Keith stretches out to collect discarded elastic bands

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Keith stretches out to collect discarded elastic bands from the roads of Hale

http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/ne ... ?ref=var_0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A HALE resident has been tackling local litter problems - by collecting elastic bands.

Keith Neal, of Carlton Road, collected around 1,000 rubber bands last year while walking around Hale, weighing 660g, discarded by Royal Mail delivery staff. He considers the elastic bands to be an unslightly contributor to the litter on our streets.

Keith, 75, said: “We need to care more for our environment and show, through example, that we can all do our little bit.”

Admitting that while picking up elastic bands throughout the year might seem peculiar, he says it is good exercise for his back.

Keith has been picking up elastic bands for the past three years -- collecting half a kilo in 2012 -- and will be continuing with the clean up.

Each year he returns them to Royal Mail but says he has seen little evidence of any action being taken, despite walking 250 miles a year picking them up.

Helen Bingham, from environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Keith is setting a fantastic example to everyone by showing that we can all do our bit to tackle the problem of litter that blights our streets.”

Over the years, the charity has encouraged Royal Mail to play its part by getting its postal workers to keep hold of the bands.

Royal Mail spokesperson Val Bodden said: “We regularly remind our postmen and women of the importance of avoiding litter and the benefits of re-using bands.”

“We re-use millions of rubber bands each year and the vast majority are recycled within delivery offices and mail centres.”

[bustedflush]

Good exercise for his back?? He should be bending his knees when picking them up. He should be band from the streets for his obsessive compulsive behaviour.

[doorstepped]

I recon he is " Band Tidy "

[Ahebban]

They rarely last long enough to be considered re-usable such is the poor quality of the bands!

[Sidley]

All this time I thought the laccy bands were special and degraded in sunlight when they were just cheap shite.

[Lounge Lizard]

"Keith Neal, of Carlton Road, collected around 1,000 rubber bands last year while walking around Hale" but that's about three bands a day, and did Keith walk three or four miles a day around Hale to find them ? - not that the local rag would be interested in such a perspective.

[saddlerposty]

village idiot of the year and we're only in January.

[DB1100]

He would be far better picking up dog sh1te,he would get more than 660g of that

[martin the green]

how do they know that they were all royal mail bands. they appear all over the place and are not necessarily dropped by delivery staff.

[5plusbonusball]

wot they were still intact after days on the street ? mine shatter in my face at work! need some goggles .