📘 Know Your Dump
Landfill, transfer station, recycling center or hazardous waste site? Here is what each one is for, so you go to the right place the first time.
Landfill
Where trash is buried for good. Landfills usually take the widest range of materials and often charge by weight on a scale. Many have a separate area for self-haul customers so you never drive onto the active face.
Transfer Station
A collection point closer to town. You unload, and the station sorts out recyclables and trucks the rest to a landfill. Usually the quickest stop for a pickup load of junk, furniture or yard waste. Many charge by the cubic yard or by the load.
Recycling Center
Takes specific materials like green waste, wood, metal, concrete or dirt, often for less than mixed trash. Some do not take household garbage at all, so check the list before you go.
Hazardous Waste Drop-Off
Paint, motor oil, batteries, pesticides, cleaners and fluorescent bulbs. Usually free for residents of the area it serves, often by appointment, with limits on how much you can bring. Landfills and transfer stations usually turn these items away.
🧰 Before You Load the Truck
- ✅Separate your load. Mixed loads usually pay the highest rate, and clean green waste or metal often costs less.
- ✅Cover and tie down your load. Many facilities charge extra for uncovered loads.
- ✅Bring ID and a utility bill if the facility has resident rates.
- ✅Mattresses, tires and appliances often have their own per-item fee.
- ✅Call ahead. Hours change on holidays, and some sites close the gate before the posted time.
🔎 Find One Near You
⛰️ Contra Costa County🌉 Alameda County🌾 Solano County🍇 Napa County🌁 San Francisco County🌊 San Mateo County💻 Santa Clara County🌳 Marin County🍷 Sonoma County🏛️ Sacramento County🌻 Yolo County⛏️ Placer County🍇 San Joaquin County🌊 Santa Cruz County🌾 Kern County🌴 Los Angeles County🏜️ San Bernardino County🏜️ Riverside County🍊 Orange County🏖️ San Diego County🌰 Butte County🏞️ Mariposa County🌽 Stanislaus County⛏️ Nevada County🌾 Tehama County🍓 Ventura County🏝️ Santa Barbara County🦦 Monterey County🍇 Fresno County🥛 Tulare County🏔️ Buncombe County🍎 Henderson County💦 Transylvania County🏙️ Mecklenburg County🌲 Haywood County🪨 Rutherford County🌄 McDowell County🐴 Polk County🌿 Madison County🏞️ Burke County🌳 Cleveland County🪑 Caldwell County🎿 Avery County🪨 Mitchell County⛰️ Yancey County💎 Macon County⛰️ Jackson County🏛️ Wake County🏙️ Durham County🎓 Orange County🌲 Chatham County🏡 Franklin County🌾 Harnett County🏭 Forsyth County🛋️ Guilford County🍖 Davidson County🚂 Rowan County🎖️ Cumberland County🌳 Union County🏁 Cabarrus County🐄 Iredell County🧵 Gaston County🧵 Catawba County🚜 Johnston County⚓ New Hanover County🎖️ Onslow County🏥 Pitt County⛏️ Calaveras CountyWhat They Take
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