Only in Decatur.

At a time when the cost of everything is going up, the city is cutting the cost of trash pickup — because residents in the proudly green city are so good about recycling.

As a result, Latham Home Sanitation, which picks up the city’s trash, hauls 35 fewer tons of garbage than expected every month. So, when the 2009 tax bills go out next month, the single-family annual sanitation fee will drop $10, to $225. The city also is giving residents an extra-large reusable tote bag with Decatur’s logo on it for free to encourage recycling.

“It gives people a little thank you,” city spokeswoman Linda Harris said. “And, it helps remind them to reuse and recycle.”

One warning: value to the environment does not directly translate to value in the market. The construction slowdown has dampened the price earned for recyclables. If that continues, trash pick-up prices could rise next year, city manager Peggy Merriss warned.

“It’s good news, for now,” Merriss said.