MRM.COM : Our policy on elastic bands

Post by **POSTMAN** » 23 Aug 2017, 12:17

https://www.myroyalmail.com/news/2017/0 ... use-return" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

We use millions of elastic bands every year. The littering of elastic bands is harmful to the environment and wildlife, costs money and is damaging to our reputation.

We need to act now to help keep costs to a minimum, and do our bit for the environment.

Simply reducing the number of bands we use, reusing bands where possible and returning bands to the delivery office or mail centre after use will make a huge difference.

Our policy around reusing elastic bands and not littering remains a top priority for us. While the bands are re-used within some delivery offices and mail centres, there’s still more we can do.

Did you know…

Every year, we use around 338 tonnes of elastic bands to keep bundles of mail together
In 2016-17, we reduced the number of elastic bands we purchased by 8%
Hedgehogs and other wildlife are maimed and killed every year by being tangled in elastic bands
It is a misconception that it is unsafe to use elastic bands more than once.

Acting responsibly

There are a number of mail centres leading the way in reusing elastic bands and supplying their local delivery offices with used bands. You can see how Leeds mail centre is tackling this problem head on by clicking here...
https://www.myroyalmail.com/rmtv/rmtv-1 ... yee-survey" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Neil Windsor, environmental pillar lead at Leeds mail centre, said: ‘When we changed our waste streams, we realised we had a surplus of customers’ elastic bands that we could reuse rather than just recycle or throw away. We soon had more elastic bands than we needed and we distributed them to our local delivery offices.

‘The benefits to the company are the substantial projected saving for the next financial year. Get involved. You can save the business money and also protect our wildlife.’

Everyone has a responsibility towards the environment to pick bands up that have been dropped and reuse them following the safety instructions.

Royal Mail along with the CWU and CMA has signed a joint agreement outlining our commitment to reduce the number of elastic bands used across the business. The agreement is available here...
https://www.myroyalmail.com/sites/defau ... 0Unite.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Please look out for more information about the new process and some dos and don'ts in Courier, RMtv and WTLLs in the coming weeks.

JKSmudge · Post by **JKSmudge** » 23 Aug 2017, 14:55

....and how much time and money is wasted when everyday, we have to ask the managers to supply elastic bands and 739 cards? as is the case in our office.

oypostie · Post by **oypostie** » 23 Aug 2017, 14:58

or more to the point we don't care about the environment but it sounds good and we can save a few more pennies in to the bargain

hans solo · Post by **hans solo** » 23 Aug 2017, 15:15

Reusing dirty elastic bands is a health and safety issue

Redcollar · Post by **Redcollar** » 23 Aug 2017, 15:15

Literally have to take my bands home with me. Could turn my back for 30 seconds and they are all nabbed rather than lazy c***s going to the office to get some

Post by **CPTNemoUK** » 23 Aug 2017, 15:19

I always reuse them and never chuck them on the floor (unless it snaps and flys off somewhere and i can't find it). But reusing them is dangerous, nearly had on in my eye. but missed because i wear glasses. it still hit my face and it bloody hurts.

Tomolo208 · Post by **Tomolo208** » 23 Aug 2017, 15:46

I dont get why people throw them on the floor. So unnecessary. If you really worry for your H&S then fair enough, take them back to the office and leave them on your fitting. Guaranteed someone else will brave the band snapping and they'll disappear in no time.

Someone's getting paid to monitor elastic bands... Next it'll be quotas of elastic bands per employee

pinstripe · Post by **pinstripe** » 23 Aug 2017, 17:58

I think they just change the date on this, it's been the same for at least 10 years.

Oh, and think of the poor hedgehogs you eco-vandals

Post by **greengiant** » 23 Aug 2017, 18:48

How about some reusable long velcro straps or something similar to go round the bundles? May cost more to buy, but would be reusable for longer?

Post by **CPTNemoUK** » 23 Aug 2017, 19:02

greengiant wrote:How about some reusable long velcro straps or something similar to go round the bundles? May cost more to buy, but would be reusable for longer?

Even something has simple has a hair bobble or something like it. Or put our frames on wheels and we can drag them around

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 23 Aug 2017, 19:28

pinstripe wrote:I think they just change the date on this, it's been the same for at least 10 years.

Oh, and think of the poor hedgehogs you eco-vandals

We should be glad at the moment of change from being reminded we've got the best pay, best conditions and best everything else but, yes, year after year we hear this same message.

No matter how often it's repeated the great majority of us will carry on reusing the bands

while a small minority will continue dropping them on the floor

.

Mobey · Post by **Mobey** » 23 Aug 2017, 19:36

CPTNemoUK wrote:I always reuse them and never chuck them on the floor (unless it snaps and flys off somewhere and i can't find it). But reusing them is dangerous, nearly had on in my eye. but missed because i wear glasses. it still hit my face and it bloody hurts.

I've had one snap off and fly into my bollix before!

That hurt a wee bit!

Alexei · Post by **Alexei** » 23 Aug 2017, 19:53

I use my collection of larger, stronger elastic bands that are used to band up walk sequenced and whatever else. Have a fair whack of them, they're much better than the normal sized ones that work once.

postslippete · Post by **postslippete** » 23 Aug 2017, 20:57

greengiant wrote:How about some reusable long velcro straps or something similar to go round the bundles? May cost more to buy, but would be reusable for longer?

Royal Mail could use the Rapstrap - which featured on Dragon's Den - its a bit like a tie-wrap but has the added advantage in that it can be released and reused again as necessary. But unfortunately, they cost money. One thing our company does not have, is the best tools for the job. Instead it has the best jobs for the tools.

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 23 Aug 2017, 21:17

Mobey wrote:
CPTNemoUK wrote:I always reuse them and never chuck them on the floor (unless it snaps and flys off somewhere and i can't find it). But reusing them is dangerous, nearly had on in my eye. but missed because i wear glasses. it still hit my face and it bloody hurts.
I've had one snap off and fly into my bollix before!

That hurt a wee bit!

That's why wearing trousers is a good idea.