Madam, I applaud Hereford-shire Council's valiant effort to reach the Government's targets for recycling household rubbish.

However, they have neglected certain facts of life:

1) Most households do not recycle rubbish. Getting them to do so by introducing a not very comprehensive scheme overnight is a tall order;

2) Collections will be made fortnightly. Most households will produce over and above what can be allowed for in the bags provided. So people will either put any excess in with the regular rubbish or use non-regulation bags/containers on the fortnightly collection and hope they will be taken away with the rest.

3) Only certain recyclables will be collected, so what will people do with rubbish that cannot be accommodated except put it out with the regular rubbish, in the hope it will be taken which of course it won't and will be left lying around.

Some are putting anything out for the dustmen: old three-piece suites, carpets, bedding, unflattened cardboard boxes, and waste food - an open invitation for cats, dogs and foxes.

If the council believes people who do this are going to change their habits then they are sadly mistaken, disillusioned or both!

I have been recycling my household rubbish for several years. Admittedly, it was a bit of a nuisance at first, but I was determined to help the environment. Once I got organised I found it just as easy to throw a bottle or can into a separate container as to throw it in the bin.

All recyclable rubbish should be collected so people without transport would be catered for.

Collections should be made weekly so rubbish does not build up, especially on the streets.

This will not be easy - nothing worthwhile ever is, but it's got to be easier than relying on people not to abuse this important, essential and ultimately life enhancing scheme.

E J Farley,

Barrs Court Road, Hereford.