Should You Pay For Your Garbage?

If you have more trash than can fit in a single can, should you pay extra to get rid of it? You would if you lived in Austin, Tex., one of thousands of communities nationwide that has switched to a “Pay As You Throw” (PAYT) system.

Traditionally, households paid a set yearly fee for trash disposal, or the costs were covered by property taxes. But 25% of Americans now pay for trash collection based on how much they use it, the way most of us pay for water and electricity. PAYT systems vary widely, with some towns using special bags, cans, or stickers and charging anywhere from less than a dollar to more than $2 per bag.

Advocates of PAYT cite studies that show it encourages recycling and reduces the waste in landfills by up to 17%. Opponents argue that it penalizes those on fixed incomes and that it can lead to illegal garbage dumping. They also point out that store packaging accounts for a lot of consumer waste and say it’s unfair to make households foot the bill to dispose of it.

In Austin, pick-up costs $11.75 a month for a 30-gallon can or $14.50 for 60 gallons; anything that won’t fit costs extra. Resident Jacci Howard Bear says she now thinks twice before throwing things away, especially if they could be recycled. “Extra garbage stickers cost $2 each,” she says. “Trust me, it adds up fast.”

Tell us: Should Americans pay by the bag for garbage disposal? You can cast your vote at: http://www.parade.com/hot-topics/0808/should-you-pay-for-your-garbage