Sir – May I point out that Mr Ryan from Viridor (Report, January 7) is basing his argument on policies which were put forward ten years ago.

This year, 2010, the council is reviewing its waste strategy and its present thinking puts incineration as a means of waste disposal at the bottom of its list of priorities.

I would, therefore, suggest that the council investigates other more environmentally friendly methods of waste disposal other than incineration, such as mechanical biological treatment (MBT) and anaerobic digestion (AD) and makes greater efforts to improve recycling rates.

I also notice that earlier this month, Surrey County Council dropped plans for two controversial incinerators, a major reason being that quantities of waste arising in the county had fallen significantly, presumably to a point where the scale (and investment levels required) of the two facilities is no longer viable.

Surrey is now directing its efforts to waste minimisation, increasing recycling and treating food waste using anaerobic digestion.

With recycling rates already hitting 70 per cent in South Oxfordshire and South Oxfordshire’s waste collection policies due to be rolled out in other districts — combined with lower volumes of waste and the council introducing new composting facilities for food waste around the county, I can only assume Oxfordshire is very close to a similar tipping point.

Pamela Vivian, Sutton Courtenay