WITH the emphasis on recycling more and reducing amounts of plastic waste, I felt compelled to write to explain my current situation with the council’s recycling service and the advice given to me.


I’ve been waiting for a replacement food caddy recycling bin for four weeks, together with the black bins for bottles and cardboard (the maximum period stated on my response from ordering) and have been advised that it is now taking six weeks for them to be delivered.


In the meantime, I’ve been advised by the council to double bag my food waste and put it in the brown bin. 


This totally defeats the whole objective of the council’s aim to increase recycling rates, plus goes against the worldwide aim to reduce the amount of plastic (especially bags) in the environment.


I even offered to go and collect the replacement bins, but they are ‘outsourced’ to a company that we cannot get to. 


The frustrating part of this is the reason I’m having to replace the bin in the first place is due to the refuse collection staff throwing the boxes down and breaking them. 


What do I do with the broken plastic boxes? 


Put them in the brown bin also for them to go into more toxic landfill sites? 


I’m doing my part for the council’s targets and the environment – I don’t feel that the council are – other than increasing taxes and lowering services.


Ms T Harris, 
St Helens