bale size and weight. For vertical and horizontal balers, we recommend 12–13gauge wire. For two-ram balers, we recommend 10–12 gauge wire. Talk to your baler manufacturer, read your baler’s instruction manual, and reach out to us to find the best baling wire for your equipment.

Choose a wire gauge based on the size and density of your bales. Your wire's load strength should exceed the weight of the bale. We suggest going with a heavier-duty wire with a higher load strength if there is any uncertainty.

Wire gauge is inversely correlated to wire diameter. The larger the diameter, the smaller the gauge, and vice versa.

Best baling wire for paper

We carry several wire options for baling paper. The best type of wire for baling paper will also depend on storage conditions and duration. Here are some of the best options:

• 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. Galvanized bale ties offer enhanced abrasion-resistance for baled recyclables that are often handled roughly.
• Double loop bale ties are pre-cut to length. The double loop configuration accelerates the tying process, increasing productivity.
• Black annealed wire feeds smoothly through high-volume automatic baling machines that are commonly used in paper recycling. Annealing improves the wire’s elongation properties, which allows it to expand with dense paper bales without breaking.

The benefits of recycling paper

The benefits of recycling paper include the following:

• Reduced waste disposal costs, as the paper is removed from the waste stream
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions since less energy and water is required compared to creating new paper products
• Reduced energy and water consumption
• Reduced landfill usage
• Supports sustainability efforts and the circular economy

The paper recycling process

The process of recycling paper involves several steps:

• Collection. Paper is gathered from offices, schools, community curbside programs, and other sources.
• Sorting and transportation. The paper is transported to a materials recovery facility where it is sorted into different grades and contaminants are removed.
• Shredding and pulping. The sorted paper is then loaded into a pulper, mixed with water and other ingredients, then churned and broken down into small fibers. Non-paper elements such as tape, labels, and staples are filtered out during this process.
• Cleaning and screening. The resulting slurry of fibers is further screened for cleaning. This step may involve a flotation process to remove inks and other contaminants.
• Drying and rolling. The cleaned pulp is then dried and formed into rolls of paper, creating recycled paper.

Paper recycling tips

Here are some tips to streamline your paper recycling initiative:

• Conduct a waste audit. Identify the types of paper waste your operation generates to tailor your recycling program effectively.
• Implement recycling stations. Place clearly marked recycling bins in accessible areas to encourage proper disposal of paper products.
• Presort paper. Create recycling bins for different types of paper (office paper, tissue paper, shredded paper, etc.) to streamline the sorting process.
• Purchase recycled paper products. Opt for paper made from recycled content to support the recycling market and reduce demand for virgin materials.