TWO matters. First, the scandal of the NHS "no-showers". These thoughtless people should have to fork out, say £10, for missing their appointment without reasonable notification.

They can't be that bad if they just forget they have a medical appointment.

Maybe being hit in the pocket would improve their memory.

Second, household/garden refuse collections. The principle is good, it's the frequency with which the council intends to make the garden collection that is the problem.

It is not necessary to be taken every two weeks. Once a month would suffice for most people.

It seems our hard-earned and excessive council tax will be used to pay for the refuse collectors to drive around every fortnight in their big, expensive vehicles to collect practically nothing for most of the year.

As for recycling waste materials, I have written on this subject before, stating all our papers, cans, glass and foil are personally taken to the recycling centre at Asda and all the plastic containers are taken to a relative's home where they are collected.

Why does the council not include plastic in its recycling programme?

We, the council tax-paying householders, are being penalised for the excess packaging created by manufacturers and retailers.

I don't buy peppers capsicum in a certain supermarket any more because suddenly, they started putting a single one in sealed plastic. Why?

Perhaps we should start unwrapping everything once it's been paid for and depositing it at the store for them to dispose of.

Maybe then they would think twice about what they are doing.

Janet S Kitchen,

Ashley Park Road, York.

Updated: 10:03 Monday, August 29, 2005