• MUCH jargon from Councillor Gary Heather to state the obvious: that Islington needs “to substantially increase [its] recycling rates”, (We need a paradigm shift to reduce waste and improve recycling, January 21).

A first step would be household collection of the following everyday items: mercury-filled light bulbs; unreusable textiles; and small electricals such as cables.

With no simple means for residents currently to dispose of these, they are likely to be bagged up with the weekly rubbish.

The Finsbury Park ward elected member has conspicuously failed to answer – as has the executive member for environment and transport, Councillor Rowena Champion, when separately asked the same question – how the Heather household manages these matters.

Fewer than 30 per cent of Islington households own or have access to a private car, yet even those residents able to visit the Hornsey Street recycling centre on foot or by bike will be unable to deposit these simple items confident that they’ll be separated from the rubbish heading for landfill. While there’s a facility for the light bulbs, it’s accessible only by vehicle!

While “implor[ing] readers to work with the council… to increase recycling rates”, it’s clear it is the council that should be working with residents.

May’s local election is ever closer. If Cllr Heather wishes to become an executive member for recycling / environment, he will have to try harder.

MEG HOWARTH
Ellington Street, N7