JEFFERSON CITY -- Officials said the new curbside recycling program in Jefferson City is off to a successful start.

After picking up trash and recyclables at the first 2,500 homes Monday, Allied Waste services reported a 45 percent reduction in the amount of refuse going to the landfill.

Sanitation Director Charlie Lansford said people are still confused about when to put out the new bins.

"There seems to be confusion on knowing which day, since we've gone from twice-a-week service to once a week,” Lansford said.

Lansford said the old 96 gallon bins will be collected over the next couple of weeks.

Some people had still put trash in them this morning.

“If they can get to using the 65-gallon, that's great,” Lansford said. “But if the 90-gallon is full of trash, it still will be collected as trash.”

Officials also remind consumers to leave about three feet of space between the trash and recycling bins, to accommodate the pick-up arm on the truck.