A couple of times in the last week, city commissioners have talked about the need to make Lawrence look more “green” in order to boost its ability to attract companies in the “green energy” sector.

The natural reaction of commissioners is to create a new staff position and look at starting a new program as ways to show that Lawrence is being green. A town with a “sustainability coordinator” and a curbside recycling program obviously is more green, right?

Well, maybe, but if the city could find ways to conserve energy and boost recycling without spending the money on a new staff member and a new recycling program, that would be even better.

As noted in this space earlier this week, it seems that an energy audit would be a perfect task for the city’s new auditor. Once energy-saving strategies are identified, it could become the responsibility of current employees to see that they are followed.

Curbside recycling has been discussed and rejected several times by city commissioners. Officials have estimated that starting a citywide program would add $9 to $12 a month to residential trash bills. For that amount of money, residents already can contract with private firms to provide that service, so why should the city get involved?

Perhaps the key question is whether a municipal service would increase the level of recycling in Lawrence. If a significant amount of recyclable material is diverted from the city’s landfill, it could save the city money in the long run. Mandatory recycling surely would boost the rate of recycling, but are commissioners ready to write tickets for people who try to hide plastic milk jugs in their non-recyclable trash?

People who want to recycle already can take advantage of a number of free drop-off sights or pay a modest fee for curbside service. Unless recycling is mandated, it seems that implementing a city-run system wouldn’t have a significant impact. Even if recycling is made mandatory, it might be less expensive for the city to contract with a private firm to provide that service.

When it comes to being “green,” it’s results, not new staff members or programs, that count. One commenter on LJWorld.com had the right idea, saying that, rather than being embarrassed about the lack of a municipal curbside recycling program, city officials should tout the fact that Lawrence has a free recycling center run by the local Wal-mart, as well as private firms that provide curbside recycling and jobs for many people with disabilities — all at no cost to the city.

It’s hard to see why the city needs to devote time and taxpayer money to duplicate a service that already is so available and affordable to Lawrence residents.