IT would be helpful to answer some of the questions and concerns raised by local residents in recent letters regarding plans to provide a green waste collection for 60,000 homes in the city.

We are confident that households that separate their waste for recycling and composting will have ample room to store all of their rubbish until collection day. This can be achieved by ensuring that all paper, glass and cans are put in the kerbside recycling box and bag, and all garden waste goes into the new green bin. This means that the amount of rubbish in the existing grey refuse bin will be drastically reduced.

We will, of course, be happy to help and advise households encountering difficulties with this, and it is worth pointing out that families of five or more will be able to apply for a larger wheeled bin if they need to.

Anyone concerned about odour or pest problems, particularly during spells of warmer weather, can follow a few simple steps to reduce the risk:

Wrap food waste before putting it into the bin

Store your bin out of direct sunlight

Keep the lid of your bin firmly closed

Tie all rubbish bags tightly

Make sure that you never leave any food uncovered as flies can lay eggs on it before it goes in the bin.

Anyone with concerns or questions about any aspect of the proposed scheme is welcome to call the council on (01904) 551551.

Sara Goodhead,

Waste development assistant,

City of York Council,

St Leonard's Place,

York.

Updated: 09:51 Saturday, May 21, 2005