Honolulu is primed for a major advance in going green.

While other cities our size already have mature recycling programs, Honolulu — now running low on landfill space and taken to shipping garbage to the Mainland — is finally launching an islandwide curbside recycling program.

As an island community, a sensible and responsible plan to manage our waste is crucial. And a strong recycling ethic should be a cornerstone in that effort.

Indeed, O'ahu voters approved a City Charter amendment in 2006 to support curbside recycling. So it's good to see the city ramp up its recycling program, which is scheduled to be in place islandwide by May 2010.

The program should be expanded as quickly and effectively as possible — by both the city and the O'ahu residents who will determine the program's success.

There's no question that a curbside program is a good idea. The final report on the city's pilot projects in Hawai'i Kai and Mililani, released Tuesday, bears this out.

• Would most residents object to one-day-a-week garbage pickup? No.

• Would they need an additional gray garbage bin to compensate? Mostly, no.

• Would the program generate a significant increase in recyclables? Absolutely.

• Would most residents have trouble understanding and following the recycling program? No.

• Would residents approve of the program? Overwhelmingly so, as in 90 percent.

The city, which will model the islandwide rollout on its successful pilot projects, says its two-year schedule is prudent. It will take time and money to obtain and distribute the plastic bins, to educate the public on what to expect and to correct the inevitable startup glitches.

Fair enough. But surely the lessons learned from the pilot projects ought to make the subsequent phases easier and quicker to implement.

In the meantime, there are ways to make sure the expanded recycling system succeeds from the start.

To be on the safe side, the city has allotted two months for education and phasing in.

But you don't need two months to figure it out. A visit to the city's Web site, http://envhonolulu.org/solid_waste/curbside.htm, will give you a head start. The site provides information on how the recycling system will work, and when to expect it in your area.

The pilot projects in Hawai'i Kai and Mililani achieved a 54 percent recovery rate, which is pretty good. But there's no question we can do better.

Together, we can bring about a better solution for our waste, one that keeps our precious island environmentally sound for generations to come.