Are there incentives for residents and businesses to participate in recycling programs?
In cities where solid waste management methods such as Pay-As-You-Throw and mandatory recycling are adopted, residents and business have a strong incentive to recycle. Pay-As-You-Throw programs deliver an economic benefit to those who recycle and an economic penalty to those who continue to trash recyclable items. Mandatory recycling programs also force residents and businesses to recycle or face fines. What is Pay-As-You-Throw? Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) programs charge residents a fee for each bag or can of waste they generate. In a small number of communities, residents are billed based on the weight of their trash. PAYT is endorsed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to the EPA, PAYT programs are environmentally sustainable, economically sustainable, and equitable. Many cities in Georgia have already implemented PAYT programs. For more information regarding PAYT programs and the benefits that they provide, see the EPA’s PAYT website. What is Environmental Awaren
