Abstract

A method is provided for binding a first low density bale with a plurality of straps and then reusing sections of the straps to bind a second, smaller bale which is compressed from the first bale. A plurality of primary straps are provided with a multiple of discrete arrays of longitudinally spaced joint elements, the joint elements of each array being adapted to interlock with the joint elements of another array to form a sealless connection therebetween. Each primary strap is looped around the first low density bale and the ends of the strap are connected through two of the arrays of interlocking joint elements. Each primary strap further has, at spaced locations along its length, severance indicia and readily disengageable anti-reverse engaging tabs. When desired, the first bale may be subsequently further compressed to allow removal of the primary straps. When this is done, the primary straps now being larger than the bale, may be pushed inwardly, in the region of the interlocking joint element connection, towards the bale surface to permit disengagement of the anti-reverse tabs and release of the connection. Next, with the preferred embodiment, each primary strap is severed in two places to create second and third strap segments and a disposable waste end portion. A number of similar second strap segments are connected together to form a composite strap of a length equal to the third strap segment. The bale can then be recompressed to a smaller size and bound with one or more equal lengths of the composite straps and third strap segments.