Bloomington’s updated Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) garbage rates are officially here for 2026, and smaller carts now mean bigger savings.
Currently, garbage carts are available in 35-, 65- and 95-gallon sizes. The PAYT system continues to charge less for smaller garbage carts, but in 2026 the price differences between cart sizes widen significantly. A new every-other-week service option for the smallest (35-gallon) cart is also available, offering an even lower-cost choice for households that generate very little trash.
These changes follow a comprehensive rate study and resident engagement in 2024. The goal is to encourage waste reduction and keep future costs down by diverting more material into recycling and organics. Garbage disposal fees are rising much faster than recycling and composting costs, so strengthening PAYT now helps protect residents from steeper increases later.
Here’s what the new rates mean for you:
Downsizing pays off. Switching from a 95-gallon to a 65-gallon cart, or from a 65-gallon to a 35-gallon cart, could save nearly $10 per month.
Smaller carts, bigger savings. Choosing the 35-gallon cart with every-other-week pickup saves about 30% compared to 2025 rates.
Staying with the largest cart costs more. A 95-gallon weekly cart now costs about 32% more under the new structure.
Households that usually have modest trash volumes can downsize and still handle occasional extra waste by setting out extra bags for $6.24 each (including taxes). For many residents, this approach costs less overall than keeping a larger cart year-round.
About 30% of household trash is compostable and all homes already pay for access to organics recycling.
Learn more about the 2026 rates and service options at blm.mn/garbage or change your cart size at blm.mn/carts.
