Sir, – It was with some amusement that I read the comments of the portfolio holder for the environment about the recent members' trial of the fortnightly waste collection. Apparently, there have been no problems whatsoever and I am enthralled with the whole process and only disappointed that I have to go back to the old system! Let me make it clear that I agree with reducing waste and recycling materials and we took part in the trial with true dedication. However, to suggest that it raised no problems would be absurd in the extreme. For most of the trial there were only two adults in our house. We have ample covered space for storing and filling boxes and are reasonably fit and active The main issues that arose were a much increased use of water, as a result of rinsing rubbish to be stored for a fortnight, difficulty in separating plastics, full newspaper boxes, that were too heavy to be carried and pungent smells, despite wrapping items in lots of newspaper and the fact that the trial took place during cold weather. The size of bin was, on occasions, inadequate for two weeks' rubbish and we resorted to burning some items and taking others to the dump. Unlike many, we had both the space and time to do this. My point is that, if we experienced difficulties, how much worse will they be for large families, people, who are not physically fit and those with limited space? I write this on the day that a resident of Hinckley in Leicestershire has been threatened with a fine for filling a waste-paper bin with household rubbish! Many Waverley residents may well have to follow suit! I agree with the recent letterwriter, who said that the borough, as a whole, is currently awash with litter and unsightly rubbish containers and the new arrangements could well add to the problem. It will not be enough to whistle a happy tune and hope that the bad things will go away. At some point, the reality of the situation will have to be faced and positive action taken. Dramatic gestures in the council chamber will simply not be enough to make that lingering smell of two-week-old cooked sprouts disappear. Carole Cockburn, Pine Ridge Drive, Lower Bourne