Landfill Tipping Fee & Waste Disposal Cost Calculator

How it works

Tons = yd³ × density ÷ 2,000; tipping = max(minimum, tons × fee) per load; total = tipping × (1 + surcharge) + loads × hauling; split = recyclable t × recycler fee + rest × landfill fee

Disposal is billed by the ton at the scale house but planned by the cubic yard on site, so the conversion through material density is the first step in any waste budget — a yard of mixed debris weighs a sixth of a ton, a yard of concrete a full ton. On top of the gate fee come minimum charges that punish small loads, fuel and environmental surcharges, and the cost of the truck and driver for every trip, which often exceeds the tipping fee itself for small haulers. Separating streams that a recycler or inert facility accepts at a lower rate is the main lever, as long as the volumes are large enough to clear each facility's minimum; the second lever is simply fewer, fuller loads.

Worked example

40 yd³ of mixed C&D debris is about 7 tons; three loads to a $75/t landfill cost $525 in tipping, $567 with an 8% surcharge, plus $450 of hauling — $1,017, or $25 per cubic yard. Sending the 60% that is wood, metal and cardboard to a $30/t recycler cuts the bill to about $813, saving $200.

Frequently asked questions