Do we really believe smaller bins will “encourage” people to recycle more? With millions having been and still being spent nationwide on the subject of recycling, green thinking and carbon footprints most responsible people now recycle as much as they can – and those who don’t are unlikely to be “encouraged” by having a smaller rubbish container.

Surely if trying to “save the planet” we should also be trying to avoid waste, so what will happen to the very large number of withdrawn and mostly serviceable larger 240-litre bins? Presumably they will be recycled – which is costly, energy consuming and carbon footprint enlarging, as is the production of the new smaller 140-litre bins – which probably now cost more than was paid for the original large ones!

Replace broken or missing bins by all means, even issue the smaller bins to all future new houses if you must, but please don’t spend our money unnecessarily on change for change’s sake.

J Brough, Highfield Road, Cove