Why punish those who use a compost bin?

MY household is one of those not using an authorised waste collection service. Like many others, we made a conscientious decision not to do so. We bought a compost bin, which we use daily.

We refused Cork County Council’s pay-by-weight bin last year and instead opted to use the old one.

When the bag in this bin is full we take it to the amenity centre at Raffeen and pay our €8. We are not burning it in the backyard and we are not disposing of it on the highways and byways. We have been asked to be responsible for the waste we create in our homes, and this we have done.

It now seems we are going to be targeted by the junior minister for the environment who has said he is going to act against the one in four households not using an authorised waste collection service.

Are we now to be penalised for rethinking, reducing, recycling and composting our waste?

I am in a position to do this, unlike many of my elderly neighbours who do not enjoy the luxury of private transport. Would the minister be better employed rolling out the brown bins and giving us the kerbside collection service we have been seeking?

Audrey Hogan

Raheens

Ringaskiddy

Co Cork