A Government white paper in 1990 set a target to recycle at least 25 per cent of household waste by 2000.

Estimates at that time revealed that up to 50 to 60 per cent by weight of household waste consists of recyclable materials. There were no figures or targets for the much larger waste streams from agriculture, construction and demolition debris.

We have much to learn from what is happening in other European countries, Germany in particular, as their recycling rates are considerably higher than in the UK.

One particular difference is in packaging. In Germany and France it is the responsibility of manufacturers and retailers to dispose of the packaging.

Croydon has categorised household waste. There is a charge to dispose of some items of household waste, resulting in fly-tipping, which is largely ignored if it is on private property.

With this policy 11 per cent of current recycling is exaggerated and is encouraging people to dump.

Croydon should be in a position to be a leader in recycling. But its policies and lack of research is slowly generating a slum behind the up-market image it likes to project.

Brian Ardron
London Road
Norbury