Abstract: The present invention provides a banding system, banding tape and method of using the same, each of which is particularly useful a variety of items such as flowers, straws, pens, pencils, newspapers, and vegetables. The banding system comprises a first strip and second strip. The first strip comprises an elastic polymeric material having a percent recovery of at least 50% after being elongated to 100% of its original length. The first and second strips are capable of being bonded together. The banding tape comprises a strip of elastic polymeric material having inner and outer surfaces and a nontacky layer on at least a portion of at least one of the surfaces. The method of using the banding system or tape of the invention comprises the steps of collecting one or more objects into a bundle, wrapping, stretching and securing the system or tape around the bundle, and allowing the elastic strip to at least partially recover to exert a compressive force on the bundle which holds the bundle together.