The major changes to waste collection in Oxfordshire are ones we have had to undertake, but their introduction could in no way be described as smooth or co-ordinated.

The trouble is, most of our councils have been playing catch-up or having to introduce only half a scheme in order to ensure they comply with European regulations ordering a big reduction in the amount of waste buried in the ground.

This week's announcement that the county council is seeking a contractor to take and recycle Oxfordshire's kitchen waste has come a little late for many people but at least holds out the prospect of a sensible solution to the most sensitive waste issues.

The switch to fortnightly collections of waste in places like Oxford was always going to be difficult. The single most burning issue is kitchen waste and the fact that it decomposes quickly.

The new composting facilities that will be delivered by April 2009 mean that weekly collections of kitchen waste should be a real possibility.

That is good for the environment in more ways than one.