I'm not much a defender of capitalism, the abuses have become rampant over the past few decades. But the general idea is sound.

But talk like this is also a problem. No, hell no, your garbage collection is not free. What makes you think that? Just because you don't get a bill?

I have two options in my hood. Competition keeps 'em honest, keeps prices low. If I charged my neighbor her half, it's $17.50/mo. It's so cheap I just let her use my cans for free. (EDIT: Noticed they raised it since my last comment. $50 for two cans, twice a week pick up. $25 bucks each household.)

So be honest, how much do you really pay? The amount is surely itemized somewhere in your local taxes. In any case you can look it up. I showed you mine, show me yours.

I made another post here. Be curious how your experience differs from mine. Maybe counterintuitive, but I've found private trash collection to be more environmentally friendly, for the reasons I gave above.