I like to recycle and I make an effort not to use single-use plastic.

But we have a problem – we no longer know what should and what should not be recycled.

These past two weeks I have had a sticker placed on my bin telling me I am not keeping to the ‘rules’.

The last time I checked I was. My despicable crime was I had crisp packets in the recycling bin or a carrier bag – I don’t know. I am pretty sure I didn’t.

And I know I am not the only one who has had the misfortune of had having had that shameful sticker placed on top of my grey bin in recent weeks. It seems there a fair few of us who are being told we have been doing it all wrong.

You see, here is the point – I don’t think I am a bad recycler.

I wash the damned tins, I flatten the blasted cardboard and I will ensure there is no broken glass in the bin.

In fact, I checked the bin the second time and ticked off the list of things that were permitted. Yet, I was branded.

If you think about it a lot of stuff we use is not recyclable. We have been hoodwinked and sold a big fat lie.

This latest reprehensible episode has left me feeling a little dejected.

I decided to pack all my waste and dump it at the recycling centre. You know something - I don’t need it collecting anymore – I will do it myself because Blackburn with Darwen Council has decided to wage war on us good recycling folk because a blasted crisp packet found its way in the wrong bin.

There are two reasons this could have happened. And this is mere conjecture so don’t hold it against me.

I would think the contract has either changed hands or gone to another company.

Or things are being separated at the source. If we don’t abide by the ‘rules’ completely then we will have the inglorious sticker placed on the bin.

Let me be clear, I don’t blame the workers I blame the suited, booted fellow handing down the memo.

Here’s how I suggest we move forward – why not let some of us do the job for you?

We will fill the potholes, paint the fences and cut the grass on our own streets. All we ask is don’t charge us for the work.