United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5305W)
EPA530-F-97-006
April 1997
&EPA Pay-As-You-Throw
A Fact Sheet for Environmental
and Civic Groups
Pay-as-you-throw
programs
encourage people
to save money by
recycling and
preventing
waste.
Imagine-a solid
waste solution
that's good for
the wallet and
helps the
environment.
When it comes to manag-
ing solid waste, the
goal for the past 10
years has been to
reduce, reuse, and recycle. Today,
thousands of community recycling
programs are diverting millions of
tons of valuable materials-materials
that would otherwise be thrown
away-for remanufacturing into
useful products. ^
motivate residents not only to recycle
more, but also to think of ways to
prevent waste in the first place.
They're called "pay-as-you-throw"
programs, and nearly 2,000 communi-
ties across the country have begun
using them.
What is
, pay-as-you-throw?
Pay-as-you-throw pro-
grams, also known as
unit-based or
Despite
the tremendous
growth in recycling, how- /
ever, waste-generation ^
rates among individuals
continue to rise. Most of us don't give
as much thought as we should to
reducing the amount of waste that
remains after recycling.
One reason for this is we usually have
no incentive, beyond a general envi-
ronmental concern, to reduce waste.
Because individuals in most commu-
nities pay for collection and disposal
services through property taxes (or,
in some cases, through a flat fee),
they pay the same amount no matter
how much they throw away.
There is a different type of program,
however, that communities can use to
variable-
rate pricing,
provide direct economic
^ incentives for people to
reduce the amount of waste
they generate. Households are charged
for waste collection based on the
amount of waste they throw away-
in the same way they are charged for
electricity, gas, and other utilities.
In some communities, pay-as-you-
throw is based on volume: residents
are charged for each bag or can of
waste they generate. A few communi-
ties bill residents based on the weight
of their trash. Either way, pay-as-you-
throw gives everyone an extra push
to prevent waste. Pay-as-you-throw
connects our environmental concerns
with our wallets.
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What are the benefits of
pay-as-you-throw?
Pay-as-you-throw programs have environmental and
economic advantages and are often more equitable
for residents-a combination of benefits called the
"Three Es." Communities with programs in place
have reported reductions in waste amounts ranging
from 25 to 35 percent, on average. This results in
several important environmental benefits. Less waste
and greater recycling mean that fewer
natural resources are used, less energy
is consumed, and less pollution is cre-
ated. In addition, landfill space is used
at a slower rate, reducing the need to
site additional facilities.
Pay-as-you-throw also can send an
important source reduction signal to
product manufacturers. When individual
consumers begin to understand that their
trash costs money, they are likely to
adjust their purchasing habits to favor products that
will result in less waste-and, therefore, cost less-
when discarded. As more communities adopt pay-as-
you-throw, manufacturers will have an incentive to
redesign their products to appeal to this growing con-
sumer preference.
There also are potential economic advantages, both
for communities and their residents. Because they
often have more recovered materials and less waste
to dispose of, many communities with pay-as-you-
throw find their disposal costs go down. These pro-
grams also can yield savings in waste transportation
expenses and potentially greater revenues from the
sale of collected recyclables.
While they may not realize it, residents pay to throw
away trash. Whether they pay through their taxes or
with a flat fee, those who generate less and recycle
more are paying for neighbors who generate two or
three times as much waste. Pay-as-you-throw is more
equitable: residents who reduce and recycle are
rewarded with a lower trash bill.
Are there disadvantages to
pay-as-you-throw?
While there are potential barriers to a successful
program, communities with pay-as-you-throw have
found effective solutions. Local officials, for example,
often assume that illegal dumping will increase once
residents are asked to pay for each container of waste
they generate. Most communities with pay-as-you-
throw have found this not to be the case, however,
especially when they offer their residents recycling,
composting for yard trimmings, and other programs
that allow individuals to reduce waste legally. Others,
particularly lower-income residents, worry about the
amount they will have to pay. In many communities,
however, coupon or voucher programs are helping to
defray their expenses.
How can our
organization help?
In many cases, local officials either are
not aware of pay-as-you-throw or
haven't considered how it might work
in their community. While pay-as-
you-throw may not be appropriate for
all communities, municipal planners
can benefit from learning about such
programs. Your organization can work with local,
regional, or state government officials to make them
aware of the benefits of pay-as-you-throw and how
any potential barriers might be overcome.
Once communities in your area begin to plan pay-as-
you-throw programs, your organization also can
assist in their development and implementation. By
helping municipal officials plan programs that are
reasonable and equitable, and by educating people
about the benefits of the new system, your organiza-
tion can play a role in improving the way we manage
solid waste in this country.
How can I learn more about
pay-as-you-throw?
EPA has developed a series of products for anyone
interested in pay-as-you-throw. Individuals looking
for more information on these programs can request
additional fact sheets, community success stories,
and other materials. For local solid waste planners
interested in bringing pay-as-you-throw to their
community, EPA has developed a comprehensive set
of tools to help them design and implement a suc-
cessful program. To find out more about EPA's
collection of products, call the Pay-as-you-throw
Helpline toll free at 888-EPA-PAYT.
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