Municipal waste charges cover costs related to the establishment, maintenance, decommissioning and clean-up of waste treatment facilities, and the transportation of wastes.
Source: UNCSD Secretariat (2010) Questionnaire for the Member States on Experiences, Success Factors, Risks and Challenges with Regard to Objective and Themes of UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD)

Waste charges are intended to reduce the amounts of waste generated and the consequent risks, and to encourage waste recovery. Many municipalities set lower charges for sorted wastes and for wastes that can be recovered than for unrecoverable mixed wastes.

Waste charges are payable by waste holders. Rates containing detailed specifications are set by municipalities. Charges include transportation and waste treatment fees. In 2007 the average municipal waste treatment fee was 102 per tonne of waste (incl. VAT), with rates varying locally between 76 and 156 per tonne. The treatment fee for biowaste averaged ? 68 per tonne.