Pay-as-you-throw (payt)
PAYT, user fees, or variable rates describe a way to equitably charge for trash disposal while encouraging recycling, source reduction, and at-home composting. PAYT is
available in over 7,100 communites throughout the US and has been statistically found to be one of the most cost effective methods to reduce trash disposal and encourage recycling. This website has been designed as a free tool to allow communties, program managers, and recycling groups to learn more about PAYT, access national research on the subject, and share knowledge on the subject.
PAYT programs
PAYT is adaptable for any type of community and is in use in some of the largest US cities with populations in the millions to small rural communitis wih only a few hundred residents. Common PAYT types include variable size carts, bag programs, tag programs, hybrid bag/tag programs, and weight based programs. To learn more about how PAYT works including implementation, program design, rate setting, barriers, and other info please use the resources provided throughout this website.
resources and information
Resources to learn more about PAYT programs
Presentations
Upcoming workshops and webinars
Community assistance
Materials designed to help communites implement PAYT programs