Having gone to United Downs tip recently, I was horrified to find jammed in a newspaper / cardboard skip new, clean, hard backed books. Not just one or two, but 20.

There was a book by Chris Evans, a biography of Paul O’ Grady and other newish editions.

Why do people do this? Have they not heard of charity shops, or bring and buy stalls, helping the community?

I also saw people putting three-piece suites, mirrors, coffee tables, computer desks, in the open general waste skips, perfectly decent, with lots more wear in them.

A few years ago, the company who ran and organised the refuse at this tip had a corner where really good items could be obtained by the public.

I got a lovely nest of oak tables there for a few pence, a garden stone statue of a dog, and several garden chairs over the years; oh – and books!

Surely it is better to re-use these useful things at a time when we are being urged to make do and mend?

Some people's rubbish can be another's treasure!

Some buy new constantly, but why they can't take their discarded items to a charity or put them on Freecycle where purchaser collects? Beats me.

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