FURTHER to Karen Francis' letter, there are other items in the Bolton Evening News report on recycling (January 8) which need querying.

Mrs Ellison was putting soap powder boxes (ie cardboard) in her waste paper sack, despite the fact that cardboard is prohibited, according to the printing on the sack.

It was also mentioned that margarine tubs and baked bean tins could go in the green box, even though the issued instructions prohibit plastic food containers and food cans. If prohibited items are included in the recycling containers, these have to be separated after collection and it is costly to do this.

Recycling is a very expensive business involving the purchase of containers, extra collection vehicles and the employment of additional staff, all at the expense of the council taxpayer. Some people believe that recycling is beneficial, while others do it for the "feel good" factor, but it is debatable whether our minute efforts on earth will have any effect on what the power above will determine for the future of the universe.

If it is to continue, however, it is unacceptable that the scheme should be voluntary, so that those who take the time and trouble to sort their refuse have to subsidise those who cannot be bothered to do so. The latter are costing us all to pay more council tax and should be charged to cover the cost of separating their refuse.

The Bolton Evening News report confirmed my opinion that there is a lot of muddled thinking in the council's recycling office, and among householders, as to what can and cannot be recycled. It is high time that the council issued every household with an up-to-date list of what can be recycled. It would also help the public to appreciate and follow the rules if an explanation could be given as to why certain items should not be put in the containers and paper sacks. For example, why are envelopes not acceptable in the paper sacks?

(Name and address supplied)