A bale compression device for receiving and compressing a bale of material. The device includes a press configured to compress the bale of material to a required compressed dimension, a binding applicator configured to apply a plurality of bindings around the bale of material prior to the bale being compressed, and a connector for connecting ends of each of the bindings to form a plurality of complete loops around the perimeter of the bale so that the plurality of loops act to hold the bale in a compressed state. The binding applicator acts to withdraw excess binding as the press compresses the bale, prior to the connector connecting the ends of each of the bindings, such that the complete loops are formed when the bale reaches its required compressed dimension.