How Black Annealed Formers Prevent the World from Becoming Overrun with Waste

Here’s some essential and likely little known news for anyone with a green conscience: black annealed formers are one product that are responsible for more than you realise when it comes to keeping our planet alive.

Granted, it’s not what you’d expect and not one you tend to think about. Ask anyone what the most important products in helping to control the amount of waste that gets deposited into landfills or incinerators are and, possibly with a bit of head scratching first, they might be more inclined to point at your standard issue, council-supplied recycling boxes than immediately scratch their chin and wisely point out that actually, black annealed formers are the unsung heroes of waste management, currently preventing this green planet of ours from becoming totally overrun with a tidal wave of old takeout containers, used needles and burned out fridges. Of course, if that’s exactly what you did say, then kudos to you: you’re clearly far ahead of the game, here. But for the rest of us who aren’t so aware of this essential product and the role it plays in waste management, here’s some vital information about it that you might not otherwise know of. As it happens, we all tend to rely on it far more than we might think.

Beyond recycling the waste that we can and depositing the rest into bin bags that we then leave curb side on certain days of the week, or stick into dumpsters, depending on the waste removal process of the area in which we live, the majority of us are likely guilty of a limited knowledge of, not to mention interest in, the waste removal process. We tend to be aware of the eventual destination of any waste that isn’t recycled, and do our bit to limit the amount of this we produce accordingly, in order to help do our bit for the planet and reducing our carbon footprints. But the exact logistics of the process are likely beyond us. Few of us can legitimately claim an in depth knowledge of the waste disposal process. Which is to be expected really. But here are some basic facts.

The first place the waste is taken to is a biological materials recovery centre, where general waste is separated from what can later be recycled. Bin bags are shredded and are left to dry out, as is the rest of the waste, over a period of time to help the materials to degrade. Once this has been completed, the excess waste is then bundled into bales. This is where the black annealed formers come into the equation.

Black Annealed Wire Formers / Image Courtesy of D R Baling Wire Manufacturers

Black annealed formers are a type of baling wire. Formers are made from carbon wire, which has then been annealed. The annealing process is a heat process whereby the wire is heated and then cooled to influence the properties of the metal. In this case, it makes the already strong wire more flexible, thus giving the wire the potential to be moulded. 

D R Baling Wire Manufacturers operate the most modern atmosphere controlled furnace in the UK, producing top-quality black annealed wire. Here is how it works: 


Black annealed formers are used in conjunction with a baling wire to secure them to materials. In the case of waste management, the formers are used to compress and secure the waste into uniform bundles, with the annealed wire able to contain and fix the waste safely in the bales. By doing this, it automatically becomes much easier and safer to store the waste (in the compressed bundles, it takes up a lot less storage space than it otherwise would have done), makes what could have been dangerous waste much safer to handle and allows it to be transported much for easily and safely, without the risk of any waste escaping and polluting the environment further.

From here, the waste is then transported to one of three places: either the incinerator, where it is then burned, to the dump or to the landfill.

All three methods of waste disposal have their controversies. Incinerating the waste is by far the cheapest method, but the resulting air pollution makes it a highly harmful way of disposing of the waste to the environment. The benefits of having the waste properly secured in bundles before it goes into the incinerator makes the process much more efficient. By compressing the waste into smaller bundles and then burning it in its bales, more waste can be incinerated at once, and thus much less energy is expended in the process.  

The alternatives are putting it into the ground. The issue with landfills is that they take up a lot of land that could otherwise have been used. That makes it an expensive way to dispose of waste, especially when you consider the cost of running the place on top of the valuable price of land. It also comes with its own environmental implications. The waste is deposited in the ground and then covered over, so as to protect any wildlife in the area, but that does not prevent the waste that is in the ground from seeping out of the area and polluting the local environment. Here again, though, the formers can help aid the process. The compressed bundles of waste help to contain the materials inside properly, making it much less likely that they could seep out of leak. It also means it is possible to dispose of more waste without taking up so much space. This may not be the most environmentally friendly approach, but it does have the benefit of being a much more efficient process, with less space needed to cover the same amount of waste.

Finally, the last option is to dispose of the waste in a dump. This is essentially the same as a landfill, except it is unregulated and the dumping ground is left open to the elements. As with the other two options, once again it is much safer when the waste is fully secured with the formers. The waste can then not escape and is not so exposed as if it all went in separately.

