I AM writing about the controversial subject of the current recycling waste system in Wyre Forest.

I recently visited my brother in Australia and was completely amazed at the efficiency of their recycling system - and how much they actually recycle.

They have a weekly bin collection, which collects both rubbish and recyclable waste. They have a large green wheelie bin (a similar size to our normal wheelie bins) for the recyclable waste and a smaller grey wheelie bin (a similar size to our small wheelie bins) for rubbish. This is because they recycle far more materials than they throw away. If anyone thinks about our current bins and recycling boxes I'm sure they will see the differences between the systems.

Besides the fact that Australians are more environmentally aware than us, they also recycle more waste because their councils actually recycle more than two types of plastic!

I wonder if any of your readers have also noticed that our council will only recycle HDPE and PET plastics with the numbers 1 and 2 displayed. I find this completely ridiculous.

Why can we only recycle two types of plastic when manufacturers have obviously taken the matter of recycling seriously and have put the recycling symbol on any plastic, which can be recycled?

Even if we cannot easily recycle plastics other than HDPE or PET, would it not be in the best interest of the economy and environment to collect all other plastics and transport them abroad where they can and do use or recycle them?

If this is not a viable option and the council insist on putting these other plastics into landfill areas, could they not collect them and crush them all together, saving valuable space in these landfill sites?

Their argument would probably be the usual excuse of lack of money within the council. But I'm sure if they sat down and worked it all out properly they could find some funds from somewhere.

NICOLA WEBB

Kidderminster

(Full address supplied)