I’ve seen and heard many overlanders and off-roaders list bailing wire as a must-have in one’s recovery kit. Not being a “country boy” but one that’s into preparedness and self recovery, I’d like to better understand it’s use. It is an alternative to duct tape? Is it for use as a replacement for when a bolt shakes loose and rattles off?
-Mahalo,
Alex
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Hey Alex -
You can use baling wire for all sorts of things. Imagination is your only limitation, really. Originally known more for binding bales of stuff--hence the name--typically hay or cardboard, it's regularly used for attaching fence to posts (not just farm fences), in garden and greenhouse business, auto biz for reattaching parts temporarily, just all sorts of uses.
I keep a small coil of finer gauge around all the time, both in my vehicle and on the workbench. In fact, in looking for wire I can use for the nose bridge on face masks I'm making for health care workers, I have some on my desk right now. So, I was surprised to see this thread pop up!
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I've used wire to help keep things organized, too, like kept nuts and washers strung on a length of it in the past, formed into a ring. Keeps it handy and serves a purpose while being stored.
I used a length one time to keep tie rod linkage back together 'til I got back to where I could work on it.
If looking for it online you may have better luck searching for "baler wire." Remember the bigger the number, the smaller the wire gauge. 16 is thinner than 14, for example.
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Hardware stores, as mentioned, if they're open around you, usually have wire.
Tractor Supply usually has more, though right now all they're listing online is red Brand Baler Wire 14.5 gauge, though I didn't look real deep.
Amzn has a wide selection of types, sizes, and lengths. The best price there seems to be the 200' roll of 16ga for $6.98.
I keep some of this around all the time, too, for a variety of uses and projects: Green Garden Wire 22ga.
ULine has baling wire, but primarily in much bigger coils.
Hope you find some to keep around and find creative ways to use it!
Mahalo
Stay safe, stay clean, stay healthy!
According to the American Forest and Paper Association, 93.6% of OCC (old corrugated containers), or cardboard, was recycled in , making cardboard one of the most successfully recycled materials.
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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.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Cardboard Baling Wire. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
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:
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- 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