This is how the garbage pickup worked when I lived in Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania. It was like $$1 each for small bags, $2 each for big bags. I think they recently switched from the blue bags to stickers. It was a nice system. My wife and I produced far less waste than a large family and we paid less.

Ironically, where I live now is completely on the opposite side of the spectrum. Garbage pickup is included in local taxes and they take anything. They take couches and large things. If I put something heavy out there I’ll leave a tip for the guys.

I have no choice but to use city pickup ($17/month whether I use it or not) but I’d save so much money if it was by the bag. I generate approximately one kitchen garbage bag of trash every 3 weeks

That’s just how the refuse charge works in Switzerland.