READING, Pa. – Residents in Reading could see an increase in trash and recycling fees in 2027.
During Monday night’s meeting, Reading City Council introduced an ordinance that will increase the trash and recycling fees by 4.5%.
As part of the city’s contract with Republic Services, the user fee will increase to $413.87 from the current $395.91 per unit.
The new monthly charge in 2027 will be $34.49 per month — up from $32.99 in 2026.
Meeting documents indicate that the 2027 rate for solid waste would actually decrease from $273.03 to $260. However, the “clean city” fee is set to increase by almost a dollar, while the recycling fee will increase by $30.
In total, trash and recycling costs for 2027 will be nearly $18 more per household compared to 2026.
Also, the prices for additional recycling receptacles are set to increase from $67.50 to $70.88 for a 65-gallon cart and from $53 to $54.59 for a 35-gallon cart.
The original five-year contract with Republic runs from 2022-26; 2027 is the first of two potential one-year extensions.
Council will vote on the ordinance in two weeks and could discuss the matter at an upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting.
Council does not discuss proposed ordinances at meetings when they are introduced.