NORTH SALT LAKE — The North Salt Lake City Council will hold two public hearings to get residents' input on bringing a curbside recycling program to the city. The council is leaning toward an optional program — either asking residents to proactively subscribe or including all residents except those who opt out of a program.

The first public hearing will be held July 21 during the 7 p.m. council meeting in North Salt Lake City Hall, 20 S. U.S. Highway 89.

The second public hearing will be Aug. 18.

In the meantime, the city plans to send information to residents about recycling options.

The city has received proposals from Waste Management, the city's current waste hauler, and from ACE Disposal.

For the program to be feasible, at least 50 percent of the city's 3,500 households that currently have garbage cans would need to participate.

With either proposal, the monthly cost per household drops if more people participate.

Waste Management proposed to charge $2.98 a month for 100 percent participation, $3.38 per month with 75 percent and $3.83 per month with 50 percent.

ACE Disposal proposed to charge $3.95 per month with 100 percent participation, $4.75 per month with 75 percent and $5.65 per month for 50 percent.

Currently, about 1,200 homes have two garbage cans, and some of those homes could trade out a garbage can — with a cost of $8.50 per month — for a recycling can and save some money.

North Salt Lake resident Devan Thorne asked the council to avoid making recycling mandatory, which is how programs in Bountiful and Woods Cross currently operate.

Centerville expects to begin its optional curbside program by Sept. 1, and Fruit Heights will soon begin serving as a test case for a pilot program for collecting yard waste, which will be composted and sold at the Layton landfill.

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