Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

ALMOST a billion elastic bands a year have to be bought by Royal Mail because so many are left littering the streets.

The number of red bands used to bundle mail has more than doubled this decade, leaving the cash-strapped organisation with an annual bill of nearly £1million.

The Record uncovered the figures after complaints about posties leaving paths, communal areas and gardens strewn with the red bands.

The revelation comes amid Government plans to privatise 30 per cent of the ailing public-owned service.

Last night, environmental groups and politicians slammed bosses over the mess caused by discarded bands.

Animal welfare charities also said the bands have choked ducks. Birds mistake them for worms and cats have needed surgery after eating them.

Green MSP Patrick Harvie said: "If re-using rubber bands could save almost £1million a year in these tough economic times, the Royal Mail should do it.

"The current approach is pretty wasteful.

"Management should be making the existing service more efficient and greener, not trying to get themselves privatised."

Details on the rubber band scandal were obtained under freedom of information laws.

Figures show that last year Royal Mail shelled out £982,677 on 871,695,000 elastic bands - enough to go round the world three times without even stretching them.

That is more than double Royal Mail's pre-2005 number of 342million.

Each band costs Royal Mail a 10th of a penny. The price has risen only slightly in recent years, so the cost rise is mainly down to the increase in the number used.

One postman said: "The bosses changed the bands to the red ones a few years back and said it was so we could spot them more easily if they were dropped.

"But the problem is they are flimsier than the old ones, so they flick off or snap really easily.

"Most of us are really conscientious about picking them up if they fly off, but some do just drop them willy-nilly."

Anti-litter group Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) have lobbied RoyalMail over the issue.

KSB spokeswoman Donna Niven said: "They are quite defensive and seem to be trying not to participate with us.

"We need a bit more awareness among postmen and women to encourage them to re-use the bands.

"We would stress to the Royal Mail to come forward and work with us to find a solution."

Ian Futter, the Scottish SPCA's head vet, said: "Discarded rubber bands are certainly a problem.

"If swallowed, they can create an obstruction in the gut which often requires surgery."

Royal Mail would not give a clear explanation for the huge rise in elastic band spending.

A spokeswoman said: "The increase in usage is the requirements for our operation.

"They are designed for recycling and we need our people to help us reduce costs."

What do you think of the band waste? Text 84080 or email letters@dailyrecord.co.uk.