Smart, cost-effective solution to food scrap collection
If [Auckland] Council believes it can charge $67 for food waste collection that a large number of residents will never use, it is even more dysfunctional than one can imagine. Use technology to fund rubbish collection. One option could be similar to number plate recognition for road tolls. Put barcodes on all council bins. Install readers on collection trucks. Have a prepaid account for each set of bins. Deduct a fee for each collection. Automatic top-up. Management could then focus on collection efficiencies. Rubbish costs would be deleted from the general rates “slush fund”. To those who say there is no money to prepay, I say it takes money to create rubbish, so budget accordingly. Derek Paterson, Sunnyhills
Reduced to table scraps
The Auckland Council plans to charge all households for food scrap collections. The equation is simple: more money extracted from the ratepayer equals less food on the table, which equals fewer scraps. Peter Culpan, Te Atatu Peninsula
Hyped up gizmos
An inventor in Scotland has developed a gadget called the BinDayCator, which glows in the colour of the garbage bin that needs to go out and indicates the day — for us always Wednesday and red for rubbish, yellow for recycling and green for garden waste, which is the easy one to remember. I can colour in the calendar or go modern and put a repeating reminder on my phone calendar, but generally I just look to see what my neighbours have done. There are many great discoveries to be made and devices to build but I think this one can go in the recycle bin. The developer is, however, also working on a similar idea to help people remember what pills to take — that would be useful. Take the hype out of apps and gadgets and we will have useful devices becoming available. Dennis Fitzgerald, Australia
Police behaving badly
Once again, police have been found to be acting illegally; the most recent incident the unlawful search of the Wellington home of Nicky Hager. It appears that the standard of law that applies to us common folk does not apply to those within the police. A corporate apology and an undisclosed payment exempt these individuals from facing court time or further penalties for their actions. Thus that old saw that ignorance of the law is no excuse, and its twin, no one is above the law, is exposed as trivial and this is reinforced by lack of enforcement. Paul Evans-McLeod, Hamilton
Good on David Seymour
People who are unhappy with what is happening on Dancing with the Stars need to understand that no matter how good or otherwise the calibre of the judging panel might be, it is not, and never has been, a dancing competition. Rather, it is a charity fundraiser, with the dancing merely being the means to an end. Love him or hate him, no one can deny David Seymour has done well so far for his particular charity. Good on him for having the courage to do so while making an absolute prat of himself in the process. Phil Chitty, Albany
Faster than a fleeing felon
I endorse Ken Holmes’ views (HOS June 10) regarding Paul Little’s opinion piece on police pursuits. From the second an alleged miscreant decides to flee the police, any consequences are entirely in their hands. This week, Mr Little nails his colours firmly to the mast by using a simile to suggest something moving fast: “Moving faster than a cop in a car chase.” How about “faster than a fleeing felon”. William Wright, Rotorua
Twice as nice
Presumably car carriers return to Japan and South Korea empty. Why not take back our old cars and plastics for recycling? Bruce Tubb, Takapuna