Ders a rat in me kitchen wat Amma gonna do Amma goin ta kill dat rat.Call in de rat Busters.Or the A Team!

   I am confused. How have the rats got there in the first place and why is no-where else infested if the same processes re collections are happening? Someone is to blame, i'm suggesting we blame a combination of residents AND the council to keep everybody happy.

   So I was right then - this has nothing to do with how often the bins are collected. The problem is due to these super rats that can gnaw their way through thick plastic wheely bins. So, the council's proposal to educate residents on how to control these rodents is the best way forward. If the bin men are mixing paper and cardboard with household waste, I agree with you, this is madness. You should complain to the council. However, the gist of Mr Barlow's article was to rail against the recycling policy where household waste is collected every other week. He seemed to be suggesting (wrongly) that this is the cause of the rat problem.

   Sounds disgusting. What a hell-hole. Stories like that make us ex-pats appreciate our lot.

The Satisfied Customer (Preparing for a Tough Sydney Winter)

   It is obvious that none of you have any experience, or know what you are talking about. The Rats have gnawed their way through the plastic into the bins.

Watch the papers and cardboard collection. We separate it and the bin men come and throw it all in the same container, which defies all logic.

   It is obvious that none of you have any experience, or know what you are talking about. The Rats have gnawed their way through the plastic into the bins.

Watch the papers and cardboard collection. We separate it and the bin men come and throw it all in the same container, whioch defies all logic.

   I have to agree with the other comment. It must be a damn clever rat that can open the lid of a wheelie bin. The problem couldn't possibly be caused by people over filling bins or leaving sacks of rubbish lying around, it has to be the Council's fault.

   Understand your comments re the environment etc but in certain parts of the country lack of care and/or ignorance means that changing things like the bin collections will mean serious public health issues. Not everyone lives in a nice, shiny, orderly, sensible way, mowing the lawn and washing the car on sundays, routine, respect etc. Alot of folk dont even care about the world we live in this very moment, let alone the one that awaits in 20/30/50/100 years.

   I don't about where you live, but in Macclesfield our rubbish is collected every week. Last week they took our garden waste, botttles and cans. This week they will collect our paper, cardboard and household rubbish. It seems that Mr Barlow's problem is with the idea that people are being made to recycle. It may be inconvenient, but it is vital for the future of our children, grand children etc that we all take a responsible attitude towards it. As for the rats, I can only guess that this is a result of the residents in that particular area not disposing of their household waste properly - in the wheely bin provided, with the lid shut.

   Whats that fawlty?, youth of today, ge them in the army.................

   Britain is becoming a 3rd world country. Even here with all the bogans in Australia they still manage to collect the rubbish once a week.

Mind you, its nothing that the Major from Faulty Towers (a bit like Epsilon crossed with Vic Barlow) couldnt sort.