Bin the council

It is rubbish day again. We have grey bins, green bins, brown bins, little bins and blue boxes. They are the ones that make a bid for freedom every windy day. We wait with an air of expectancy for the bin lorries to navigate the street. By bedtime our hopes are dashed. One collection has been missed again!

Edinburgh council have introduced a 24-hour helpline in their waste department. This saves humans having to fend off irate callers. After the annoying recorded voice has asked if you know what bin has been missed, along with other patronising questions, you are losing the will to live. If you were irritated before you made the call, you will now be apoplectic.

I do not know about other councils but the waste services in Edinburgh should change their name to the Rubbish Department.

DORIS DUFF Belmont Gardens, Edinburgh