How much does it cost to go to the dump?
Landfills charge by the ton, and the US average for household trash was about $57 per ton in 2023, ranging from about $43 in the Southeast to $84 in the Northeast. Most sites also have a minimum charge for small loads, so a pickup of junk often costs the minimum rather than the per-ton rate. Heavy materials like concrete add up fast: a cubic yard weighs about 860 pounds.
Landfills and transfer stations by area
Estimate your load
Pick the material, your region, and the size of the pile. The estimator converts volume to weight with EPA factors, then applies average regional landfill fees.
Average landfill fees by region
The Environmental Research & Education Foundation surveys landfill tipping fees nationwide. Average fees for municipal solid waste in 2023:1
| Region | Average per ton |
|---|---|
| Northeast | $84.44 |
| Pacific | $62.28 |
| Midwest | $57.24 |
| Mountains and Plains | $49.86 |
| South Central | $45.25 |
| Southeast | $43.18 |
| US average | $56.80 |
These are averages for household trash at landfills. Transfer stations, construction debris landfills, yard waste sites and recyclers set their own prices.
How much your stuff weighs
Fees follow weight, so material matters more than how full the truck looks. EPA conversion factors:2
| Material | Weight |
|---|---|
| Concrete | 860 lbs per cubic yard |
| Asphalt | 773 lbs per cubic yard |
| Drywall | 467 lbs per cubic yard |
| Mixed construction debris | 417 lbs per cubic yard |
| Household trash (loose) | 250 to 300 lbs per cubic yard |
| Mixed yard waste (loose) | 250 lbs per cubic yard |
| Lumber and scrap wood | 169 lbs per cubic yard |
| Brush | 127 lbs per cubic yard |
| Refrigerator | 250 lbs each |
| Washer or stove | 150 lbs each |
| Car tire | 22.5 lbs each |
A cubic yard is a 3 by 3 by 3 foot pile. To get cubic yards, multiply length by width by height in feet and divide by 27.
Where each material should go
The landfill isn't always the cheapest or the right place. Recyclers often charge less for clean loads.
- Household trash, furniture → Landfill or transfer station
- Concrete, brick, lumber, drywall → C&D recycler or C&D landfill
- Brush, leaves, branches → Compost or yard waste site
- Paint, chemicals, batteries → Household hazardous waste event or site
- Tires → Tire recycler or transfer station
- Appliances, scrap metal → Scrap yard or transfer station
Ways to pay less
- Sort the load. Clean concrete, brush and metal often cost less at a recycler than mixed trash at a landfill.
- Combine trips. If the site has a minimum fee, one fuller load beats two light ones.
- Check resident programs. Many towns offer free or discounted drop-off days, yard waste sites and bulk pickup.
- Ask about scrap value. Scrap yards may pay for appliances and metal.
- Call first. Ask the per-ton rate, the minimum, and what they refuse.
Landfills and transfer stations by area
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Common questions
How much does it cost to go to the dump?
Landfills usually charge by weight. The US average for household trash was $56.80 per ton in 2023, and most sites have a minimum fee for small loads. Call your local facility for its exact rates.
How much does a pickup truck load cost at the dump?
It depends on what's in it. A pickup of light junk often weighs only a few hundred pounds and pays the minimum fee. The same truck full of concrete or dirt can weigh well over a ton.
Is the dump cheaper than a dumpster rental?
For one or two light loads, usually yes. For a big cleanout or heavy debris like roofing or concrete, a dumpster or junk removal can save trips and time. Compare both.
Why do landfills charge more in the Northeast?
Higher land costs, fewer landfills and longer hauling distances all push fees up. The Northeast averaged $84.44 per ton in 2023, the highest in the country.
Do recycling centers charge less?
Often. Clean concrete, brush and scrap metal frequently cost less to drop at a recycler than at a landfill, and scrap yards may even pay you for metal.
Sources
- Analyzing Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Tipping Fees (2023 data) Environmental Research & Education Foundation
- Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (April 2016) US EPA