The city has improved on its extraction of green waste from O'ahu's garbage stream. We're now recycling about 9 percent more than last year. That's the good news.

The bad news is that it's costing us more to do it. The city is spending $2.1 million under the new system, in which homeowners served by the automated trucks set out their green waste in blue bins — the ones originally intended for cans and bottles. Those still on the old system (annual cost: about $1.2 million) continue to leave cuttings and other rubbish at the curb.

Considering that green waste is one of the city's leading initiatives in its garbage-reduction campaign, this is a little worrisome. Cost-effectiveness should be a primary goal in a mission that's supposed to be about reclaiming waste.

Granted, it takes a while to get the public to change its habits. But the city could do more to ease the adjustment.

If you've forgotten what days green waste is collected, there should be an easier way to find out than the rather cumbersome Web-based system of downloadable street maps. Residents call an information number, but the track record on returning calls is spotty.

Those who missed the advisories on Christmas "treecycling" and set out their tree as in the past found that the new world order was unforgiving. Tree in the wrong place? It's left behind.

That's discouraging, and if city officials are hoping for greater participation, discouragement is not a good tactic.

Many residents want to buy into the program — they just need some help.

The city is considering sending out stickers with tips and reminders (why not have the crews slap one on each bin?) and doing other outreach. Good idea, but there's been enough consideration already — and not enough action.