First, I actually like Wikki Stix.  And, the kids like Wikki Stix.  We’ve used them many times.  And, they’re not paying me anything to say that.

For those who don’t know what they are, Wikki Stix are roughly footlong wax covered string.  I’m not sure they would describe them quite that way, but it gets the point across.  You twist and push them into each other to connect them to make 3D things.  Or, they stick to paper for 2D art.

We got a pack for home recently that included this two-sided note.

The ONLY thing on this list that might work well is the first bullet about jar and bottle opening.  But, the jar lid has to be pretty small to get enough of a grip and it might well just slide off.

I have never had a Wikki Stix stick well enough to hold watches, jewelry, or eyeglasses together.  Those items need to go in a secure pocket until they can be repaired properly.  A Wikki Stix will give you a false sense of security and probably result in a lost item.

My personal pet peeve was bullet 3 – sports equipment.  If the grip is wearing out on your tennis racket/golf club/hockey stick/or other item with a replaceable grip, please do not use a Wikki Stix.  It will not hold and then you will have a projectile which could be causing more damage.  Just set it aside until it can be regripped or replaced.

Lumping bullets 4, 5, 6, and 9 together, Wikki Stix are not nearly sticky enough to secure anything, fetch something from out of reach (let alone when a little dust enters the picture), or organize metal objects.  Maybe they are much stickier when they leave the factory.  But, they are not that sticky when one first opens the package and they get less stick as they age.

Finally, the around the house and holiday categories are a mixed bag.  Yes, they do stick to paper, but probably not long enough to trust an important date on a wall calendar to one.  Gravity will likely win.  Using them as twist ties seems sketchy at best.  Securing a candle might work.  And, as for wine glass identification, it is better than nothing.

But, I think the real point here is that this list goes overboard in the name of Recycling.  It gives Recycling a bad name because it tries so hard to come up with obviously flawed ways to avoid throwing Wikki Stix away.  “If the kids have outgrown their Wikki Stix” (and they are actually still sticky, of reasonable length, and reasonably straight), offer them to another family or preschool program.  Attempting to do anything on the Recycling note will only result in frustration.

I think its too bad Wikki Stix feels a need to include such a note with their product.  Some products should be reused/recycled.  Some products should be replaced with reuseable/recycleable alternatives.  But Wikki Stix are comparable to play dough.  When they’re done they’re done and one shouldn’t feel bad about letting go.