So there you have it: though you might not have thought it, black annealed formers are really essential to keeping the waste that we produce in this country under control. Without it, the entire disposal process would be far less efficient and would potentially have far greater implications for us and the environment. 

To find out more about D R Baling Wire's black annealed formers, or our wide range of high-quality baling wire products, please visit our website.

The Right Wire for Incineration

Not all baling wire is created equally and that is because it is used in an incredible range of industries. Even within the same industry, say the galvanisation of steel, it has such a myriad of uses necessitating a wide range of widths and strengths. 

Image Courtesy of hinnamsaisuy / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

One of the most prevalent industries of use is waste management. Baling wire is required for everything from transport to storage to holding bundles together for incineration. From the moment garbage (and yes, recycling) leaves your front curb, baling wire is in use. And it may not be the reason for the push towards recycling, but it has certainly assisted with its progression. That said, there is still a lot of garbage that needs to find a home in a landfill, or more preferably be incinerated, and baling wire makes that possible too.

Galvanised Wire / Image Courtesy of D R Baling Wire

But, baling wire by nature is strong and resilient, which is exactly why it is used in the galvanisation process. And, unfortunately, that sturdiness is what makes it so attractive, only it does not burn at the temperatures used to incinerate garbage. So, a slightly new product is required, one that leaves no waste behind at all –this could be a special form of plastic wire. 

How Incineration Works

There are several different types of incinerators in use around the world. These range from burn barrels to moving grate incinerators. They all have one thing in common, the use of fire at extensively high temperatures to reduce the physical amount of garbage, hopefully between 80-100%.  

In principle, waste that makes it to an incineration plant already has recyclable materials taken out of the pile. These days, it is expected that households and businesses do much of the separation themselves and remarkably little is left to do at separation centres and incineration plants. However, this is not always the case, and many incineration centres make use of separation centres, which bundle compacted waste for transport, or they will have their own facility.

As separated and compacted garbage arrives at an incineration plant, it is taking to a tipping hall, which is more or less what it says it is. This falls directly into a trash storage bunker. Usually, robotic arms move bundled garbage from this area into the incineration chamber. From here, nitrogen oxide, mercury, dioxide, acid gases and particulates are all removed from the garbage and its gases. What is left behind, is typically ash, that cannot be broken down further, and gases that undergo a pollution control test before being released into the atmosphere.

Assuming that everything recyclable and anything that cannot be incinerated has already been taken out of the process, then the only thing that should be left after burning is the baling wire used to hold bundles of garbage together.

And that is exactly why new innovation is required when it comes to using baling wire in the incineration process.  

Incineration in the United Kingdom

Over 109 square miles of land in the United Kingdom is used for landfill purposes. 16 million tonnes of garbage annually are added to these sites, making it difficult to sustain indefinitely. This is one of the primary reasons that incineration plants have become a popular method for disposing of garbage.  

About 10% of all UK waste is burnt before hauling remnants off to landfill sites. There are over 130 waste incineration sites in England and Wales and these are monitored by the Environment Agency.  Every operational incineration plant required a permit, either from the local government or the agency itself.

Most of the incinerators create steam energy (which is used on the main grid) as well as offering a reduction in the amount of garbage taken to landfills. For example, the Sheffield Energy Recovery Facility supplies energy to the National Grid, as well as the District Energy Network. And the incineration plant generates enough power to provide electricity to around 22,600 homes. Over 140 buildings in Sheffield are heated through this scheme. And all that comes from garbage!  

It certainly makes you wonder why such a large amount of garbage makes it into landfills in the first place. But landfill dumping in the UK is set to change.  
Landfill directives from the European Union have led to legislation and the imposition of landfill taxes and allowances. These laws are set to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases escaping from landfills, but with the added benefit of saving land and creating energy, the amount of garbage destined for incinerators is set to increase.  

The Argument for New Baling Wire Innovation

As the United Kingdom increases its drive towards incineration and moves away from excessive landfill use, additional incinerators will need to be built. And, as with any growth, additional accessories will be required. Coupled with increased recycling initiatives, less and less waste should be left behind in the ash piles of incinerators and hopefully that will amount to zero ash.  

