I APPLAUD Malvern Hills District Council's efforts to increase recycling but could we look not at the resulting excess of matter to be recycled, but at its prevention.

The packaging industry seems very keen that their own particular goods should be prominent - in size as well as colour. I recently bought a pair of shoelaces which folded to about 3"-4" in length. These were inside a plastic bubble attached to a piece of card at least twice as long as the bubble, all quite in excess of what was really needed. And when you have films developed, the photographs again are in large boxes whereas the previous folders were quite adequate.

MRS J H VIVIAN, Worcester Road, Malvern.