Rubber bands will last much longer when they are refrigerated. When a rubber band is placed in the fridge, it causes the polymers to relax. This keeps the band from breaking down as fast as it normally does.
100 Mind-Blowing Polymers Facts
Refrigerated rubber bands last longer. When a rubber band is placed inside the fridge, the polymers in the band will become more relaxed. However, when the rubber bands are exposed to warmer conditions, the polymers in the band will tighten and cause it to break more easily.