Sir – I watched with feigned interest as a young man went about his job emptying rubbish bins and picking up litter.

He opened the bins to remove what little rubbish was there and put it in a larger bag. He crossed the pavement and picked up a paper cup (litter), that some lazy punter had left there on the wall of the Randolph Hotel, and then he carried on up the road to the next bin.

Within seconds of him leaving, a girl put a paper cup on the wall. Apart from giving the man employment what else was gained today?

We as citizens have a responsibility to look after the city ourselves. It is pointless paying someone to empty the rubbish bins if he has to spend half his time picking up litter that should be in the bins. We don’t appreciate those among us who do such thankless tasks.

I suppose I should have pointed out to the girl where to find the rubbish bin.

Rubbish bins are for rubbish. Rubbish becomes litter when we can’t be bothered to put it in the bin.

Maffi, Gunpowder Wharf, Thrupp