Minor British Institutions: The Royal Mail rubber band

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/th ... 32703.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Years ago you might not have noticed the odd elastic band on the pavement. However, a decision by the Royal Mail in 2007 to issue red bands, nicely matching their vans and pillar boxes, has made them a more visible feature of national life.

The idea was that the posties who discarded them from bundles of letters would find them easier to retrieve. They didn't, so now we have much the same number of rubber bands littering the land, a fair proportion of the 342 million the Royal Mail issues every year – but they're just a bit more obvious.

For some, these bits of red rubber are a symbol of slovenliness; for others they represent a reassuring sign that the Royal Mail is still with us, despite its many tribulations.

There is nothing, one might add, to stop anyone picking one up and keeping Britain tidy. They make quite good substitutes for charity wristbands, and they also add a touch of glamour to an office worker's giant rubber band ball.

[not me]

in 2007? been red bands since i started in RM

[spoodoo]

There cheap rubbish too,snap all the time.Another great savings idea ,,,idiots !

[DGP1]

They're supposed to be biodegradable which is the reason they're so crap.

[packmule]

like everything else , cheap tat, Redirection bags seem to get smaller daily, kill off stickers great for left-handers, mail bags seem smaller ( maybe for all this 10% less mail )

[Lounge Lizard]

They're supposed to be biodegradable which is the reason they're so crap.

and are unique in that they biodegrade before or during and not after use

[DGP1]

They're supposed to be biodegradable which is the reason they're so crap.

and are unique in that they biodegrade before or during and not after use

You're lucky you don't get the hand-me-down bands from the MCs (although you can get the good original bands from them).