Now that the city has launched a pilot curbside recycling program, it has turned its attention to furthering recycling efforts in parks, golf courses and other public facilities.

City officials are considering options such as putting in special recycling bins — ranging in price from $300 to $600 — or buying attachments to put on existing trash cans, as San Francisco does.

Officials at the city Department of Environmental Services did not return three messages seeking comment on the plans.

Earlier this month, the City Council deferred action on a bill mandating recycling in the more than 290 city parks, at golf courses and in city buildings while the administration evaluates the programs already in place.

The City Council will receive a progress report from the city about recycling at public facilities at a meeting Feb. 20.

Council chairwoman Barbara Marshall asked city officials at a recent committee meeting why extra trash cans could not be relabeled to receive "bottles" or "cans." Marshall wondered if programs could be put in place without extra expense or prolonged planning.

Issues of staffing and union agreements governing what types of tasks employees can perform also are playing a role in any new initiatives enacted by the city, the administration has said.

Marshall reacted to that, saying, "We spend way too much time worrying about what people won't do and too little encouraging the good people to do the good things."

Jose Gonsalves, owner of Ohana Recycling, said his company can provide the city with 55-gallon drums with a top outfitted for bottles or cans at $30 apiece.

He said it is a safe, inexpensive option that could be implemented quickly.

"I got a perfect plan for them and eventually all the parks would be covered," Gonsalves said.

The city in November began collecting mixed recyclables and green waste from 12,000 households in Mililani and 8,000 households in Hawai'i Kai. On Jan. 7, the city began collecting trash only once a week in those communities.

Mililani residents have the option to pay a $30 quarterly fee for twice-weekly trash pickup.

About 400 households in Mililani have paid for a second day of trash collection a week for the first quarter of the year, said Suzanne Jones, the city's recycling coordinator. An additional 78 have purchased second-day trash pickup for the second quarter.

City councilman Charles K. Djou said the city is responsible for showing leadership on the recycling issue and for providing a good example for the community.

"It's good for the environment, and the city government should be trying to lead the way and show the people the benefit of recycling," Djou said. "Why we haven't initiated it already is surprising and something we should do."

Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.