Letter: People's perception of wheelies bins is wrong

SIR – Anne Dow may rest her case (Another wheelie bin black mark – Letters, 27th August) but I won't.

A lot of hard work has been done by New Forest District Council into the introduction of a refuse and recycling policy which is fit for the future.

This has been led, I believe, by a government intervention which promotes an increase in recycling rates.

We live in a changed and changing society where the health needs of all, including the refuse collectors, is paramount.

What I have seen happening with seagulls and magpies in New Milton and Barton was appalling and has been rectified recently because black bags have been picked up from each house, not left for four hours in heaps on the kerbside.

This is not seen by residents in the Forest boundary, but in suburban streets nearer the sea it has been like a third world country.

The garden waste collection was suspended due to a shortage of manpower and the black sack collection obviously takes priority.

I have lived for 25 years with wheeled bins in East Sussex.

When they were introduced there were no more seagulls divebombing people and human detritus lying in streets.

I think people's perception of wheeled bins is wrong.

You contain your waste in your kitchen or wherever, tie off the bag and throw it in wheelie. No one ever used wheelie bin liners and the bins were not soiled.

Think wider, especially for those who generate more waste than us retired, less busy people.

In the end, we all have a choice. Just say you don't want a wheeled bin.

Also it would help if people would stop feeding the seagulls – please!

Shirley Macey,
New Milton