Sir – Pamela Vivian is exactly to the point in indicating that incineration of waste is a dead policy, especially given recently improved rates of recycling (Letters, January 28). I would add that incineration is a ridiculous waste of resources.

It is known that claims for energy efficiency from such processes are risible. Those of us who endured resource deprivations immediately post-Second World War know that re-using materials of all kinds makes thorough economic sense. What idiocy to burn them!

Fortunately some of Oxfordshire’s local district councils are taking the challenge seriously and demonstrating impressive recycling achievements.

I suspect that those members of Oxfordshire County Council cabinet who are still considering burning waste as an appropriate treatment of this problem are rather too young to know what they are talking about! They are of the ‘effluent’ and ‘built-in obsolescence’ generation who have been bamboozled by clever marketing campaigns aimed at creating desire for superfluous and over packaged products — never mind the consequences.

They are a lost generation when it comes to sustainability. Fortunately, younger generations, as well as the pensioners I allude to, are not so beguiled.

I suggest that those county councillors who still think waste incineration is a way forward check out the views of both their older and younger constituents. They may learn something profitable.

Dr P. Amos-Wilson, Sutton Courtenay