APOLOGIES for causing shock to the system of Scott Simpson (Letters, January 14). He would be even more shocked if he knew the number of things that I have "binned" over the years.

With my husband I "binned" our first ill-constructed peat-stack; an old Austin 10 when its rear doors fell off; a bookcase made from fish boxes; half a gale-destroyed greenhouse and dozens of other objects including his 1956 home-made hi-fi set. In my mind they were all "binned". Of course, they nearly all provided lots of stuff for recycling into other interesting, though often eminently "bin-able", schemes. The peat-stack was eventually re-built to our great satisfaction. A microwave oven was recycled in Portree.

Things I would really like to see "binned" (and I make no apology) are those hand-held digital gizmos which constantly cause people to conduct telephone calls in inappropriate places. (To hear a graphic description of animals being selected for slaughter, whilst I was sitting on a bus in Nicholson Street, Edinburgh, was horrible.) These devices could all fit inside our wheelie-bins but, as this would risk shocking Mr Simpson further, I would ask that they be disposed of “in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive”. And then try to behave myself. I now have a rusting wheelbarrow leaning against the garden wall, waiting for ‘binning’.

What fearful “nightly offerings” are (possibly) enjoyed by R Russell Smith (Letters, January 14). “Culinary exploits, rehashed news and puerile sitcoms”? Enough to make you climb into a bin yourself.

Thelma Edwards,

Old Comrades Hall,

Hume, Kelso.