As the city gears up to begin a pilot curbside recycling program in Mililani and Hawai'i Kai, officials are also working to increase recycling at condominium properties islandwide.

The city is offering to reimburse condominiums and other multifamily complexes for up to $2,000 of the costs to start a recycling program and has allocated $200,000 for the program's first year, according to city recycling coordinator Suzanne Jones. Eligible costs include recycling containers and equipment, tenant education materials, system design consultation and coordination.

The city has been helping condominiums and other multifamily buildings for years with guidelines, educational materials and other assistance on recycling, said Jones.

But city officials want to step up recycling even more with the financial incentive, which is meant to be a companion to curbside recycling, she said.

"As we move forward with the two pilot projects in Mililani and Hawai'i Kai, the questions are coming up in every community meeting that I go to: 'What about us in condominiums?' " Jones said.

There are 1,078 condominium complexes with six or more units on O'ahu, representing a total of 110,393 units, according to the state Real Estate Commission.

"The curbside recycling program is going to provide a convenient service to those of us that live in single-family homes with city collection service," Jones said. "But we have a lot of people living in condominiums and townhouses that are privately serviced, and they need to get on board."

Sierra Club Hawai'i chapter executive director Jeff Mikulina said it's good the city is looking at multifamily buildings, but added that officials could go further and require recycling. He also questioned whether $2,000 would be a large enough incentive.

"I'm glad that they're looking at this segment, because it's neglected, and it's the missing piece in the whole curbside program," he said.

EFFECTIVENESS UNCLEAR

Jones said officials will evaluate the effectiveness of the program and make adjustments.

"We still have yet to see how effective this level of assistance will be to them," she said. "We're looking for feedback from the condominium properties."

Ben Kapuniai, general manager of the Kuapa Isle townhouse complex in Hawai'i Kai, said the reimbursement program can be effective in encouraging more multifamily dwellings to establish recycling programs.

"Anytime there's an incentive with money, it makes you think twice," he said.

Kapuniai said condominium recycling programs have grown over the years.

Educating residents about recycling is key, Kapuniai said. Recycling can be labor intensive if it's not run correctly, and facilities need to have space to handle the recyclables, he said. Pest control may also be an issue, he said.

"It's all about getting the information out to the homeowners and how it will benefit them and also the environment and our future," Kapuniai said. "Basically that's what recycling's about."

Richard Larson, resident manager of Country Club Plaza in Salt Lake, also said the reimbursement program would be a "very valuable incentive" for condominiums. The 279-unit Country Club Plaza already has a recycling program.

Cost is often a barrier for condominiums considering recycling, he said. He said several years ago he tried to start a recycling program in a Waikiki building he managed, but the board didn't want to absorb the costs and was doubtful enough residents would participate.

MOMENTUM GROWS

A few years later, as the recycling movement grew, the 100-unit building started a program and spent about $500 to $600 in startup costs, which included bins, locks and notices, he said. He estimated that larger buildings and properties that are spread out would likely have startup costs exceeding $2,000.

Jones said the city will continue to provide 96-gallon green bins to properties that want them for their own recycling efforts, she said.

The reimbursement program recognizes that multifamily buildings may need different types of containers other than the city-issued ones to efficiently store recyclables. The program can be used to help properties enhance their recycling efforts, Jones said.

Jones urges multifamily buildings that are considering taking advantage of the reimbursement program to call the city recycling office to verify that expenses will qualify for reimbursement. Those interested also need to understand documentation and other requirements for the program, she said.

Properties with city refuse collection using 96-gallon refuse bins are not eligible for the reimbursement program.

"There are many different ways that a building might approach this," Jones said. "We want to help them ... figure out the economics of the program."

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.