Shouldn’t our council be doing everything it can to make sure we, as residents, recycle as much as we can?

It is therefore very disappointing the Lib/Lab/Independent coalition who run Colchester Council is imposing a change in the domestic waste recycling rules.

They require residents to put more plastic in with the general waste, our black bags and wheelie bins, which will not be recycled.

Rubbish collection and recycling is the one issue that impacts on every home.

We can choose whether we use other council services, but waste collection and recycling affects everyone.

If the waste collection service refuses to collect our plastic waste for recycling because it includes an item of the wrong type of plastic, who will decide whether the disputed item is thick film or thin recyclable plastic sheet.

Who will decide whether plastic is soft enough to go into recycling, or a bit too hard and should go into general waste for landfill?

How will the refuse collectors spot it? How will they spot a small piece of clear cling film in a bag of plastic? How will they have the time?

They are put under extreme pressure to complete their rounds within a four day week, which was implemented by this council, and this puts extra pressure on them.

I know from personal experience within my own household that recycling can be very stressful, but we do our best.

To start inspecting every piece of plastic to decide if it is the type that should be recycling, or is the type that in future will be put in general waste, just increases that stress.

Many residents won’t bother. It doesn’t take much for some to even give up on recycling when it is made difficult for them.

And where will this extra unrecycled plastic go?

If you’re already up to capacity in your general recycling wheelie bin or three black bags, will it be flytipped?

At the heart of this decision by the council is the price paid for recycled plastic on the open market.

A lower price is paid for plastic waste that includes plastic film and hard plastics.

Surely the important issue is not how much money is receiving for our recycling, but rather how easy is it for us to recycle and preserve the long-term environment of the the town, country and planet.

Keep it simple and we will do it.

Cllr Sue Lissimore

Conservative borough councillor for Prettygate ward

Essex County Councillor for Drury division