Congratulations on your recent story Moving rubbish mountains'.

The volume of rubbish must be reduced, not only to save our council's huge costs (the landfill tax is bound to rise) and residents' rates but because of the adverse environmental impact. A reduction in waste is urgently required.

We could have a civic initiative. The council should encourage a brainstorming meeting where people could air their ideas of how to reduce, and where sensible, recycle, our Mount Everest of waste.

Supermarkets and other retailers should follow Sainsbury's example by making small charitable contributions for every re-used plastic shopping bag. Thousands of these bags litter our streets and open spaces. Such a gesture would remind us to be economical with natural resources.

The practice of popping almost every small purchase already encased in packaging into another bag should be resisted by shopkeepers and customers.

Many homes, even self-contained houses, still do not recycle paper, tins and white, brown and green glass.

A simple bag holder might help as a tactful approach to those who have not joined in recycling.

One observes how sacks are unavoidably hurled into refuse vehicles. How many bags burst thereby frustrating the efforts of thoughtful residents? The Borough News could award a prize for the best suggestions.

MARTIN SIMONS

Granard Avenue

SW15

November 12, 2001 12:32