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.

What types of paper can be recycled?

According to the EPA, the US generates roughly 67 million tons of paper and paperboard waste annually. Of that, about 60% is recycled. Waste paper takes up valuable landfill space, and paper production requires significant water, energy, and virgin fiber resources.

To combat waste and promote a circular economy, paper should be recycled. Most types of paper can be recycled, including:

Newspapers and magazines: recyclable, even if glossy.
Office paper: includes printer paper, stationery, notebooks (without plastic covers)
Envelopes: recyclable with or without plastic windows.
Catalogs and flyers: generally accepted for recycling.
Wrapping paper: plain wrapping paper without embellishments such as glitter or foil.
Brown paper bags: recyclable if unbleached.

Depending on the type, paper can be recycled multiple times before the fibers become too short. Paper recycling reduces water and energy demands, frees up valuable landfill space, reduces water and soil pollution, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and keeps valuable resources within the production loop.

The paper recycling process

The paper recycling process follows these general steps, from end of life to new product:

Collection: Recyclers gather used paper from homes, offices, and businesses through recycling bins or collection points and take it to a recycling facility.
Sorting: Paper is sorted into different categories (e.g., newspaper, office paper).
Baling: Industrial balers compress paper into dense bales for transportation to paper mills.
Cleaning: A series of cleaning processes remove contaminants such as paper clips, staples, plastic, and glue.
Shredding: At the paper mill, bales are broken down, and conveyors feed the paper into shredders.
Pulping: Shredded paper is mixed with water and chemicals in a large vat called a pulper, creating a slurry.
De-inking: If necessary, the pulp undergoes a process to remove ink and improve whiteness.
Papermaking: The cleaned pulp is sprayed onto a moving mesh screen, forming a wet sheet of paper. The wet paper sheet passes through heated rollers to remove excess water and create the desired thickness.
Finishing: The paper is wound into large rolls or cut into sheets, depending on its intended use.
Converting: The recycled paper is used to manufacture new products.

Paper can be recycled about 5–7 times using this process.

What products are made of recycled paper?

Recycled paper is strong enough to become many useful products, including the following:

Office paper
Cardboard boxes
Toilet paper
Paper towels and napkins
Greeting cards
Phone books
Egg cartons
Magazines and newspapers
Paper bags
Tissue paper
Insulation material
Craft products

What types of paper can’t be recycled?

These paper products are impractical or impossible to recycle:

Used paper towels and tissues: due to contamination.
Waxed or coated paper: includes wax paper and many take-out containers that have plastic linings.
Greeting cards with glitter or foil: contaminate the recycling process.
Thermal receipts: coated in chemicals that prevent recycling.

Market forecast for paper recycling

The global paper recycling market is poised for steady growth in the coming years, driven by increasing environmental awareness, government regulations, and corporate sustainability initiatives. According to recent market research, the industry is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.8% from 2023 to 2030, potentially reaching a value of USD 63.32 billion by 2030.

Learn about paper bale prices.

The benefits of recycling paper

The benefits of recycling paper include the following:

Generates new paper products
Reduces energy and water consumption
Reduces landfill usage
Reduces waste disposal costs since paper is removed from the waste stream
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions since less energy and water is required
Supports the circular economy

Sustainability depends on recycling paper. Active participation in paper recycling programs and support for businesses that use recycled paper products minimize the environmental impact of paper production and waste.

Best baling wire for paper recycling

We carry several wire options 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. Here are some of the best options:

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.
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.

Talk to us if you’d like help choosing the best wire for your operation.

Baling wire products we offer

Baling Wire Direct sells the following high-quality baling wire products.

Baling Wire FAQ

Didn't find your answer?

Our team is just an email away and ready to answer your questions

What types of paper can be recycled?

The paper recycling process

What products are made of recycled paper?

What types of paper can’t be recycled?

Market forecast for paper recycling

The benefits of recycling paper

Best baling wire for paper recycling

Read More Blogs

Balers for automatic-tie wire

Baling Wire Direct

What are the pros and cons of bright wire?

Baling Wire Direct

How to choose the right baling wire for your requi...

Baling Wire Direct

Baling wire products we offer

Shop annealed wire by the box

Shop annealed wire by the stem

Shop galvanized wire

Shop high-tensile wire

Baling Wire FAQ

What is baling wire used for?

What is a baling machine used for?

What is the strongest bailing wire?

What is the circular economy?

Is a bigger gauge wire always better?

Does baling wire rust?

What wire gauge sizes does Baling Wire Direct offer?

Didn't find your answer?