The cost of garbage collection is not negligible. Every residential stop of a Waste Management truck costs a Vicksburg homeowner or residential tenant $2.30. That comes to right at $240 per household per year. For a minimum wage worker, that’s approaching a week’s pay a year — just to haul off household waste.

Last week, Vicksburg officials invoked the “we have no choice” rationale for passing through yet another rate increase — from $17.89 to $19.95 per month — effective immediately. There also were increases in 2008 and in 2006. Indeed, the fee is up $5.25 per month in less than three years.

Longtime residents remember when household garbage collection was “free” as a municipal service paid for through taxes and collection was three days a week, not two. Through the years, city officials have moved the expense “off budget,” making it a separate pay item. Many times, as with this year, mayors and aldermen have been able to claim they weren’t raising taxes while at the same time demanding every household pay more for a municipal service.

The larger issue, however, is when will the cost of waste collection and disposal reach a point where incentives to reduce waste or tier bills be considered. Today, a single resident who puts one bag a week into one of the city containers pays the same as a family of six who stuffs the containers and has extra bags for every collection. Today, a young “green” couple who strives to minimize waste and recycle when possible, pays the same as those who don’t.

Across the nation, more and more towns and cities are devising and using alternative rate plans for waste. After all, a resident of a small house who uses little electricity doesn’t pay the same power bill as his neighbor in a palace with a pool, big air conditioners and such.

Vicksburg may not yet be ready for “metered” garbage collection. But the cost people are paying is no longer incidental. If the hikes keep coming, City Hall will be expected to come up with a more equitable plan.