I CAN understand the concern felt by large families at the thought of trying to fit two weeks' rubbish into their grey wheelie bin, so may I make a suggestion? Why not make it an excuse to get to know your single neighbours?

I am a single-person household (and an enthusiastic recycler) and it would take me at least four weeks to fill my grey bin. I would be happy to let a neighbour put a bag in my bin.

So make friends with the old lady next door, or the single yuppie down the road. Offer to do them a favour in return, and help make your neighbourhood a friendlier place.

Of course, in the long run, this won't help the council with its re-cycling targets, or save the planet, but it might help avoid overflowing bins and messy pavements while we all get used to re-using, recycling, and avoiding generating so much waste.

Veronica Swinburne

Chantry Close

Westhoughton