I read the Guardian article on the new bin policy with interest, but disagree with one of the points made.

Where you have mentioned that we should not blame the workforce, I believe the ruling group has now given power to a workforce that have found their job becoming easier over the years. They might as well be given uniforms and called traffic wardens.

I have just moved from Thelwall to Grappenhall this week and when I put my bin out on Sunday night, I had no idea of the new bin policy.

When I returned home from work on Monday night, I was amazed to see that my bin had not been emptied and a yellow sticker on top saying: Your lid was not closed so we could not empty your bin.' I was incensed and when I checked the lid, I could not even put my finger under the gap that was there.

Later, one of my new neighbours called round to tell me that they had witnessed the bin men emptying the bins and when they came to my bin, they actually lifted the bin lid up, looked inside and then with glee waved their hands and slapped the special sticker on the lid. If this is all to do with health and safety, why lift the lid up in the first place?

I am sure that this new policy is giving the bin men some job satisfaction and maybe they could go on a bonus system with how many stickers they give out!

The complaints department at the council was no help either. I rang Tuesday morning, waited 25 minutes, voiced my concerns and asked for my bin to be emptied. I might as well have spoken to an answering machine. All I got was: "We cannot empty your bin and we will send you a complaints form."

I am now resigned to going to the tip to dispose of my rubbish. These people work for us that is why we pay council tax.

If the council was a company and sold its product on service, it would be out of business within three months.

Alan Green Grappenhall