Sir - Isabel Pack (Letters, May 25) is right to say that making extra recycling bins and boxes available does help improve recycling rates. It is a vital part of any successful scheme. But it is not enough, on its own, to encourage everyone to do as much as they can to recycle.

As I said in my earlier letter, before our new scheme was introduced in Oxford, everyone had a green box and so could recycle, but only 50 per cent of homes actually did.

We'll soon have the new figures for Oxford, but the experience of councils who've introduced similar schemes suggests that we can expect between 85 and 90 per cent of homes will be doing some recycling.

It is clear that it is the fortnightly collection that makes the difference because it means every one of us now has to think about what we throw away.

This is backed up by new research commissioned by the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership. There are lots of opportunities for people to recycle countywide, yet we still throw away more than we need to. Nearly a quarter (22.9 per cent) of the waste that gets thrown away in Oxfordshire could have been recycled using the schemes provided now by local councils. But in Cherwell, which has fortnightly collection, that figure is as low as 10.5 per cent.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind your correspondent and any of your other readers in Oxford who would like to recycle more, that they can ask for a second free blue box or order a blue wheelie bin. I'm also happy to send one of our field officers round to visit if they feel they need extra advice or help with the scheme.

Philip Dunsdon, Interim Business Manager, City Works, Oxford City Council