MANY readers' letters have suggested that to recycle cardboard, wood, and plastics, one must have a car and be prepared to drive to Foss Islands or other waste depots. Having often done so, I offer the following observations about the Foss Islands site.

The skips have recently been re-arranged in a more logical order so cardboard is last, and there is now an extra compost skip near the other recycling skips.

Excellent.

Less satisfactory: there is the space to allow two lanes, a by-pass lane and an unloading lane, plus various unloading lay-bys. These could easily be indicated with paint markings.

The staff do not seem to care if a van blocks both potential lanes.

This unnecessary obstruction of the circuit causes tailbacks onto Foss Islands Road, and discourages well-intentioned recyclers.

I find it less frustrating to take frequent smaller loads by bicycle.

Unfortunately, although I pass the depot several times a week at about 8.15 am, the place is locked until 8.30am.

I am keen to recycle everything possible, at some personal effort. But I do not think the present facilities are anywhere near optimised.

Hugh Barwell,

Fulford Road, York.

Updated: 11:00 Saturday, September 24, 2005