Could you use velcro wire ties? I use them in a couple of spots and they work fine.
As far as rubber bands, I have an enormous rubber band ball. It’s probably got 15,000 rubber bands on it (it’s about the size of a basketball). A friend and I made it over the course of a few months back in college. Since then, I only feel the need to put another layer on every 2-3 years ago when they start to feel dry. Before I was adding to it, I had ignored it for probably 5 or 6 years before I noticed that the ones on the outer layer were starting to dry out and snap.
I don’t think I’ve used any special type of rubber band, but part of it might be that they aren’t being used on a regular basis. Either not taking them off and putting them back on makes a difference or they dry out and lose their stretch but I never notice it.