I refer to John Power's letter (Oxford Mail, December 18) about the cost involved in the 'current scheme' as opposed to the 'old scheme' for the collection of waste in Oxford.

It appears he is trying to make cheap, local political points without addressing the core issue on the matter of waste disposal in this country.

He does not address the Catch 22' situation in which councils now find themselves, in the light of the European directive of 1999 on waste disposal This aims to reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal waste, such as food, vegetation and paper disposed of in landfill sites, thereby protecting the air and ground/surface water quality for the health of its citizens.

On the Government's admission, "there is a significant risk that the targets laid down in the directive will not be met and failure to do so could result in the UK incurring significant fines for non-compliance".

The Prime Minister's strategy unit suggests that the UK could be fined up to £180m a year.

This, of course, will be paid by the Government passing the buck to councils and threatening to fine them for not reducing such waste from their areas.

Local authorities will then pay any fine imposed on them by passing it on to council taxpayers.

It is, therefore, surely in the interests of one and all that councils should look to minimise the use of landfill sites and look at alternatives.

We, in turn, should do our bit to reduce household waste for the sake of our children's children.

Let's face it - the effects of a damaged environment will know no boundaries!

I have watched bemused over the last few years by the letters in your column on the subject of "disposal of waste in Oxford".

Living in an area where the district council has got its act together on the subject of recycling and the disposal of waste (and is looking to do more in the near future), I view the matter of waste disposal in Oxford with some disbelief.

KEN JONES, Fernhill Road, Begbroke