In response to John Nightingale (Letters, July 30), one of City of York Council's main aims is to reduce the amount of waste we produce. By reducing the frequency of the grey refuse bin collections, we will all be encouraged to manage our waste in a more sustainable way, re-using items wherever possible and reducing the amount of waste we produce in the first place by thinking before we buy excessively packaged items.

The introduction of the garden waste collections in October will play a key role in reducing the amount of waste we produce because it will see materials such as grass cuttings, leaves, branches, dead plants, animal bedding and hedge trimmings collected separately and composted, rather than being needlessly dumped in landfill sites. This type of green waste currently makes up around one third of the contents of the average household rubbish bin, so our grey refuse bins should not get full so quickly when the new collections start.

The existing kerbside recycling scheme and facilities available at the council's Household Waste Recycling Centres also provide opportunities for local residents to recycle their rubbish.

Home composting is a great way of disposing of everything from tea bags and egg shells to fruit and vegetable peelings and the end product can be used as a soil conditioner in the garden. The council offers cut-price compost bins to help people to get them started.

Anyone who wants more information about waste collections, recycling facilities or minimising waste can call the York Pride Action Line on 551551. The team will also be happy to offer practical help and advice to anyone who experiences difficulties fitting rubbish into their refuse bin when the new fortnightly collection rota begins.

Elizabeth Wray,

Waste Service Project Officer,

City of York Council,

Blake Street,

York.

Updated: 10:27 Monday, August 15, 2005