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.
Some communities offer only one container size for additional set-outs.
Others ask residents to use containers that are larger or smaller than their subscription level container size for additional set-outs. Resident may pay the fee for extra garbage by purchasing bags or tags, or communities may count the additional set-outs at the time of collection and bill residents accordingly. Depending on their program goals, communities can charge a price for additional containers that is higher than the subscription level price. This additional charge will create a strong incentive to reduce and recycle. Some communities, however, are concerned that residents may dispose of their waste in undesirable ways if they feel the pricing system is unfair.