What it costs to dump in Indiana: 2026 fees by county
In Indiana the price depends on the county: free household trash in Lawrence County, a free small load a day in Bartholomew County, $25.60 a ton in Daviess and Washington counties and $60 in Elkhart County. Private landfills in the bigger cities don't post their rates.
2026 cost to dump in Indiana, place by place
| Place | Small load | Bigger loads | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence County (Bedford) | Free household trash from county homes | C&D $55.50 a ton; business trash $50 | Scales close 20 minutes early |
| Bartholomew County (Columbus) | Free under 200 lbs, one load a day | $39 a ton ($40 in 2027) | Tarp it or pay a surcharge |
| Washington County (Salem) | No per-ton fee listed for household trash | $25.60 a ton for haulers and demolition; $20 minimum | County trash only |
| Daviess County | $2 a bag with a tag | $25.60 a ton; $15 minimum | Cash or check only |
| Elkhart County | 3 bags free on Wednesdays (residents) | $30 up to 1,000 lbs, then $60 a ton | $100 a ton from farther away |
| Fort Wayne | 311 bulk pickup for city homes | Gate rates not posted | Call Republic Services |
Rates verified from each operator's own published pages, October 2026. Tires, appliances and construction debris cost extra almost everywhere. Confirm with the site before a big load.
Find a landfill near you
Enter your city or ZIP for the nearest disposal sites across Indiana, then open your city's page for its exact hours, fees and what it accepts.
Why prices vary in Indiana
Every Indiana county belongs to a solid waste management district, and many districts run their own landfill, transfer station or drop-off sites and set their own prices. That's why the cost swings so much from one county to the next: Lawrence County charges nothing for household trash from county homes, Washington County lists no per-ton fee for it, and Bartholomew County charges $39 a ton above a free 200-pound load.
Many of the big landfills are private. Republic Services' National Serv-All Landfill takes Fort Wayne's trash, and private companies own landfills across much of the state. They set their own prices and generally don't post them, so call first.
Free and nearly free options
- Lawrence County takes household trash from county homes free at its Bedford transfer station and eight rural collection stations.
- Bartholomew County takes one load under 200 pounds a day free at its landfill south of Columbus.
- Elkhart County residents can drop off 3 bags free on Wednesdays, and leaves are free any day.
- Fort Wayne households can schedule a 311 bulk pickup for furniture, plastic-wrapped mattresses and appliances without Freon.
The catches that cost people money
- Coming from the wrong county. Elkhart County charges $100 a ton for loads from beyond the county and its neighbors, Washington County fines out-of-county trash $100 a ton, and Daviess County takes Daviess County waste only.
- Paying by card. The Daviess County Landfill takes cash, checks and pre-approved accounts only.
- Uncovered loads. Elkhart County fines uncovered loads $20 to $40 and turns away repeat offenders; Bartholomew County adds a surcharge.
- Showing up late. Lawrence County's scales close 20 minutes before the gate does.
What Indiana law keeps out of the trash
Indiana's solid waste rules (329 IAC 10-9-2) bar municipal landfills from taking whole waste tires, lead-acid batteries, mercury switches, untreated infectious waste, most hazardous waste, and appliances or car air conditioners whose refrigerant hasn't been removed. Yard waste is limited too: it's allowed only from homes or properly bagged, and many county landfills refuse it entirely. Indiana Code 13-20-14-1 bans whole tires from landfills, and stores that sell new tires must take used ones one for one.
Under the state's e-waste law (Indiana Code 13-20.5), households, small businesses and schools can't put TVs, computer monitors, computers, printers, e-readers, DVD players and other electronics in trash headed for a landfill or incinerator. Indiana has no paint stewardship (PaintCare) or mattress recycling law.