THANK you for highlighting the steps the city council is taking to improve recycling in Oxford (November 11). This year we have only had to fine six people for not putting their rubbish out properly.

But we have issued 1,730 notices reminding residents to put recycling in the blue bin, only mixed waste (which cannot be recycled) in the green wheelie, and food waste in the caddy. Thankfully nearly everyone has done the right thing after this reminder. The fine incidentally is £60.

From now on the city council will be even more ready to put a warning letter through the door of householders who are still not taking recycling seriously. Last year we only managed to recycle 44 per cent of our waste and we would like to achieve 50 per cent. We are insisting for the first time that all landlords provide improved recycling facilities for the one-in-five people in our city who live in flats. The council wants to make sure, for example, that at least half the capacity in the bin areas is for recycling. In the new year this will be compulsory for all flats.

The next step is to make it possible for flat dwellers to recycle their thrown-away food too. Waste food makes up a quarter or more of our rubbish and in landfill produces harmful methane. When we collect food waste we send it to local facilities to turn it safely into electricity and compost.

But with the continuing deep cuts in government grant to local councils, food waste collections for most flats still seems a far-off dream. Meanwhile we can all do that little bit more to push up Oxford’s recycling rate.

JOHN TANNER (Labour Cllr), Board Member for a Cleaner, Greener Oxford City Councillor for Littlemore & County Councillor for Isis