In reply to your correspondent H Devonport (Oxford Mail, October 7), I have met many residents to discuss our new waste and recycling service and find that the vast majority are very much in favour.

With 30,000 more residents across the city getting their new reusable garden waste bags, the transformation of recycling in our city is under way. Lawns across Oxford are having their final cuts of the year, hedges, plants and bushes are being trimmed and our gardens prepared for winter.

But this year the garden waste that results won't be dumped in landfill tips. We will be collecting it for composting and reuse on farm and park land.

And this is just the start.

Before Christmas, some 15,000 homes in Oxford will get new blue recycling boxes. An extra 3,000 green recycling boxes have also been ordered.

More people will recycle more - just as they are doing in neighbouring Cherwell.

They showed how well a fortnightly collection service, like the one we are introducing, will work. The scheme there has a high (85 per cent) residents' satisfaction rating and 93 per cent rate it good value for money.

Evidence from other authorities also tells us that with most waste inside closed bins, there is much less food for rats, foxes or scavenging cats or dogs.

Oxford's extended recycling services are being launched with cross-party support.

We will take our place among the top recycling cities in the country and our environment will be much the better for it.

JEAN FOOKS (Councillor) Executive member for a cleaner city Oxford City Council