One side argues that municipal governments handle much of their business such as education, roads and fire and police protection through collective taxing and spending. The other side responds, fees are charged for pet and vehicle licenses, water and sewer services etc. An equitable system keeps individuals financially responsible for their own waste as much as possible and not for their neighbor s. Economics are often a main driving force behind efforts to implement unit pricing systems. Built in economic incentives cause a reduction in the overall volume of trash.
Environmental benefits are also a direct result of waste reductions.
Fewer materials being incinerated and landfilled means less potential for pollution. Potential Consequences of unit pricing have also been documented. When implementing any system, undesirable effects need to be anticipated and, if possible, avoided. Both legal and illegal methods of shifting waste can be undesirable to communities. An example of legal shifting is when a resident switches to a private trash hauler in response to a new unit pricing system.