IT brought in a new waste collection scheme without consulting residents.

But now City of York Council has decided it is time to ask taxpayers for their views on the future of waste management.

The authority is part of the York and North Yorkshire Waste Management Partnership, which is about to begin a public consultation.

That means, seven weeks after a new bin collection scheme was introduced, city homeowners will finally get to have their say on long-term environment issues including recycling and composting.

At the start of October, the new waste collection scheme - collecting household waste and green waste on two-weekly cycles - was introduced, with Labour environment spokeswoman Ruth Potter lambasting its introduction "without a trial or consultation", despite manifesto promises to the contrary.

Coun Andrew Waller, the council's environment chief, then said a trial was not required because the scheme had worked well elsewhere.

The Evening Press Bin It! campaign argues for the retention of the weekly household waste collection, while supporting useful recycling initiatives. More than 6,500 people have so far signed up.

The waste management partnership, made up of all local authorities in North Yorkshire, is reviewing its current waste strategy.

In the coming weeks, residents will receive a questionnaire through their letterbox giving more information about the challenges faced and possible solutions which will include more recycling and composting.

The partnership aims to recycle and compost between 50 per cent and 55 per cent of household waste by 2013.

Coun Waller said: "This is the second time the public has been consulted by the York and North Yorkshire partnership - twin bin collections were included in the first survey. This time we are looking at long term targets."

Coun Potter said: "It is right that they (the council) are consulting on this in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council, which they didn't do before.

"This is quite an important study - looking at waste management issues in the long term. I think it is right that there is consultation at this stage."

Updated: 09:49 Wednesday, November 23, 2005