McKinney dump & transfer station drop-off

Q: What's the difference between a landfill and a dump?

In everyday use people say "the dump," but a modern landfill is an engineered, permitted site with liners and monitoring. A transfer station is a smaller site where waste is collected and hauled to a landfill. Both take household junk; a transfer or collection station is often closer and quicker for small loads.

McKinney doesn't have a city landfill — residents use the Custer Road Transfer Station, run by the North Texas Municipal Water District, and you get two free visits a month. The paperwork rule here is stricter than most: your water bill has to be dated within the last 30 days AND the address must match your driver's license. Show up with an old bill and you'll pay. Here's how it works, plus the vehicle types that don't qualify for free disposal.

Your two free monthly visits — and the 30-day rule

The first TWO visits per household per month are free for McKinney residents.
STRICT PAPERWORK: you need a valid Texas driver's license AND a City of McKinney water bill (showing solid waste services) dated within the last 30 DAYS. The address on the license must match the bill. An older bill won't do.
Vehicle matters: if you arrive in a dump trailer, stake bed truck, or box truck, you pay for disposal regardless of your free visits.
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Curbside bulky limits: items should fit within roughly 3.5 ft tall × 3 ft deep × 9 ft long, OR you can put out two large household pieces.
You may be charged a disposal fee for an excessive number of bulky items, or if you schedule more than 12 collections in a calendar year.
Household hazardous waste and e-waste are handled separately — see below, they don't go to the transfer station with your trash.

Disposal sites in McKinney

Custer Road Transfer Station

Transfer Station

North Texas Municipal Water District

Hours
Mon–Sat	8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday	Closed

Fees

McKinney residents: first 2 visits per household per month FREE
Requires Texas driver's license + City of McKinney water bill dated within 30 days, addresses matching
Dump trailers, stake bed trucks and box trucks: pay for disposal regardless of free visits
Beyond 2 visits/month: standard disposal charges apply

Accepts: Household trash, Bulky items

Won't take: Household hazardous waste, E-waste, Commercial loads under the free program

Operated by the North Texas Municipal Water District rather than the City of McKinney. Bring a water bill less than 30 days old — this is the most common reason residents get charged.

Ostend Landfill

Municipal Landfill

A permitted landfill in the McKinney area on state records. Most McKinney residents are directed to the Custer Road Transfer Station for household drop-offs instead — call before heading here.

City of McKinney services

Household hazardous waste & e-waste

City Service

Paint, chemicals, batteries and electronics don't go to the transfer station. McKinney runs a separate Household Hazardous Waste and E-Waste program — check mckinneytexas.org for the current drop-off location, hours, and whether you need an appointment.

Curbside bulky pickup — and the 12-collection cap

City Service

Bulky items are collected curbside within roughly 3.5 ft × 3 ft × 9 ft, or two large pieces. Worth knowing: you may be charged if you schedule more than 12 bulky collections in a calendar year, or put out an excessive number of items at once.

See every disposal site nearby: Landfills & dumps in Collin County →

Getting rid of something specific in McKinney?

Common questions

Does it cost anything to dump at a landfill?

Usually yes. Most Texas landfills charge by weight (a per-ton gate rate) or by the load, and many cities give residents a discount or a set number of free drop-offs if you can show a current utility bill. Small transfer and collection stations sometimes take household trash for free. Exact fees are listed per facility above.

What's the difference between a landfill and a dump?

In everyday use people say "the dump," but a modern landfill is an engineered, permitted site with liners and monitoring. A transfer station is a smaller site where waste is collected and hauled to a landfill. Both take household junk; a transfer or collection station is often closer and quicker for small loads.

What's the cheapest way to get rid of junk for free?

Check whether your city offers free bulk-trash pickup on a set week, use county household-hazardous-waste and cleanup events, and give away usable items. For a landfill drop-off, bring proof of residency to get resident rates. If it's more than you can move yourself, a junk-removal quote is often cheaper than multiple trips plus gate fees.

How do I get rid of large or heavy items?

Bulky items — furniture, appliances, mattresses, construction debris — either go to the landfill (often for an extra per-item fee) or get hauled by a junk-removal service. If you'd rather not rent a truck and pay gate fees, get a quick quote and compare.

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