Langley City residents haven't wasted any time adopting the new green waste program that started Jan. 2.

Residents are expected to put any food waste in with yard waste so the materials can be taken for composting, instead of into the landfill.

"We're still going through the adjustment phase, but we're encouraged by these tonnage results," said City administrator Francis Cheung.

The City budgeted this year for a 15 per cent reduction in garbage amounts for 2013 because green waste is being diverted with rates rising after that. Up to 35 per cent of waste is food/yard waste.

In January 2012 the waste contractor collected about 27,100 tonnes of green waste. Since the program started, residents have put out 52,600 tonnes, or a 93.7 per cent increase over the same month last year.

Garbage amounts for January 2012 were 158,490 tonnes but fell to 87,500 tonnes for the same time in 2013. That's a 44.8 per cent reduction.

For recycling, the amounts went from over 87,000 tonnes last year to 115,810 tonnes this year, a 31.8 per cent increase in the amount people are blue boxing.

The next figures on the amended waste program will be available at the end of February.

"I want to thank the people of Langley for taking up the charge and changing habits," said Mayor Peter Fassbender.

For the green waste program, the City is allowing green cans of a minimum of 50 litres with a lid to a maximum of 80 litres with two handles and a lid. The City website www.city.langley.bc.ca has an example of acceptable smaller containers.

"Our collector has noticed some residents have placed organic waste containers that are smaller than 50 litres, and they are difficult to see among the garbage, recycling and yard trimmings placed at the curb," said Cheung.

Additional greencan stickers as well as garbage and recycling pickup schedules and fridge magnets are available at City hall on Douglas Crescent.

The City reminds residents that kraft brown bags are usable but the brown bags with plastic layers are not useable because the plastic takes too long to decompose.

To reduce odours, the City recommends lining the green waste bin in the home and the curbside green-can with newspapers.

hcolpitts@langleyadvance.com