Even the free-market folks should like the idea of having those who generate the waste pay the costs of disposing of it. Not only does it allocate costs more fairly, it provides an automatic incentive to reduce the volume of waste. The approach, often termed Pay As You Throw or PAYT, is used in many communities—and the revenue allows them to do such things as distributing free backyard composting equipment and eliminating all charges for recycling. And, of course, reducing waste helps to preserve resources and protect our health.
More information is available from the EPA, including case studies on successful programs and tools to help residents & communities implement a PAYT program. See the Pay As You Throw website.