Help, in the form of a new green-waste receptacle, appears on the way for Salt Lake City residents - for a price.

Praising the nascent program this week, City Council members seem poised to greenlight the green can. If the voluntary program is approved as part of the city's new budget, residents may get a can for $3.50 a month in March 2008.

City officials say the bin for organic refuse will be a different color from the green garbage and blue recycling cans, but did not reveal what shade it would be. The organic refuse would not go to the landfill and would be recycled.

Several council members said people have clamored for such an option for years. But Councilwoman Nancy Saxton worries about a lack of incentive since no penalty exists for putting yard trimmings into the regular garbage bin.

"Part of this is leading our public to where they ought to go," explained Public Services Director Rick Graham, who said the program ought to make the city collectively more environmentally conscious. "We want to appeal to those who have a sense of duty and responsibility."

Under the program, existing service would not change, meaning residents still could mix green waste with their garbage.

However, smaller cans - 60 gallon and even 30 gallon receptacles for garbage - would be available for those who opt for the new bin.

The program, which would not affect the city's neighborhood cleanups, would run nine months per year - slumbering for the winter.

Staffers project 10 percent of capital residents, some 4,100 homes, will subscribe initially. If the service succeeds and expands, Graham notes, the city may shift the program to a contractor.

djensen@sltrib.com