I AM writing in response to the letter from John Davis (Rubbish Idea, News Shopper, May 28), in which he refers to the wheelie bins the council is distributing free of charge to residents as part of the roll-out of the new enhanced recycling service.

He correctly observed some residents already have their own wheelie bin and went on to ask: "I am sure this exercise was costly to the borough and to council tax payers.

"Would it not have been more prudent to have ascertained from each household whether they already had a wheelie bin and would not, therefore, require a new bin?"

The answer is we are doing precisely that. The wheelie bins are being distributed in phases across the borough, and several weeks before the delivery in each area, residents are being written to informing them of the changes, and offering them options on what sort of bin they require.

If they already have a wheelie bin, they have the option of a free home composter or having no bin at all.

If Mr Davis has mislaid his consultation leaflet but would like to write to me at Bexley Civic Offices, I would be very pleased to provide him with a replacement.

COUNCILLOR GARETH BACON, cabinet member for the environment