Dumps, Landfills & Recycling in Waco, Texas

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.

Waco's city landfill is out in Axtell, northeast of town, and what you pay depends on which side of the county line you live on: $52 a ton for McLennan County residents, $75 for everyone else. City residents get up to a ton free, four times a year. It closes at 11:30 on Saturdays and all day Sunday, and it requires safety gear — so timing and a hard hat matter. Here's the full rundown, plus the closer transfer station in town.

Disposal sites in Waco

City of Waco Landfill

Municipal Landfill

City of Waco Solid Waste Services

4730 TK Parkway, Axtell, TX 76624 Directions

📞 (254) 299-2489 (City of Waco)

Hours
Mon–Fri	8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday	8:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Sunday	Closed

Fees

Waco residents: up to a ton free, four times a year — bring a Waco utility bill showing residential trash service, plus photo ID
Household trash: $52 a ton for McLennan County residents, $75 for everyone else
Construction debris: $75 a ton
$20 minimum for every load
Safety gear is required at the landfill. The scale house sells a vest ($8), hard hat ($15) and glasses ($4)

Accepts: Household trash, furniture, appliances, clothing, brush, construction and demolition debris

Won't take: Paint, liquids, batteries (lead-acid, lithium, NiCd), used motor oil and filters, household hazardous waste, fluorescent bulbs, ammunition

Note the early Saturday close — 11:30 a.m. — the most common wasted trip. The landfill is out in Axtell, northeast of the city; for a small household load the transfer station below is much closer.

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City of Waco Transfer Station

Transfer Station

City of Waco Solid Waste Services

6171 S. University Parks Dr, Waco, TX 76706 Directions

📞 (254) 299-2489 (City of Waco)

Hours
Mon–Fri	6:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday	7:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Sunday	Closed

Fees

Household trash: $72 a ton

Accepts: Household trash, furniture, appliances, clothing

Won't take: Brush, yard waste or concrete — those go to the landfill. Also no paint, liquids, batteries, motor oil or other hazardous waste

In town and open longer on weekdays than the landfill. Your four free one-ton loads are a landfill benefit, so if you're using one, drive out to Axtell.

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Cobbs Recycling Center

Recycling Facility

City of Waco

4201 Trice Ave, Waco, TX 76710 Directions

📞 (254) 299-2489

Hours
Mon–Sat	8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sun	Closed

Accepts: Plastics, Glass, Metals, Paper, Used motor oil, Antifreeze, Latex paint, Bulky waste, Household batteries, CFL bulbs, Packing styrofoam, Electronics

City recycling drop-off. Call to confirm accepted materials and hours.

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City of Waco services

Bulk & brush curbside pickup

City Service

📞 (254) 299-2489

Waco collects bulky items and brush from the curb for residential customers on a schedule — often easier than the drive out to Axtell for furniture and limbs. Check waco-texas.com or call the City on (254) 299-2489 for your collection schedule and limits.

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

Getting rid of something specific in Waco?

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, check an upfront junk-removal price.

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