Mililani recycling project
a success in first 4 weeksResidents collect 215 tons of
mixed items in its first month
Mililani resident Virginia Presto said she is happy to participate in the city's curbside recycling pilot project.
"The landfills are getting so filled. This is the best way we can help out," said Presto.
Since the four-month, $340,000 program's inception on Nov. 3, participating Mililani residents have been recycling green waste and mixed recyclables, which include corrugated cardboard, newspaper, glass, aluminum and plastic.
"I think they're doing an excellent job," said city recycling coordinator Suzanne Jones, who said residents have been calling with suggested improvements. "What we're learning now is how to design the system better."
More than 5,000 homes in Mililani have requested a free green container for recyclables, Jones said. Pickups for green waste and mixed recyclables alternate from week to week.
About 45 tons of green waste were picked up during the first week of the project, while 59 tons were picked up in the third week, city officials said. Sixty-one tons of mixed recyclables were picked up during the second week, but 50 tons were picked up in the fourth week.
Jones said they are seeing a trend in the green-waste pickup, but it is too early to see a trend in the mixed-recyclables pickup. She speculated that the difference in tonnage for mixed recyclables occurred because residents were saving their items in anticipation of the start of the project.
Jones reminded Mililani residents to not use plastic bags for their green waste because it leads to higher processing costs.
Project staff members will conduct surveys to find out how the project is working.
Though Presto said she is glad that the city started the project, she noted that it is difficult to remember which day crew members are picking up green waste or mixed recyclables.
"It's confusing," said Presto.
Her husband, Liberato, suggested that workers pick up mixed recyclables once a month instead of twice of month because not many residents collect enough cans or newspapers. "I think it's a waste of time," he said.
The Prestos, however, like the twice-a-month green-waste pickup.
"We have a lot of greenery," said Virginia, whose property contains tangerine, lychee and jabong trees at her Waimakua Drive home.
Mililani resident Kirsten Throneberry said the project is more convenient than taking material to a recycling bin. "It's great. I'm glad they're doing something," said Throneberry.
"Personally, I'm very encouraged," Dick Poirer, chairman of the Mililani-Waipio Neighborhood Board, said of the pilot project. "It's just a matter of getting accustomed to it."