As municipalities work to form budgets this year, considering programs like pay-as-you-throw trash disposal is the responsible way to go. Many town leaders have trimmed their budgets as far as they can and are trying to find ways to increase revenues without increasing property tax bills.

A pay-as-you-throw program enacted by the Sanford Council in March drew swift opposition as more than 1,000 signatures were collected within a few weeks to force a November vote to overturn the decision. The proposal projects to bring in $1 million for the town, and officials hope to increase recycling from about 10 percent currently to 40 percent.

If the program is overturned, the town will have to consider other cuts or tax increases to make up the difference, and it’s likely the town’s below-average recycling rate will stay where it is.

The program is scheduled to go into effect on July 12 in Sanford. Residents will have to purchase trash bags at $1.25 for a 15-gallon bag or $2 for a 33-gallon bag.

In addition to increasing revenues, towns that switch to pay-as-you-throw programs typically see increases in recycling, according to the State Planning Office.

Planner Lana Laplant said the City of Brunswick, for example, saw a spike in recycling after a pay-as-you-throw system was implemented. In 2006, the city had a recycling rate of 56 percent, and after the program start in 2007, the rate increased to 69 percent for the year. Laplant said state studies show if recycling rates do not increase within four years of implementing a pay-as-you-throw program, municipalities will typically not see an increase after that period of time.

Increasing revenues and increasing recycling rates is a win-win for towns and residents. Without current proposals, towns would have to make up budget gaps by increasing property taxes or further cutting services for residents.

The town of Waterboro has taken an even better approach by offering to dispose a bag of trash per week for free for residents. Under the proposal headed to voters on June 8, residents would receive 52 tags to affix on their trash bags and additional tags would be available for $1 apiece. Under this scenario, residents who are mindful of their trash disposal and recycle as much as they can could end up paying nothing in trash disposal fees. Those who choose not to recycle and put out more trash would have to pay the price.

In addition to increasing revenue, when town increase recycling they pay for less trash disposal, thereby decreasing costs.

According to Waterboro Selectmen Chairman Dennis Abbott, the town saves $88 in tipping fees per ton of material that is recycled, he told Journal Tribune Reporter Tammy Wells. If the town’s recycling rate increases by the seven to 10 points projected, that would be a $100,000 in annual savings, he said.

While many cuts are decided by boards of selectmen and city councils, pay-as-you-throw programs could have minimal to no impact to area residents if they choose to be responsible citizens and recycle. Between paper, plastic, glass, cardboard and compost, many people who already recycle see they do not have a lot left to dispose of after exhausting recycling efforts.

As voters head to Town Meeting and the polls to decide on the issue, they should keep in mind the positive effects of pay-as-you-throw programs like increased recycling, and what the cost could be when town officials need to balance their budgets.