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Are loom bands the next environmental disaster? Are loom bands the next environmental disaster?
(10 days later)
Watching his daughters make bracelets from rubber bands, Cheong Choon Ng, an engineer working for Nissan in the US, developed a plastic loom on which to weave coloured synthetic rubber bands. These have proved catnip for four- to eight-year-olds (the recommended age), who churn out homemade plastic jewellery.Watching his daughters make bracelets from rubber bands, Cheong Choon Ng, an engineer working for Nissan in the US, developed a plastic loom on which to weave coloured synthetic rubber bands. These have proved catnip for four- to eight-year-olds (the recommended age), who churn out homemade plastic jewellery.
We now have a craze on our hands. Ask any teacher – some schools have banned loom bands on the grounds that they’re a distraction or threaten the blood flow of small fingers. Cheong Choon Ng has left Nissan to be the first loom band oligarch.We now have a craze on our hands. Ask any teacher – some schools have banned loom bands on the grounds that they’re a distraction or threaten the blood flow of small fingers. Cheong Choon Ng has left Nissan to be the first loom band oligarch.
Who can begrudge him his good fortune or that of children who want to put down their electronic devices and make something? This is a handicraft, and ordinarily I would approve wholeheartedly.Who can begrudge him his good fortune or that of children who want to put down their electronic devices and make something? This is a handicraft, and ordinarily I would approve wholeheartedly.
Unfortunately it’s also a litter time bomb. I’ve lost count of the number of loom band spillages I’ve seen on pavements. Washed down drains and into water courses, millions of little bands of synthetic, silicone-based rubber add to the more than 7m tonnes of rubbish that reach the world’s oceans each year.Unfortunately it’s also a litter time bomb. I’ve lost count of the number of loom band spillages I’ve seen on pavements. Washed down drains and into water courses, millions of little bands of synthetic, silicone-based rubber add to the more than 7m tonnes of rubbish that reach the world’s oceans each year.
You may remember the furore a few years ago over red rubber bands (now brown) discarded by postmen. The rubber was said to threaten wildlife, particularly hedgehogs. The loom band presents a similar danger to pets and wild animals.You may remember the furore a few years ago over red rubber bands (now brown) discarded by postmen. The rubber was said to threaten wildlife, particularly hedgehogs. The loom band presents a similar danger to pets and wild animals.
Some have asked if latex bands would be more sustainable. Natural rubber can be seen as ecologically superior to synthetic, which consumes energy and produces carbon dioxide. But natural rubber plantations are fraught with ethical problems, too – from enslaved rubber tappers to the annexation of rainforest. If the loom band inventor had also invented a new source of bio rubber (see Green Crush, below), then I’d be happy.Some have asked if latex bands would be more sustainable. Natural rubber can be seen as ecologically superior to synthetic, which consumes energy and produces carbon dioxide. But natural rubber plantations are fraught with ethical problems, too – from enslaved rubber tappers to the annexation of rainforest. If the loom band inventor had also invented a new source of bio rubber (see Green Crush, below), then I’d be happy.
As it is, I’m deeply sceptical that any existing bands are biodegradable. In practice they’re photosensitive (they break down in light) instead. In waterways they break down into small fragments, so are potentially even more easily ingested by wildlife. In anaerobic landfill they don’t really break down at all.As it is, I’m deeply sceptical that any existing bands are biodegradable. In practice they’re photosensitive (they break down in light) instead. In waterways they break down into small fragments, so are potentially even more easily ingested by wildlife. In anaerobic landfill they don’t really break down at all.
Loom bands are everywhere – it’s hard to convince children that they are precious. But this is the message we should be trying to convey. Encourage children to store their loose bands in a box as if it they were as precious as a Tiffany necklace. The biggest enemy is your indifference.Loom bands are everywhere – it’s hard to convince children that they are precious. But this is the message we should be trying to convey. Encourage children to store their loose bands in a box as if it they were as precious as a Tiffany necklace. The biggest enemy is your indifference.
Green crushGreen crush
Surfers have always liked to take the ecological high ground (or wave), so it’s particularly irksome when a piece of their kit doesn’t match up. Conventional wetsuits are made from petroleum-based neoprene, which is not a good look. But Patagonia’s R2 and R3 wetsuits are cut from a different cloth – namely 605 Yulex biorubber, made from the desert plant guayule, aka ‘the wonder weed’. It’s exactly the kind of thing which might help with the loom band dilemma. As Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia’s founder, once explained of his need to find eco alternatives: “There is no business to be done on a dead planet.” Surfers have always liked to take the ecological high ground (or wave), so it’s particularly irksome when a piece of their kit doesn’t match up. Conventional wetsuits are made from petroleum-based neoprene, which is not a good look. But Patagonia’s R2 and R3 wetsuits are cut from a different cloth – namely 605 Yulex biorubber, made from the desert plant guayule, aka ‘the wonder weed’. It’s exactly the kind of thing which might help with the loom band dilemma. As Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia’s founder, once explained of his need to find eco alternatives: “There is no business to be done on a dead planet.”
Available in the UK from September, at around £500Available in the UK from September, at around £500
Greenspeak: The Green Blob {∂I gri:n blvb} noun Greenspeak: The Green Blob {∂I gri:n blvb} noun
Coined by the outgoing environment minister, Owen Paterson, to describe what he saw as the self-serving lobby of ‘green’ or environmental organisations which he blamed for his sacking Coined by the outgoing environment minister, Owen Paterson, to describe what he saw as the self-serving lobby of ‘green’ or environmental organisations which he blamed for his sacking