Free dump days — when landfills waive the fee
A free dump day is a day when a city or county waives its landfill or transfer-station fee for residents, usually once or twice a year, often in spring and fall, with proof of address.
They go by many names: free dump days, free landfill days, waste amnesty days or spring cleanup weeks. If you have a big load and can wait, one of these can save you the gate fee entirely.
Short answer
- They're for residents, usually with a water bill or driver's license.
- Many happen in spring and fall, a few times a year at most.
- Household loads only — commercial waste is usually excluded.
- Dates are announced each year, so check your city or county.
Free days we've found
- Bay County, Florida: Waste Amnesty Days each spring and fall, when the tipping fee is waived for residential trash, white goods and trees.
- Oklahoma City holds two Free Landfill Days a year at four private landfills, and Muskogee holds Free Dump Days several times a year for residents who pay for city water.
- Toledo: three free disposal days a year for Lucas County residents.
- Alabama: Shelby County holds two free landfill days a year and Calhoun County four.
- Salina, Kansas: one Free Landfill Day a year for household trash from Saline County vehicles.
- Marshall, Texas: city residents bring a water bill, or a driver's license on Free Disposal Days.
- Valley County, Idaho normally holds free dump days in spring and fall.
Cleanup weeks
Some cities skip the free day and collect at the curb instead: Bountiful, Utah runs a free curbside cleanup week each spring and fall, and Fargo runs one each spring. Our guide to bulk trash pickup covers regular curbside collection, and dump hours covers the normal schedule.
Find your landfill
Enter your city or ZIP for the nearest landfills and drop-offs. Each city page lists fees and any free days we've found.