Madam, - On the matter of waste in our society much attention is given to where it is to go to - for incineration, landfill, recycling or just dumping.
Do we ask where does it all come from? I know a lot of my rubbish is packaging from the things I buy, and much of it is unnecessary.
In your Editorial of January 10th you speak of the need for "schemes and incentives". If a group of shoppers were to band together after paying for their purchases to remove all the surplus wrapping and leave it at the supermarket or shop, I reckon the message would soon reach back to the firms who so busily over-wrap with plastic and cellophane.
As consumers we pay for this packaging and we pay again to get rid of it. The cost is not only in money - our current avalanche of waste is despoiling and damaging our dear planet - and it's the only one we've got. - Yours, etc,
MAUREEN WILLIS, Redford, Greystones, Co Wicklow.
A chara, - Recently at two separate retail outlets, one in Cavan and the other in Meath, my small purchases were placed in and handed to me in a total of four plastic bags without my having been charged the usual 15 cent per bag.
I wonder has anybody else experienced this. There also seems to be a renewed proliferation of plastic bags hanging from and along the hedgerows and fences throughout the countryside.
Is it time for the Minister to renew the plastic bag levy? Could I suggest that it be increased to at least one euro? - Is mise,
SEÁN Ó RIAIN, Gort An tSeagail, Achadh An Iúir, Contae an Chabháin.