The city says the program is already a success in Mililani and Hawaii Kai and its confident it will work in the new communities as well.

"It was quite frightening. I didn't know what was going on," said Kalau Jones, as he came home for lunch and almost drove into rows and rows green waste bins. But now that he knows its part of the new curbside recycling program he likes it.

"The city and county is showing us they're trying to be, what is that new term, greener or green. Whatever it is, I think it's a good thing," Jones said with a smile.

More than 24,000 homes in East Honolulu will get the green waste and blue recycle bins from now through October including Manoa, St. Louis, Palolo, Kapahulu, Kaimuki, Kahala, Aina Haina and Kuliouou, which is where Jones lives.

“Actually I’ll be honest I always threw away my stuff in the trash can," admitted Jones.

He recycles now, but only because he was pressured by a very influential group.

"My daughters they would always tell me, ‘Dad why are you throwing away this can?’ and I said, you know if my kids know what to do it's about time I understand what's going on," said Jones.

Along with East Honolulu, 12,000 homes in Kailua will get bins in September including Aikahi, Lanikai, Enchanted Lake and Olomana.

More than 3,000 North Shore homes in Waialua, Haleiwa and Sunset beach will also be included. Pick up for all areas begins November 3rd.

"It's really great and it's really about time. I'm excited," said Patricia Coulson, as her bin was delivered.

People don't seem to be bothered by the fact they'll only have one rubbish pickup per week. The city says if you recycle properly you won't need that second trash pickup.

"I think as an island we should be separating our recyclables and making use of them if we can certainly and not just filling up the landfills and shipping off our garbage,” said Patricia Coulson.

Large families can request extra bins, including the rubbish can at no cost, but if you do the city says be prepared for personnel to inspect and monitor what you throw away. If you aren't recycling they'll take your second rubbish can away.

Getting used to the new process will take some getting used to. To look up your schedule click here.


For more information and to see what can and cannot be recycled click here.

---