Oahu is opening its green-bin composting program to the whole island, good news for anyone who wants less trash going to the landfill.

• Starting Thursday, all Oahu residents can toss food scraps into their green waste bins.
• Fruits, vegetables, meat, pasta and bones are allowed; liquids, plastics and fat are not.
• The scraps go to a new composting facility instead of being burned, which cuts greenhouse gases and produces usable compost.
• A pilot in six neighborhoods drew about 15% participation, with wrong items in the bins dropping over time.
• To avoid smells and bugs, bury the food or cover it with a layer of green waste; coffee grounds or baking soda also help.

Outlook: The island-wide rollout begins October 1, and the city expects it to ease pressure on Oahu's landfill.