I WOULD like to reassure readers about the benefits of fortnightly household waste collections, following J Sanderson's letter (Bin policy causes a big stink, April 14).

The alternate week collections of rubbish, garden waste and recycling have increased the amount of waste recycled and composted in York and reduced the amount of rubbish sent to landfill.

Since the launch of the collections in October 2005, the city's recycling rate has increased by 21 per cent, and now 38 per cent of York's rubbish is recycled and composted.

Problems with flies and other pests during warm weather can be avoided by:

* Wrapping food waste before putting it into your bin.

* Composting uncooked vegetable and fruit waste at home.

* Storing your bin out of direct sunlight.

* Keeping the lid of your bin firmly closed to prevent animals and flies from getting in.

* Storing your bin away from open windows and doors.

Government research shows that there is no risk to human health from this type of collection. By adopting these simple measures we hope residents will find the collections easier to manage.

Geoff Derham, Head of Waste and Cleaning Services, City of York Council.


J SANDERSON has a smelly bin (Bin policy causes a great big stink, Readers' Letters, April 14). Solution: simply seal any waste meat carcasses in a bag so they will not smell and wash out your bin once a week with a hose or bucket of water.

I think the two-weekly collection is here to stay, whether we like it or not.

Bob Waite, Holgate, York.