Whether you rented one of our dump trailers or loaded up a pickup, the last step is the same: getting the load somewhere that will take it. The valley has a few public options, and the right one depends on where you live and what you're hauling.
Rates, hours, and resident programs change. Always confirm with the facility before you drive out, especially on Saturdays and holidays.
Public drop-off options at a glance
| Facility | Where | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| 27th Avenue Transfer Station (City of Phoenix) | 3060 S. 27th Ave., Phoenix 85009 | Open to the public by weight. Phoenix residents get one free load per month up to one ton. |
| North Gateway Transfer Station (City of Phoenix) | 30205 N. Black Canyon Hwy., Phoenix 85085 (I-17 at Dixileta Dr.) | Same rates and resident program as 27th Ave. Closed Sundays. |
| Salt River Landfill | Off the Beeline Hwy (SR 87), Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, east of Scottsdale | Scottsdale residents can self-haul up to 2,000 lb once a week with a utility bill and ID. |
| Glendale Municipal Landfill | 11480 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale | Public loads by weight; reduced rate for Glendale residential customers. |
| Northwest Regional Landfill (WM) | 19401 W. Deer Valley Rd., Surprise 85387 | Takes household trash, construction debris, and yard waste. Call for current rates. |
The City of Phoenix SR 85 Landfill in Buckeye is not open to the public.
City of Phoenix transfer stations
Phoenix runs two transfer stations that accept self-haul loads: 27th Avenue in south Phoenix and North Gateway off I-17 in the north valley. The city's rate schedule lists a gate rate of $55 per ton for trash, with a minimum charge per load. Clean green waste such as branches and palm fronds is charged at a lower rate, so it can pay to keep it separate from the rest of your load.
If you pay for City of Phoenix trash service, you can drop off one load of up to one ton each calendar month at no charge. Bring your current city services bill and a photo ID with the matching name and address. You may still be asked to weigh in and out.
Avoid the uncovered-load fee
Phoenix charges an extra fee for loads that aren't covered or tied down, on top of the per-ton rate. Tarp and strap your trailer before you leave. It's also the law on Arizona highways.
East Valley: Salt River Landfill
The Salt River Landfill sits on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community east of Scottsdale and serves much of the East Valley. Scottsdale residential customers can haul up to 2,000 pounds of trash, brush, or bulk there once a week by showing a current Scottsdale utility bill and a driver's license. Everyone else pays by weight.
West Valley: Glendale and Northwest Regional
Glendale's municipal landfill on Glendale Avenue accepts public loads by weight, with a reduced rate for Glendale residential trash customers. Further northwest, WM's Northwest Regional Landfill in Surprise takes household trash, construction and demolition debris, and yard waste.
Bulk trash pickup: when it works and when it doesn't
Most valley cities run a bulk trash program, but the rules have tightened. Phoenix switched to appointment-only collection, with four pickups per household per year and a 10-cubic-yard pile limit. Mesa charges per load for bulk pickup. Peoria limits free collections each year. Scottsdale and Glendale run on neighborhood schedules you have to time your pile around.
Bulk trash is great for a small pile when your date lines up. It doesn't help when the pile is bigger than the limit, when the items are still inside the house, or when you can't wait weeks. That's where full-service junk removal or a dump trailer rental comes in. See the bulk trash rules for Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Glendale, and Peoria.
Tips for a faster dump run
- Load heavy items like concrete and dirt low and over the axle, and stay under your trailer's weight rating.
- Keep clean green waste, clean concrete, and metal separate. They're often cheaper to drop or can be recycled.
- Go early. Weekday mornings are the quietest at most facilities; Saturdays get long lines.
- Bring your city utility bill and ID if you're using a resident program.
- With a dump trailer, the hydraulic bed does the unloading. No shoveling at the tipping floor.