Recycling not only issue

I think the mooted idea of "bin police" is the product of a ridiculous spoof by a Monty Pythonesque local government and a Spike Milligan vision of a police state.

Yes, we have to recycle to save the planet's resources, but this should be achieved with encouragement, education and co-operation.

Fining people excessively for putting an item in the wrong bin just smacks of extra taxation and will alienate people from the concept of recycling. Who will pay the fines of those on state support? The taxpayers?

I would feel more married to the idea of recycling if councils could realise that there is more to being green than careful waste management and clean streets.

They are neglecting the other half of the climate equation. Trees and green space. It is the trees and green plants which filter toxic car exhaust particles and industrial dust from our town air, which moderate climate and rainfall, which release one of our basic requirements oxygen.

I have noticed how often councils seem reluctant to protect trees and allow developers to fell with impunity despite protests and often despite existing tree preservation orders.

"Half green" councils, those only interested in recycling and not the really green environment, are not effective at safeguarding our planet.

Councils need to have a holistic, positive policy which includes both recycling and planting trees and regenerating the kind of green spaces which offer animals good habitats and humans beauty and interest.

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