MIDDLEBORO — Residents will pay more to get rid of their trash starting Jan. 1, Select Board members decided at their Monday, Nov. 14 meeting.

The cost of a trash barrel and recycling barrel will increase from $51 per quarter to $89.25 per quarter.

Residents who opt to use trash bags sold at area stores instead of town-sponsored barrels will also see an increase.

The current cost of a roll of five small yellow bags is now $7.50. This will increase to $13.

The cost of a roll of five larger bags, which is now $15, will go to $26.25.

These increases reflect the rising cost of fuel, labor and trash disposal, Department of Public Works Director Christopher Peck said. 

The trash collection costs have not changed since 2005, when they actually decreased by $1, Peck said.

The town picks up trash each week and recycling every other week.

The cost of a second trash barrel, which would allow residents to toss out more trash each week, will now be $51 per quarter. The second barrel used to be $25.

The price for a second recycling barrel will remain at a $50 one-time fee. The cost did not increase, select board chair Mark Germain said, in an effort to encourage people to recycle. 

The town asked residents to follow the single-stream recycling rules, Germain said, which benefits the town and the environment. Rules are shown on top of the bin.