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.

How much does a bale of foam sell for?

A 500-lb foam sells for about $40. US recyclers can expect to sell foam bales for $60 to $400 per ton, depending on foam type, purity, and bale density. Clean polyurethane foam bales from mattresses and furniture bring top dollar, while contaminated or mixed foam sells for much less.

Recyclable foam types

Flexible polyurethane (PU) foam from mattresses, furniture padding, automotive seats, and other cushions is the most profitable to recycle. Rigid PU foam from appliance insulation and construction materials also has value, though typically lower than flexible grades.

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) includes packaging foam, food containers, and building insulation. EPS bales require more compression due to low density and value but can still generate revenue at scale.

Other recyclable foams include:

Expanded polyethylene (EPE)
Cross-linked polyethylene
Memory foam and specialty grades

Even though many types of foam can be recycled, heavily contaminated foam with fabric, adhesives, or chemical treatments often has little market value or requires expensive, complex machinery to process. Some buyers reject contaminated material entirely.

What affects foam bale value?

Purity

Clean, dry foam gets the highest price because it is easy to process and mostly reusable. Contamination has the largest negative impact on the value of foam bales. Contaminants include:

Fabric backing
Adhesive residue
Chemical treatments
Grease
Food
Garbage

Some contaminants are part of the manufacturing process for a particular product, but many are present due to poor disposal and storage.

Moisture

Moisture content adds shipping weight without adding value. Wet foam also develops mold and odors that make it unsellable. Buyers often reject damp foam bales. For the best foam bale prices, source your foam from recycling programs that keep recyclables separate and store them in dry conditions.

Bale density and integrity

Since foam is light and voluminous, it must be heavily compacted to create profitable bales. Many recyclers utilize two-ram balers to create dense bales. Foam is expansive, so choose baling wire with enough elongation to stretch with the bale, or choose baling wire with enough carbon content to withstand the expansion pressure.

Learn about baling wire for foam.

Average foam prices

Condition	Price per ton*	Recommended wire
Clean PU	Dry, pure, flexible grade	$200–$400	Black annealed wire
Mixed PU	Multiple types, minor contamination	$100–$200	Galvanized wire
Rigid PU	Construction, appliance-grade	$80–$150	Black annealed wire
Clean EPS	High density, compressed	$150–$250	High-tensile wire
Contaminated foam	Fabric, adhesive, chemical residue	$20–$80	Standard wire

*Average price calculations as of 2025

According to research, foam recycling has established supply chains and growth outlooks that support stable pricing.

Sources

What type of baling wire is best for baling foam?

The most common types of baling wire used to bale foam are black annealed and high-tensile galvanized wire. If you need to store bales for longer or in harsh conditions, use galvanized wire.

Black annealed wire

Black annealed baling wire is used for high-density bales that require flexibility, bales that are stored indoors, or bales stored for a relatively short time. We offer black annealed by the box or stem. The benefits of black annealed wire for baling foam include:

Elongation properties: stretches up to 25% to accommodate different densities of foam and shifting materials as bales settle.
Compatibility with automatic balers: feeds smoothly in high-volume machines (use stem black annealed wire).
High tensile strength: secures dense bales of foam without snapping.
Limited corrosion resistance: finished with a wax coat that provides minimal protection against moisture and corrosion.

Bright wire

We offer bright baling wire as single loop and double loop bale ties. Here’s why you should use bright bale ties to bale foam:

Economical: uncoated steel wire is the cheapest option.
Indoor use: sufficient for dry environments.
Aesthetics: sleek appearance for client-facing applications.

Single loop bale ties can be tied to accommodate different bale sizes. Double loop bale ties are pre-cut to length. The double loop configuration accelerates the tying process. Bale ties work with horizontal and vertical manual foam balers.

High-tensile galvanized wire

High-tensile wire with a galvanized surface offers more load strength than regular wire and withstands extreme outward pressure from expandable materials, such as foam.

We carry hi-tensile galvanized stem wire for two-ram balers and high-throughput automatic foam-baling presses. Choose between a simple Class 1 or more resilient Class 3 galvanization based on the level of resistance you need.

What gauge baling wire is best for foam?

The baling wire gauge you should use for baling foam depends on two factors:

Number of wires your baler uses (typically 3 or 4).
Bale weight (heavier bales require stronger wire).

The total load strength of all bale wires must exceed the weight of the foam bale to prevent breakage. Thinner wire is cheaper, so businesses should go with the thinnest baling wire that can safely bind their bales. For example, a 1,200-lb bale made by a 3-wire baler could use an 11 gauge wire since:

3 (# of wires) x 735 (load strength of 11 gauge black annealed stem wire) = 2,205 lb

Always follow your baler manufacturer’s wire recommendations, and contact us for wire selection assistance.

Here are our general wire gauge recommendations for foam:

Foam bale weight	3-wire baler	4-wire baler
Under 500 lb	12 gauge	13 gauge
500–1,000 lb	11 gauge	12 gauge
1,000–1,500 lb	10 gauge	11 gauge
1,500–2,200 lb	9 gauge	10 gauge

How to get the best price for your foam bales

Remove contaminants, including fabric backing, adhesives, and other foreign materials.
Keep your foam dry.
Size your bales to maximize transportation capacity.
Compact dense bales.
Use high-quality baling wire.

Baling Wire Direct supports foam recyclers

We’ve got the wire you need to maintain efficient and safe foam baling operations within the foam recycling industry and beyond. We source steel from family-owned mills and use time-tested manufacturing techniques to deliver the best baling wire products on Earth.