08 Mar Waste Less, Save More: Understanding Pay-As-You-Throw
Pay-As-You-Throw Explained
A big shift in waste management is on the way for the Town of Jackson, and it could mean both cost savings and environmental benefits.
A Pay-As-You-Throw ordinance will take effect on August 1, 2025, changing the way trash is paid for and collected in Jackson. Instead of a flat fee, residents and businesses will pay based on the amount of waste they generate — a model that has already proven successful in thousands of communities nationwide.
To help residents and businesses understand the transition, the new incentive program will be the subject of the next Sustainability Series event, “Waste Less, Save More: Pay-As-You-Throw Explained” on Tuesday, March 11, at 5:30 p.m. in Teton County Library’s Ordway Auditorium. The talk is being hosted by Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities, Riverwind Foundation, Energy Conservation Works and Teton County Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling as part of the ongoing Sustainability Series talks, educational events and networking opportunities.
Tanya Anderson, the Town of Jackson’s Ecosystem Stewardship Administrator, will provide an overview of the new trash system, explain how it can help reduce waste and lower costs, and answer questions from attendees. No RSVP is required, and childcare will be available.
Discussions about implementing a Pay-As-You-Throw system in the valley began more than a decade ago as part of a broader effort to manage waste more sustainably. With a growing population and increasing tourism, the volume of trash produced in Teton County has continued to rise, along with the costs of hauling waste more than 100 miles to the landfill in Bonneville County, Idaho.
More than 7,000 communities across the U.S. have adopted Pay-As-You-Throw programs, using a pricing model similar to utilities like water and electricity, where costs are based on usage. The idea is simple: The less trash produced, the lower the cost. Trash haulers will offer multiple cart sizes and collection schedules, giving households and businesses flexibility to choose a service that fits their needs.
The results speak for themselves in terms of increases in recycling and reductions in the amount of materials congesting landfills. In Fort Collins, Colorado, for example, participation in residential recycling jumped from 53% to 79% within a year of implementing a similar system in 1996.
“This system gives people more control over their waste costs while encouraging sustainable choices,” said Becky Kiefer, Teton County Superintendent of Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling. “It’s a practical step toward reducing landfill waste and lowering carbon emissions.”
Contacts: Tanya Anderson, Town of Jackson, TAnderson@jacksonwy.gov
Cindy Harger, Teton County Integrated Solid Waste & Recycling, charger@tetoncountywy.gov