AT last the council lifts its head above the parapet to enlighten us on how cost effective they say recycling is (January 23).

I would like to respond to Mr Fisher's letter by stating that at no time was there any suggestion that the recycled waste was being taken to inappropriate markets.

My comments were regarding why Bolton Council was not recycling its own waste rather than transporting it to Darwen, after all did Bolton not purchase two recycling vehicles last year that were bought to separate glass and plastic?

Regarding his comment about the revenue Bolton Council receives for the recycled waste, I wonder if Mr Fisher would like to answer the following questions?

1. What is the total cost per ton including labour for transporting the waste to Darwen?

2. How much per ton does Bolton Council receive from the company?

3. What is the open market price for recyclable plastic and glass?

4. Have any glass/plastic recycling companies been contacted to provide a similar service to that being offered by paper chase?

5. Are recycling teams and others working on a task and finish system?

Once the above questions are answered the people of Bolton will be in a better position to establish if recycling is value for money.

The comment about the more we recycle the less Bolton pays to GMWDA is inaccurate as I believe we were charged an additional £1m for landfill for the year 2004/05 and are facing a similar increase this financial year.

If Raikes Lane are recycling between 35-50 per cent and domestic recycling is approximately 35 per cent how can this comment be correct?

I am led to believe that the increases are because Bolton is tied into a contract with GMWDA based on population rather than tonnage until 2007.

B J Griffith

Springfield Road

Sharples