New innovation in baling wire manufacturing could facilitate this process. Provided wire has the strength to withstand the transportation and storage phases, but the ability to incinerate at the temperatures used within Energy Recovery Facilities, waste management will only become easier over time. A lack of residue also means that any waste left behind in the process does not come from the facilitation of incineration.

Fortunately, these innovations have already been considered and are moving from concept to developmental phases within the UK. Not only is that an example of business working to improve the quality of their product but the earth and its inhabitants, as well.

It is entirely possible that you have never considered what happens to your garbage when it leaves your house, or the positive effects recycling can have on the environment. But, until all waste is fully recyclable, these innovations are a real planet saver.

Here at D R Baling Wire Manufacturers Ltd. we are always investing in innovative, ground-breaking wire products and machinery; just visit our website to find the right product for your needs! www.drbalingwire.co.uk

The Benefits of Using Galvanised Wire

Cut and Looped Galvanised Wire - 
Image Courtesy of D R Baling Wire

Galvanised wire is an essential commodity in the industrial and agricultural industries and is used in a number of sectors. Due to its strength and durability and the ability to produce mass quantities of it for relatively low costs, it is a product that has become popular across the world and is used in any number of sectors, essentially in everything from construction to waste management and recycling.

So what is galvanised wire and why should you use it for your business or even DIY projects?  
  


Galvanised wire is steel, iron or aluminium wire that has been coated in zinc. The zinc then works as a sacrificial anode, a protective barrier that protects the underlying metal from corrosive forces.

This can be done in a number of ways, including by electroplating, a process which uses an electric current to adhere the zinc to the wire. However, the most popular form of galvanising wire is by hot-dipping it. As the name suggests, this involves immersing the wire in molten zinc, to effectively cover every part of the wire. There are a number of benefits to using this method over electroplating, but the main advantage is that this process creates a thick, dull layer over the steel, as opposed to the relatively thin coating from electroplating, which will also create a bright and reflective surface.

Although other materials can be used, such as paint or enamel, zinc is by far the most effective as, even when it is scratched or eroded in places, it then acts as a sacrificial anode and still protects the steel underneath, even in the places that have been left exposed. This is down to the fact that zinc has a greater electronegativity than the base metal. The same cannot be said of the other materials.

It also has the added benefits of being relatively cost efficient (often cheaper to use than the other materials), easy to apply and much longer lasting: it can last for up to 20-25 years without requiring any maintenance and a life span of over 50 years is not uncommon. This is especially important when used in the construction industry. Materials such as paint are occasionally applied to the top of the zinc coating, for an added protective layer that improves the finish of the project for a more aesthetic feel, however, this is not necessary nor is it common practice in many of the sectors in which galvanised wire is relied upon. (Find out more about zinc here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc.)

Galvanising the wire will also render it much stronger and durable than the base material would usually be, which makes it an important commodity within the manufacturing industry, which requires these attributes in the materials used. While both the industrial and agriculture sectors use galvanised wire extensively, whether it’s to reinforce a fence or to create strong, steel ropes, it is particularly practical in the waste management and recycling sectors. Here, it is used as a baling wire, to compress a large amount of material into uniform bundles, which are then easy and safe to handle, store and transport. The ability to produce mass quantities of the wire for a relatively low cost, without compromising on the integrity and quality of the product, make it an essential product in industries such as these.

The wire can then be sold in hard or soft forms, depending on the client’s requirements, coming in both formers, coils or cut and looped form, which is used when the wire needs to be tied manually.

Image Courtesy of the Sydney Opera House

Popular in countries across the world, galvanised wire was even used to construct the Sydney Opera House!











So, with its long lifespan that requires minimal maintenance, strength and low cost, it’s no wonder that galvanised wire is such an essential commodity within certain industries, sectors and businesses. Even outside of the industry, you might want to consider it for your next DIY project!

D R Baling Wire Manufacturers produce the best galvanised wire products for the UK market; to find out more about our galvanised wire or talk to one of our representatives, please visit our website: www.drbalingwire.co.uk/galvanised-wire

How Recycling Works

Recycling has taken over and for good reason too; we are running out of space on the planet. Sure, there are some uninhabitable lands that still have no industry attached to them, but they are typically too far away to dump our garbage. Even if they were accessible, deserts, rainforests and the arctic are really the last bastions of Mother Nature we have left on the planet and truly, they should be protected. 

