The proportional system creates the most direct relationship between trash amounts and price. Communities using this system charge residents a per-unit amount for each trash container they fill. 25 for each 32-gallon bag they set out. Because they must pay for the collection of each bag they place at the curb, residents have a strong incentive to increase waste reduction, recycling, and composting. Potentially lower program costs.
Residents typically purchase bags directly from the municipality or local retail outlets.
Households might buy many bags at one time and then none for several months, creating possible fluctuations in revenue. Residents are usually billed based on their choice of subscription container size. For garbage they discard above their subscription level, residents must pay an additional fee. The price of any subsequent containers may increase or decrease, depending on the community's PAYT program goals . In addition, container sizes under variable-rate systems can vary.