Someday it may be free, but right now recycling is only cheaper than trash service. On average, a collection hauler will charge a household around $3-$5/month to collect recycling and around $8 to $12/month (or more) to collect trash. The actual recyclables revenues are only a portion of a hauler’s total budget and expenses. To collect recyclables haulers must still purchase trucks and carts/bins, staff the trucks to collect the materials, purchase fuel, provide maintenance, etc.. These costs are nearly the same for recycling as for trash. However recycling, unlike trash, once collected can be sold as a commodity, and haulers must pay to dispose of trash in a landfill.