The city was set today to resume regularly scheduled pickup of bulky items such as mattresses and sofas — a service disrupted after storm runoff damaged the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill in Waianae in mid-January.

But the landfill still has not been reopened to the public, as the operator cautiously moves forward following repairs.

Waste Management of Hawaii Inc. said it is was continuing to meet all federal Environmental Protection Agency deadlines.

The latest deadline yesterday included the submission of a plan on how to avoid future storm runoff problems, including the discharge of syringes and other medical waste.

Some Ko Olina residents and businesses, citing the January storm runoff, have been opposed to the city extending the use of the landfill beyond July 31, 2012, and want alternative solutions, including more recycling.

"We’ve been pushing for well over a decade for Waimanalo Gulch to close," said Abbey S. Mayer, a vice president with the Resort Group, the master developer of Ko Olina.

"We feel this last incident displays that no amount of best management practice can ensure the safety of our residents, visitors and the environment."

The following areas for bulky-item pickup scheduled for today (the first Wednesday of the month) include Alewa Heights, Puunui, Kalihi, Kalihi Valley and Kamehameha Heights.

Other areas with pickup today are Ewa Gentry (west of Fort Weaver Road and north of Iroquois Point Road), Ocean Pointe, Ewa, West Loch and Honouliuli, Kaneohe (makai of Kahekili Highway and south of Heeia Kea Pier), including Kapunahala and north of Kaneohe Stream.

During the weekend, the city picked up bulky items left on curbsides in Waikiki and a number of other high-rise areas to clear areas of unauthorized dumping.

At the landfill, the bulky items have been mixed with a backlog of sewage sludge formerly stored at various waste-water treatment plants.

Residents may bring their trash to city transfer stations.