What is a transfer station?
A transfer station is where trash stops on its way to the landfill. EPA describes them as facilities where municipal solid waste is unloaded from collection vehicles and briefly held while it's reloaded onto larger long-distance vehicles — trains, trucks or barges — for shipment to a landfill. For you, it's often the closest place to drop off a load. Our directory lists 3,089 of them.
Short answer
- It's a stop, not a final destination — the trash moves on to a landfill.
- Many take loads from the public, by the bag, by the item or by weight.
- Often closer than the landfill for a small load.
- Some are residents-only and need a sticker or proof of address.
Transfer station vs. landfill vs. convenience center
- Landfill: where waste is buried for good. We list 2,492 landfills, including construction and demolition sites.
- Transfer station: where waste is consolidated and shipped on, usually to a distant landfill. EPA notes that combining many truckloads into one shipment saves communities money on transport. We list 3,089.
- Convenience center or collection station: a small drop-off with roll-off containers for residents' bags and recycling. We list 1,841. Our guide to public dumpsters covers them.
Using one
Pricing and rules vary a lot. A few examples from transfer stations we've verified:
- Wallingford, Connecticut: pay by the item in cash — $3.25 a bag of trash, $10 for a couch, $30 for a mattress; bulky loads are weighed.
- South Burlington, Vermont: from $4 for a bag up to $48 a cubic yard, plus $1 a visit.
- Chesapeake, Virginia: residents can't drop off on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday.
Check your city's page for hours, fees and residency rules, and our guide to dump hours for typical schedules.
Find a transfer station near you
Enter your city or ZIP for the nearest transfer stations, landfills and drop-offs.
Common questions
What is a transfer station?
A facility where trash is unloaded from collection trucks, briefly held, and reloaded onto larger vehicles for shipment to a landfill, as EPA describes it. Many also take loads from residents.
Can the public use a transfer station?
Many take loads from residents, by the bag, by the item or by weight. Some are residents-only and require a sticker or proof of address.
Is a transfer station the same as a dump?
Not quite. A landfill is where waste is buried; a transfer station is a stop where it's consolidated before going to the landfill. For dropping off a load, either can work.