Cable ties are generally designed as single-use devices; however, they can be reopened with little or no damage by inserting a small flat object between the ratchet and the pawl, and pulling the pawl out. Some models have a mechanism to release the pawl and allow re-use. Alternatively, the tie can be twisted 180 degrees and inserted into the case upside down to create a weaker loop that can be easily opened by hand, but still strong enough for certain simple tasks, such as holding several cables together.[citation needed]
In later years,[when?] some manufacturers have developed cable ties from materials other than traditional plastics, with such cable ties instead being made from recyclable materials such as long wood fibres
