(La Porte County, IN) - The cost of recycling collection in La Porte County is going up.

Monthly rates for curbside pick-up at homes are increasing by $2 and $1.50 for businesses.  La Porte County Solid Waste District officials said the extra revenue, estimated at more than $800,000 from the fee increase, will bring the cost of providing the service to more of a break-even point.

LPCSW Director Clay Turner said a surplus built from tipping fees once collected from the landfill along Interstate 94 outside Michigan City has nearly been exhausted since those dollars no longer come in since the landfill closed years ago.  The surplus has been relied on to supplement daily operating costs.   He said there have been few, if any, complaints about the increase since the request was made several weeks ago.

The rate hike amounts to a 50-percent increase.