Garden twine is far better to support your runner beans that those plastic green ties, which can harm wildlife and birds, if they fly away.
Never leave any kind of twine, string or ribbon in gardens (biodegradable or not). Because birds may take it to make nests, and it can strangle or tangle chicks or other garden wildlife. Also learn how to make your garden safe for pets.
Nutscene offers twines made from flax, cotton, hemp and macrame (knotted). Ideal to support garden vines, this is ethically produced and wound on a factory in Scotland, in many colours. Sold with dispensers with cutting blades included. The classic twine is wrapped in retro-styled paper labels.
natural biodegradable flax twine
This flax twine is made from the linen plant, so biodegradable after use. It’s sold in a recycled paper box with its own cutting blade, and you can buy refills. Made to quality standards in Switzerland.
where to recycle plastic garden ties & other waste
TerraCycle runs a program where for around £100 (everyone can pitch in with £1) people can drop off plastic garden ties, bags and pots, hoses and sprinklers. It’s sent off in a pre-paid shipping label on the box, to be made into other items. Although some programs are sponsored (free), this one isn’t. But think of it as a one-off amnesty to rid your area of all plastic garden waste. They have to charge for items not sponsored, because the company has to cover the cost of ‘recycling items that can’t be recycled’.