PORTLAND — The value of recycled waste has dropped sharply in the past year, and Portland area taxpayers are likely to pay more for their recycling efforts.

The Portland Press Herald reports (bit.ly/1MfYX4O) that recycled cans worth $184 a ton at ecomaine a year ago dropped in value to $63 a ton at the start of the year.

Similarly, the grade of plastic used for salad dressing, peanut butter and other contains dropped in value from $240 to $160 a ton.

ecomaine is a non-profit waste management company operated by 20 municipalities in southern Maine that serves more than 335,000 residents.

The newspaper says ecomaine’s revenues have dropped $3 million in the past three years, increasing the odds that Greater Portland residents will be paying more to dispose of waste next year.