Letter Writing # 221 - Rubbish/garbage collection in your area is not working properly

IELTS Letter Writing / GT Writing Task 1:

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The system used for rubbish/garbage collection in your local area is not working properly. This is causing problems for you and your neighbours.

Write a letter to the local council.

In your letter:

  • describe how the rubbish collection system is not working properly
  • explain how this is affecting you and your neighbours
  • suggest what should be done about the problem

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,


Model Answer 1:

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express a grave situation that the community of "Lake West Spring" is facing due to the faulty and inadequate rubbish management system, especially for the last three to four weeks.

With relation to the problems, the number of rubbish bins installed in the area is insufficient considering the total population. Moreover, for the last couple of weeks, garbage collector's lorries have not been picking up the trash in time, and deposit of all waste has started to scatter around the bins or on the streets.

Since the garbage bins are overflowing with litter, it attracts some street dogs who rampage the rubish every night. It has also become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, houseflies and other insects which can lead to the spread of infectious diseases. Moreover, the bad odour from garbage has started reaching our house which hampers our peaceful and healthy living.

I would like to suggest that the local council look into the matter urgently and make sure the garbage lorries come to our community every other day to empty the bins. Besides, for a long-term solution, more large waste bins should be erected in the region as soon as possible and the garbage should definitely be picked up in a timely manner.

I hope you will take immediate measures to solve the problems and consider my suggestions.

Yours faithfully,

Elmina Rose


Sample Answer 2:

Dear Sir or Madam,

I cannot really believe that I am writing such a letter to you about the messy rubbish collecting situation in my neighbourhood. And I am hoping that your mediation would solve the problem.

The garbage management authority in my area these days are not really picking up the rubbish in due time. Sometimes, the rubbishes are even left for days, especially the liquid and organic waste, which become decomposed and then eventually spread foul smell all over. However, it wouldn’t exactly be so bad if some wild animals were not able to penetrate into the garbage bin to increases the risk of spreading some bad diseases. Besides, we feel really abashed when some of our friends and relatives complain about the foul smell in our neighbourhood while visiting us. So, it is indeed a really embarrassing situation for a country like ours where the waste management system has been generally good over the years.

Therefore, I would like to request you to look into the matter and get some serious and trained professionals to get the job done in order to ensure a clean and disease-free neighbourhood for us.

Yours faithfully,

Jane Nancy
