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Andy B
Moderator
New Zealand
3159 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Feb 2011 : 23:14:00
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The dropping of the red rubber bands by postmen and women has always bugged me especially as they are red they stand out. Even though it has been raised nationally I do not understand why it should not be frowned upon locally and stopped.
Besides the cost it is littering and must technically be an offence but it also an environmental issue even though they are bio-degradable they are a problem for wild life.
Maybe if there is a Postie on here she/he could tell us why they are not collected for re-use or at least disposal.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12518196
For the record I have not noticed the same problem here in NZ but I live in a rural area so my mail is delivered by a guy in a van. |
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Winter
Wolfer
United Kingdom
651 Posts |
Posted - 20 Feb 2011 : 23:39:34
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I actually find them very useful, I often pick them up and they end up wrapped around my notebooks, or similar.
Have the Keep Britain Tidy people got any actual evidence of wild animals choking on the bands, or is it something they think could happen, because there are lots of things wild animals could choke on. |
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skippy
Advanced Member
1019 Posts |
Posted - 20 Feb 2011 : 23:54:14
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Andy, we get a man in a van as well, but he gets out, walks up to the communial postboxes for the flats, takes out bundles of banded letters and removes the bands, throwing them on the floor before posting the letters.
Why can they not even be bothered to put them back in their post bag?
Yes it is littering and if you can be fined for dropping a cigarette end, they should be as well. |
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Dusty
Senior Member
United Kingdom
685 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2011 : 00:15:06
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| Why don't the Post Office offer to buy back any rubber bands returned by posties at the same price they pay to the suppliers, the money given to a charity of the posties choice. This would not only resolve the litter problem but also be an incentive to the posties not to throw them on the ground and also improve the Post Offices public profile. |
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steve
Moderator
United Kingdom
1354 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2011 : 01:26:59
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quote:
Originally posted by Winter
I actually find them very useful, I often pick them up and they end up wrapped around my notebooks, or similar.
I collect them too. Free stationery. |
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Andy B
Moderator
New Zealand
3159 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2011 : 04:13:15
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I have picked them up and used them in the past but if RM state they get through 2 million a day what percentage are reused and I believe the majority end up as litter. The number picked up by Joe Public must be minimal.
I do not know if they do kill wild life but they have the potential to do so they say the plastic that holds four drink cans together is harmful to dolphins but I have never seen evidence of it.
Maybe there should be a campaign for Ware to become rubber band free? |
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ian.ball
WoLFer & Moderator
United Kingdom
2789 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2011 : 09:13:47
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I guess it shouldn't happen, but I too pick them up and use them or throw them away.
Now, if you banned all junk mail you'd reduce the number of rubber bands by 50% at a stroke  |
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FurtiveBertie
WoLFer
United Kingdom
684 Posts |
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RichardH
Average Member
United Kingdom
381 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2011 : 10:33:28
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| Does that include the non addressed stuff the Post Office obvioulsy get paid to maildop? I suspect it doesn't. However I think that you can inform the post office you don't want that delivered as well - though they don't make it easy. |
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FurtiveBertie
WoLFer
United Kingdom
684 Posts |
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JCB
Average Member
United Kingdom
348 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2011 : 11:38:39
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| Thanks FB, I'm fed up with junk mail and those pesky red bands are just so annoying outside the front door! |
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REG
Senior Member
United Kingdom
530 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2011 : 12:24:46
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| Littering is littering and I for one would like the postman to pick them up or be fined as such. |
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Mel
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
1296 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2011 : 16:03:55
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| I have in the past put them in an envelope marked 'I think these belong to you' and put them back in the postbox - unstamped! |
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mb1
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
2142 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2011 : 16:07:50
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| They're quite good for making catapults! |
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Mel
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
1296 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2011 : 18:01:25
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| or balls! |
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ian.ball
WoLFer & Moderator
United Kingdom
2789 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2011 : 20:40:47
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quote:
Originally posted by RichardH
Does that include the non addressed stuff the Post Office obvioulsy get paid to maildop? I suspect it doesn't. However I think that you can inform the post office you don't want that delivered as well - though they don't make it easy.
Sadly that is still delivered along with all the flyers and free newspapers, as is junk mail from any company you have dealings with - that's considered "solicited" mail - oo err! Having said that, we registered with the mail preference service a few years back and it does reduce junk mail significantly so worth doing in my view.
We only get about 1 red rubber band a week now |
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boyboy
Average Member
257 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2011 : 07:51:52
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| Has anyone reposted junkmail that is addressed to them. A colleague of mine does this and his record is 15 times redelivered. He took on with him on holiday to Devon and it got redelivered to ware. |
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JCB
Average Member
United Kingdom
348 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2011 : 08:31:19
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| By reposting junk mail, does anyone get charged for it or is all done at the cost of Royal Mail? |
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Andy B
Moderator
New Zealand
3159 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2011 : 08:42:05
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Its a rubber band thread not a junk mail thread.
Keep it on track guys. |
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