That's because Portland has long operated under what the industry terms a "pay as you throw" plan, charging consumers by volume of waste placed at curbside.

WSJ: Portland Creates Buzz by Cutting Garbage Pickups

When the British government offered them money to experiment with pay-as-you-throw schemes earlier this year, not one signed up.

ECONOMIST: Less is more

Ministers are currently passing legislation to get rid of the previous Labour government's policy of offering councils the chance to take part in pilot "pay-as-you-throw" schemes which charge households which create the most rubbish.

BBC: Council rubbish bin collection fines to be scrapped