Letter: Wheelie good for improving recycling rates

SIR – Before moving here I lived near Banbury, which is ruled by Cherwell District Council (CDC). It had recycled badly. However, after wheelie bins were introduced, CDC jumped up the recycling table.

Grumblers grabbed the chance when the announcement was made, as occurs before many changes. However, once the wheelie bins were being used, the overall benefits were clear for me and my neighbours.

A “mechanised arm" quickly lifted the wheelie bins two at a time into the CDC’s vehicle. Such mechanised lifting minimised the strain on the backs and arms of the CDC’s operatives. Health and safety must approve.

After the introduction of wheelie bins, one entrepreneur saw a business opportunity. For a fee, he cleaned the bins for those who wanted this service.

A few years later, I spotted another such operator. On being asked if something had happened to the first firm, the rival operator snarled: “He’s still around. But he came on my territory. So, I’ve come on his territory.” Capitalism at work.

It may be unrelated, but the first operator soon moved away.

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