I read with interest the news item entitled Most Common Offence: Taking Rubbish Out Too Early (January 2).

For years I have felt that the matter needs to be tackled and solved because there is far too much rubbish around. This has also been pointed out by visitors, something which should worry everyone connected to tourism.

When the Sliema local council changed the refuse collection time from morning to afternoon, I pointed out to a councillor that there are people who leave home in the morning and return well after collection time. How are they to bring out their rubbish one hour before collection if there is no one at home to do so?

It was pointed out that the decision was made so as not to delay people going to work. I beg to differ for the following reasons. The gap between the time people usually go to work in the morning and the afternoon is far too big.

There are many other "obstacles" hindering people going to work. Why are these ignored?

Rubbish collectors, in my area at least, collect rubbish very quickly and quietly.

Other localities have their rubbish collected in the morning and the result is a cleaner locality.

Early in the morning rubbish is collected from hotels. This is taking place exactly at the time when people are going to work, so the reason given for the change in collection times is not valid.

There is no doubt that something must be done about people who think that their domestic rubbish is theirs till they get to their front door but are then at liberty to dump it anywhere provided it is not near their door or house!

You also get some individuals who bring out their rubbish when it is most obvious that the scammel has already been around. Yet, they leave it outside till the next day; of course the next day could also be a Sunday or a national holiday.

Others are in the habit of bringing their rubbish out on Sundays and public holidays despite the fact that no collections take place on such days. Incredible but true.

To my way of seeing things, the best time to collect rubbish is between 8.30 and 9 a.m. because by then people who have to go to work would have left, early delivery vans would also have come and gone and other delivery vehicles usually turn up after 9 a.m.

I compliment the government, the minister and all those who are doing their best to clean up our country. That said, it is useless having wardens going round unless what is in place is workable and fair.

Once this is in place then, yes, let's have wardens and heavy fines but people must not be forced to get rid of their rubbish illegally simply because they are not in a position to put their domestic waste out at the (wrong) collection times.