AIBU to see the loom band craze as just more plastic waste to end on beaches and land fill

[Barbierella]

AIBU to not be able to see anything about loom bands except the fact they will be adding more tiny bits of plastic all over the planet for land fill and birds to choke on.

Yes I know there are bigger environmental issues so am I just being a total grump or does anyone else feel like this.

I had never considered this OP all I know is that they are clogging up my Hoover and found some trapped in the washing machine filter the other day. Other than this I am happy that my DCs are doing something creative and not watching tv or playing on computer games.

there is a nuclear power station less than 25 miles down the coast from me. I'm much more concerned about the effects from that and the nuclear waste produced. Loom bands are positively benign by contrast.

Yanbu

I have three girls and have no loom bands (okay we have a couple of pre-made ones from the school fete but no kits), I'm more worried about my puppy choking but I agree it's yet more plastic tat we really don't need!

YANBU. I have been teaching my DD to make proper macrame friendship bracelets as we did in the past!

They are FAR prettier and biodegradable. More skill is required but they're much more impressive.

So that's what they are! I'd never heard of them until today when I found a handwritten sign stuck to my gate instructing people to go the the houses behind mine as there were 'looms for sale'

Totally agree. But such is the life of such trends..

They have been banned at my DC's school except at playtime, therefore the children aren't allowed to wear them in lessons because "they don't look smart". That's fine, except that the teachers are wearing them.

daisychain01: "Oh great, now Ive heard it all, its employment for poor overseas workers. Aren't we such wonderful people, they should count themselves lucky! About £1 a day, great!"

There are very many parts of the world where earning £1 per day (in a loom band sweatshop or similar) will feed a family who would otherwise have to starve or beg or steal or scavenge.

Perhaps someone would like to suggest a practicable alternative.

They don't earn a £1 a day, it's more around 30 p.

That's why children are employed and not adults.

Another problem with the production of plastics etc, is not only the general pollution, which has an effect on health, but at least six rivers, which provided water and fish etc have been poisoned by the disposal if by products from the manufacturing process, they can't dump sitectly but there are enough loop holes.

So them the population has to work to pay for water, or washing facilities.

Urbane I don't support the belief that sweatshops and child labour can ever be considered as acceptable; the alternative should be as a pp alluded to above, some dignified way of sustainability such as having a small-holding with livestock, space for growing to satisfy the family's or village needs. Being victim to western greed by making plastic products for 15 hours a day is a nightmare and IMHO shouldn't even be considered as viable "employment for poor overseas workers".

Birdsgottafly yes you are probably right - more like 30p a day

urbane ^There are very many parts of the world where earning £1 per day (in a loom band sweatshop or similar) will feed a family who would otherwise have to starve or beg or steal or scavenge.

Perhaps someone would like to suggest a practicable alternative.^

the solution is people in the west giving a shit. there is nothing inevitable about this type of exploitation.