The public are to be asked how they think their rubbish should be best disposed of.

Oxfordshire County Council, along with the county's district councils, have announced the first public consultation on how to deal with the county's household rubbish.

The councils have united to achieve new recycling targets and to reduce the amount of rubbish sent to landfill sites. A joint household waste strategy for the next 20 years was agreed last month.

Most of the county's household rubbish is sent to landfill because it is not sorted. Fourteen per cent of rubbish was recycled last year. By 2006, 30 per cent must be recycled or composted.

The six-week consultation will take place between Monday, September 3, and Sunday, October 14.

Patrick Coulter, the county council's head of waste management, said: "Everyone can do practical things to recycle or compost more. We are trying to provide everyone with recycling boxes, providing local recycling centres and subsidised home compost bins.

To order a consultation leaflet, call 01865 816070.