Local trash removal intended to have an economic incentive

Bloomington’s trash removal policy is basic economic thinking at work.

When the Bloomington City Council wanted to improve its recycling program, Council members understood citizens would be more receptive if they were provided with an incentive.

When the current pay-per-can system was implemented in an ordinance passed in 1993, people could continue to throw away as much trash as they wanted — as long as they were willing to pay a fee.

Because Bloomington provided recycling services free of charge, the city hoped this would help its citizens to sort their trash from recyclables more carefully.

“It was essentially a twin program that encouraged people to recycle,” Dan Sherman, a Bloomington City Council Administrator said.

After 17 years, the only change to the program has been an increase of the charge per bag from $1 to two.

Shelby Walker, director of the Bloomington Sanitation Garage, said the charge is generally good for residents. He said he believes the program helps them because they only have to pay for the services when they use them.

It prevents a person who only throws out one bag a week from paying the same amount as another who throws out ten, Walker said.

“A pay-as-you-go system helps the customer to have better control. It’s not something you pay all the time,” Walker said. “It works very well.”

Walker, similar to Sherman, said she thinks the program has helped people sort their trash rather than throw away objects that could be recycled.

“The more they recycle, the less they throw out,” Walker said.

But Bloomington is not alone in having an additional charge for waste services. West Lafayette has a flat monthly fee that residents pay for waste removal.

“We charge $9 a month,” said Donna VanMeter, foreman of the West Lafayette Street and Sanitation Department. “That includes trash, recycling and yard waste.”

While VanMeter did not disclose why or when this policy was implemented, unlike Bloomington, West Lafayette charges for recycling. Residents also pay the same amount regardless of how much they throw out.

Sophomore Mark Mace, who lives in off-campus housing, said he does not have a problem with paying per can because Bloomington is providing a service to its residents. He also indicated it has helped him and his housemates recycle more.

“It’s definitely a good incentive,” Mace said.