I use tomato ties (green tape) to tie up my plants and collect and re-cycle them for the following season. Just in case they carry over a disease I'll put them in a bucket with a 5% bleach/water solution to soak for a few hours. Followed by a fresh water rinse and drying them off in the sun before reuse.

Thanks vgkg. Are the ties you use similar to bungees in what they're made of?

Your're welcome Catherinet, but no these are the green vinyl tape rolls (see : Garden tape) which can be bought at nurseries and home improvement garden centers. If your bungees get wet in the rain they should be able to handle a dilute bleach dip ok.

Thanks vgkg! It's great to have this place to ask people all sorts of questions. :) Thanks again!