The curse of the bindweed

Double-strength glyphosate (get the concentrated, it's cheaper). Air strikes are good but a simple sprayer can be as effective. (50p each at the pound shop).

John is right of course. I was just a bit amused by what our allotment officer advised me to do. A man of the old school I think.

I think chemicals can be a great boon - doubt I would be alive without the little pills the doctor gives me.
With some problems, I think chemicals are the only realistic answer. Half a plot covered with horsetail for example.
The problems with chemicals are they they tend to be a sledgehammer solution. Insecticides that kill both friend and foe end up making problems worse in the long run.
The other big problem is that the chemical companies have a big axe to grind on safety issues. I'm not saying they falsify test results or slant reports (I might get sued!) but they certainly have an incentive to do so.
With fertilisers, over use can be harmful as well. Applying a load of nitrogen will encourage leafy growth but this soft sappy growth is more susceptible and attractive to aphids.
I tend to 'convert' my chemicals - some sulphate of ammonia or urea (or urine, but that's natural) will heat up a compost heap. The compost is my converted chemical.