The Worthing recycling scheme is in deep crisis. It must be saved before it is too late.

Confidence, reliability, simplicity and ease of use are the key watchwords for any system to work well.

This new system, judging by letters in the Press and to the Town Hall, is disliked, complicated and makes life difficult for households.

No wonder people are giving up and abandoning recycling by placing all their rubbish into black bins. I would rather they did not but can understand why they do.

As recently as last year, I believe recycling made a nice profit for the Worthing Borough Council.

I wonder how the figures look now? Profit is not a consideration for residents when they decide to become recyclers. People recycle because they recognise suitable landfill sites are fast running out.

West Sussex has only five years' landfill capacity left, for example, and this is their own contribution to a better environment.

The residents' message is clear - they know what they want. Why is the present administration not listening?

Seven residents (the executive) took the decision to scrap the old system, to save money without doubt, and dump on us this alternate week collection - which so many residents are bemoaning - with no consultation and no trial run. Something is wrong.

So, come on, you Lib-Dem "voice of the people", "democratic" and "fully signed up to everything" councillors, show us your mettle. Pursue your executive members everywhere and persuade them to listen and reverse this silly policy.

There is, however, more we can do. I offer any residents with similar views on recycling to contact me, either by letter (recycled paper if possible please) at Worthing Town Hall or by e-mail to george. stephens@worthing.gov.uk.

Any who do can be assured I will pass their communications to the leader of the council. Together, we can force a change, I confidently predict.

-Coun George Stephens, Town Hall, Worthing