Plano 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.

Plano has no city landfill of its own. Instead residents use the North Texas Municipal Water District transfer stations — Custer Road and Parkway — and you get two free drop-offs a month as part of your Environmental Waste Services account. After that it's $20 a cubic yard with a $60 minimum, which climbs fast, so the free visits are worth planning around. Here's how it works and what to bring.

Your two free monthly drop-offs

Plano Environmental Waste Services (EWS) residential customers get TWO FREE drop-offs per month at NTMWD transfer stations.
Bring a valid driver's license AND a current Plano utility bill showing solid waste services. Both are required.
Beyond the two free visits: $20.00 per cubic yard with a $60.00 MINIMUM. That minimum means a small third trip costs $60 — worth waiting for next month's free allowance if you can.
Hours at both stations: Monday–Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Sunday.
Two locations: Custer Road Transfer Station at 9901 Custer Rd in Plano, and the Parkway Transfer Station.
Separately, the city runs bulky waste collection from the curb twice a month for a fee — often easier than loading a truck.
Questions: (972) 769-4150 or EWSCustomerService@Plano.gov.

Disposal sites in Plano

Custer Road Transfer Station

Transfer Station

North Texas Municipal Water District

9901 Custer Rd, Plano, TX Directions

📞 (972) 769-4150

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

Fees

Plano EWS residents: first 2 drop-offs per month FREE
Additional visits: $20.00 per cubic yard, $60.00 minimum
Requires valid driver's license + current Plano utility bill showing solid waste services

Accepts: Household trash, Bulky items

Won't take: Household hazardous waste, Commercial loads under the resident program

The main drop-off point for Plano residents. Operated by NTMWD, not the City — the same station McKinney residents use, so expect company on a Saturday.

Parkway Transfer Station

Transfer Station

North Texas Municipal Water District

📞 (972) 769-4150

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

Fees

Plano EWS residents: counts toward your 2 free monthly drop-offs
Additional visits: $20.00 per cubic yard, $60.00 minimum

Accepts: Household trash, Bulky items

The second NTMWD option for Plano residents. Call (972) 769-4150 to confirm the address and current hours before heading over.

City of Plano services

Bulky waste curbside collection — twice a month

City Service

Plano collects bulky items too large for your cart from the curb twice a month, for a fee. For a single couch or mattress this often beats loading a truck and burning one of your free transfer-station visits. Call (972) 769-4150 or email EWSCustomerService@Plano.gov to schedule.

Do the math on visit three

City Service

The $60 minimum on paid visits is the thing to plan around. Two free drop-offs a month is generous, but a third trip in the same month costs at least $60 regardless of how little you bring. If your cleanout can be split across a month boundary, split it.

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

Getting rid of something specific in Plano?

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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