West Lafayette delays switch to metered trash pickup

A central Indiana city is delaying a move to a new "pay as you throw" garbage collection system that requires residents to shell out more money if they toss out lots of trash.

The proposal won initial approval from the West Lafayette City Council, but members tabled the ordinance for five months to fine tune the idea.

Under the proposal, the flat trash rate would include 52 stickers for residents to put on 32-gallon trash containers or bags. Extra stickers could be bought for $3 each if residents need to throw away more trash or toss larger items like couches that require several stickers.

Supporters say the plan would encourage people to recycle, but opponents worry that those trying to avoid fees would simply dump trash around the city.