The Vogel Disposal Services bill of a Penn Township resident lists the company's new fuel surcharge.

Residential customers of Vogel Disposal Service whose accounts are not tied to a municipal contract with the refuse hauler noticed a $3 difference in their latest quarterly bill.

A $3 “fuel surcharge” was listed on residential bills right below the $75 charge to haul garbage and recycling from each customer’s residence.

An explanation atop the bill states that “this bill reflects an increase due to rising operating costs” plus an alert that Vogel’s website contains immediate job openings.

While customers may grouse about the increase at a time when so many costs are rising, company vice president Edward R. Vogel explained that the modest charge was necessary.

“Fuel costs went up as you know, and our costs doubled in the last year,” Vogel said Thursday.

He said Vogel has absorbed 10 increases for engine oil in the last year and four to six increases in tire prices.

The company has about 200 refuse and recycling trucks.

“Also, we’ve increased the wages of our employees,” Vogel said. “We’ve seen bigger increases (in labor rates) than we ever have.”

The fuel surcharge is the first in the company’s 54-year history.

“It’s just too much at this point,” Vogel said.

Vogel said he was adamant that the charge appeared separately on customers’ bills and not simply as a $3 increase.

“I prefer that people know what their bill is going to be,” he said.

If and when fuel prices decrease and the general market stabilizes, Vogel said company officials will take another look at the surcharge.

“We will definitely re-evaluate it,” he said. “I’ve never liked the extra charges. I’ve always been hesitant.”

Commercial customers saw a fuel surcharge of 10%.

Vogel said he had no choice but to add a surcharge, given the dramatic increase in gas and diesel fuel.

“It’s a problem,” he said. “I think everyone is feeling it.”