If there is one subject to have dominated the political agenda in Oxford over the past 18 months, it is surely waste collection.

Indeed, the "recycling revolution", as it has been widely dubbed, has been no stranger to controversy.

Oxford City Council still has some way to go to win over the hearts and minds of people, many of whom are still resentful over fortnightly rubbish collection.

Today we report on the latest solution to come from the Town Hall.

Yes, a sympathetic ear.

It is true that in the months since the new waste collection arrangements were introduced - under a Liberal Democrat administration - the council was too rigid in its approach. The scheme took time to bed in, but the public felt there was little flexibility.

Now, the new Labour administration has promised a "long hard look" at the scheme and said there would be "radical" changes.

Interesting. However, the most radical idea appears to be a three-bin system - one for general waste, one for all recyclables and one for food and garden waste.

A good idea, but one already commonplace at many councils across the country, including West Oxfordshire and Cherwell.

The vast majority of people, apart from the most begrudging stick-in-the-muds, agree that recycling is now a way of life.

The city council's job is to make it easy for people to do so.

That means finding solutions for those living in flats and tower blocks, giving those that don't want monstrous wheelie bins an alternative and, above all, listening to what people have to say.

Much has been made of the fact household recycling rates have leapt from 18 per cent to 38 per cent in 18 months.

But that figure is poor compared to other towns and cities. Oxford could and should do much better.