Bulk and presort rate mail was packaged in 10 letter units, and wrapped with rubber bands. This resulted in USPS (which has half the mail in the world, and virtually ALL of the direct mail advertising) using most of the rubberbands in the world.
In fact, entire rubber band factories were built for the sole purpose of providing sufficient rubber bands to USPS.
The number "scrapped" each year could be deduced quite readily. I vaguely recall a statistician friend of mine doing that but I don't remember how many it was.
I think you should use an example better in tune with the purpose you are attempting to serve. Rubber bands ain't it.
Well, what I really want to know, scientifically of course, is how many of McNamara's bricks were discarded, and how thick is each one.