SIR - J W Pedley (Letters, January 17), makes a good point with regard to the waste created in the manufacture of wheelie bins as opposed to plastic sacks. However, a wheelie bin can be expected to last at least 15 to 20 years, by which time the average household would have used and discarded about three to four thousand bags. Over time, the environmental costs of making the bags will surely outweigh the costs of the bins.

N WINTER,

Worceste