I recently decided to recycle my paper, glass, tin and plastic household waste.

I was motivated to do this by Brighton and Hove City Council's awareness campaign to encourage the city's residents to play their part.

Cityclean, the council's recycling contracting firm, collect recyclable paper, tin and glass from my door every fortnight and, while I am grateful, I must highlight that I pay for this service with my council tax.

However, when my plastic waste was not collected, I contacted Cityclean and was advised that the door-to-door collection for plastic was not being made in my area but would be soon. A date is yet to be confirmed. Please note there are areas in Woodingdean that do receive collection for plastic recycling but it has not been possible for Cityclean to arrange this service for the whole of Woodingdean.

What do I do with my plastic in the meantime? Cityclean advised me that there are no resources in Brighton and Hove for me to take my plastic to although there are at least 100 outlets in our city for paper, tin and glass recycling. I was told there are outlets in Lewes and, yes, I could drive to Lewes but does this not defeat the purpose?

I am trying to aid the environment by recycling but will harm it by driving pointlessly for ten miles to dispose of my recycling. Cityclean also pointed out that Magpie would recycle my plastic but they will charge £1 plus VAT per bag of recycling that they collect.

I have decided to draw a line under this experience. I refuse to pay for a service for which I am already paying with my council tax. If our council are unable to provide a simple service such as a bin in which I can put my plastic to be recycled, why should I go to extremes trying to find somewhere that does?

Hence, for my forthcoming refuse collection, I shall be leaving out my four black sacks full of plastic for them to unnecessarily bury in a landfill.

-Samantha L Griffiths, Woodingdean