James Patrick, of East Street, Bovey Tracey, writes:

I wrote recently to Teignbridge Council asking if I should put black plastic in the recycle box, and below is the reply from Sarah Margetts dated March 5.

‘Some black plastic that is sent to the reprocessor for recycling cannot be detected as plastic and is therefore rejected at the reprocessing plant. There are companies developing new technology to solve this so hopefully in the future this will not be an issue. In the meantime, however, this plastic would need to be disposed of in your black bin for general waste which is then sent to energy from waste. Or better still if you are able to avoid purchasing products which use this type of packaging then this reduces waste.’

I wonder therefore why the council’s Recycling and Waste guide says, ‘Please rinse plastic packaging and tins before recycling.’ and doesn’t qualify this over black plastic; maybe someone at the council has a sense of humour?

Over the years since this guidance was issued I expect that many thousands of hours have been spent by the responsible people of Teignbridge in diligently putting a sparkle on their black plastic, only for it to be ignobly dumped in landfill. Now I know better I will find something better to do with my free time.

It seems to me that the dump is actually upon us: and what reward do we get? Not even a pair of rubber gloves!