Fortunately, recycling has advanced technologically so that almost all household waste can actually be reused somehow. Whether it is food that can be used for compost, or it is our scrap paper which becomes repurposed as toilet tissue, recycling items means that useful materials are not taking up valuable space in landfills. 

What’s the Big Deal?

Space is not the only reason recycling makes sense, although that is clearly one of the most important factors when considering a recycling programme. In landfills, when materials with the ability to decompose are underneath a massive amount of other items they create a gas. This methane gas is the natural result of the decomposition of materials – and there is a major difference when they have access to oxygen and when they do not. When these gases are trapped at the bottom of a landfill, they become more than just toxic, they become explosive.

Not only that, but why should easily reusable materials be stuck in a landfill taking up all that valuable space, which could be reserved for the few items that cannot be repurposed? Our water is recycled, why should other items we use on a daily basis be any different?

Businesses are doing their bit by incorporating recycled and recyclable packaging for the products we use. That is not just because they want to appear to be doing the right thing; it is because of the damaging impact garbage and landfills leave on the planet. And it is not just a problem for future generations, our garbage and the way it is handled can (and does) have an impact on the world we live in today. Industry has been able to effect a large scale change in the products and packaging we use on a daily basis, all we need to do is follow suit.

How Recycling Works

In the early days of recycling, when it still seemed a matter for Californian ex-hippies, very few materials were easily recycled. Much has changed over the years; now, at least two-thirds of all household waste is reusable in some way. How it is used varies from material to material, but almost all recycling follows the same path to their new form. It all begins (and ends) in your home.

Collection and Separation

Your home likely has some kind of container for recyclable materials and possibly more than one, depending on where you live. Any packaging which is recyclable will be marked in some way so you can determine whether it heads to the black bin or your recycling container. And then, once a week, that container makes its way to the curb where it is collected by municipal or recycling company employees.

From your house it is transported to a separation centre. There, recyclable materials are differentiated by their makeup and divided into segments requiring the same treatment. It is in these separation centres where the little 4 or the 7 in the middle of the recyclable symbol makes a difference.

Once separated, garbage items are bundled together using baling wire. Depending on the recycling centre, this is typically an automated process requiring industrial baling machines and either black annealed or galvanised formers. Although it sounds as though it would be a complicated process, the right systems and wiring renders it almost effortless. Once bundled, recyclable materials head off to central recycling centres. Here, your recyclables are joined by similar materials from all over the country. In some instances, materials may be sent to recycling centres overseas, which makes the bundling process and the baling wire used even more important. 

Here's how galvanised wire is manufactured: 

 

The Recycling Process

Once materials are exactly where they need to be for recycling, they are cut down into pieces.  This size reduction process helps with further processing. It also makes it easier for transport. In some instances this cutting process happens even before materials head over to their processing centre. Just as the baling process sounds intricate, the right blades can make all the difference on the size reduction floor. 

Smaller pieces are then taken for a wash; the idea to remove anything that cannot be recycled within the same process. For example, the label stuck on the bottle of your favourite soft drink was applied with glue, so even if you remove the label traces of the glue will remain. The washing process works to remove or loosen these items. After items are washed, they undergo an additional separation process which removes any foreign elements (such as traces of labels) from the batch.

From there, taking plastic as an example, the cut and cleaned pieces are pumped through a machine which heats them so they can be melted into a new shape. The pellets that are formed are the basis for recycled plastic products. These pellets are shipped out to factories across the country (and the world) for repurposing. So, once again, they need to be packaged, or bundled according to the specifications of the purchasing company. 

Baling machines and the correct wiring is again the name of the game, rendering them almost as important as the recycled materials themselves.  

Image Courtesy of D R Baling Wire Manufacturers

Your Involvement

As the man or woman on the street, you do not need to worry about baling machines and blades that can cut plastic. All you need to do is make use of the recycling container issued by the municipality.  And, as you now know, you don’t have to scrub off the glue from each and every bottle or can. The recycling centres take care of most of the difficult work.

It is more important to make sure you opt for packaging which is recyclable (and almost every major retailer is concerned about this as well). And, once you are done with items, check whether they can be recycled. If they can, then it is important to dispose of them properly rather than allowing items to take up space in landfills. After that, it is a simple matter of taking your recycling container to the curb on the right day of the week. 

Fortunately, recycling has come a long way from its roots and has become easy. All you need to do is separate your waste before you take it to the curb; everything else is done for you.