Madison Dump Fees & Landfill Guide for Junk Removal Operators

Dane County Rodefeld Landfill is the only public MSW facility in the Madison metro with verified posted rates. At $60.10/ton for loads over 2,000 lbs, it tracks close to the national average of $62/ton. The flat-fee bracket system is what makes this market unique: 0⁠–⁠500 lbs costs $15.03, 501⁠–⁠1,000 lbs costs $30.05, 1,001⁠–⁠1,500 lbs costs $45.08, and 1,501⁠–⁠2,000 lbs costs $60.10. Operators who consolidate two 400-lb loads into one 800-lb trip pay $30.05 instead of $30.06 — but more importantly save an entire round trip in drive time, fuel, and labor.

• Consolidate small jobs to fill each 500-lb bracket — a 501-lb load costs the same $30.05 as a 1,000-lb load, cutting per-pound cost nearly in half
• WM and GFL transfer stations do not publish rates — Dane County Landfill is the only verified public pricing in the market
• Mattresses and non-Freon appliances are included at the standard MSW rate with no per-item surcharge at the Dane County Landfill

Dane County operates a dedicated C&D Recycling Facility adjacent to the Rodefeld Landfill on the same campus — weigh-in happens at the same scale house. C&D recycling at $58.00/ton is $2.10 cheaper per ton than MSW disposal at $60.10/ton. Loads must contain at least 50% recyclable content (clean wood, metal, cardboard, aggregate, sorted shingles) to qualify for the C&D rate. Loads under 50% recyclable are redirected to the landfill at the higher MSW rate. The C&D Recycling Facility is operated by Landfill Reduction & Recycling, LLC under a public-private partnership with Dane County.

Clean shingles at $65.00/ton are the most commonly encountered specialty rate — significantly more than standard C&D at $58/ton. Yard waste and clean brush/logs cost $40.00/ton, offering real savings versus the $60.10/ton MSW rate for operators who separate green waste on the truck. Food scraps cost $58.00/ton. Tires run $350.00/ton (approximately $4⁠–⁠$6 per standard passenger tire) and must be off the rim — truck tires over 20 inches must be cut into 2-foot sections. Asbestos disposal at $82.10/ton is restricted to the first Wednesday of each month only, 7:00 AM–1:00 PM, by permit.

Wisconsin bans electronics from landfill disposal under Act 50 — TVs, computers, and monitors must go through E-Cycle Wisconsin collectors or Dane County Clean Sweep ($15/unit for residential electronics only — commercial electronics NOT accepted). Freon-containing appliances (refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, dishwashers) are banned from the landfill entirely. Cardboard and aluminum containers are also banned from landfill disposal under Wisconsin recycling law — operators must separate these on the truck. Propane tanks, waste oil, and hazardous chemicals go to Clean Sweep at $15 per trip for Dane County residents, $75 per trip out-of-county.

Operated by Dane County Department of Waste & Renewables as an enterprise fund (funded by service fees, not taxpayer dollars). This is the anchor disposal site for the entire Madison metro — the only facility with verified public pricing. The flat-fee bracket system rewards load consolidation: a 999-lb load costs $30.05, the same as a 501-lb load. ALL loads MUST be tarped or enclosed — untarped loads are turned away at the scale, no exceptions. Freon appliances (refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, dishwashers) are rejected. Set up a commercial credit account for monthly invoicing — submit applications to Wienkes.Roxanne@danecounty.gov and Listenbee.Tyonna@danecounty.gov. Visa, Mastercard, and cash accepted at the scale house. Rate schedule effective January 1, 2026.

Materials accepted: MSW at $60.10/ton, C&D for recycling at $58.00/ton (50% recyclable content required), Clean shingles at $65.00/ton, Clean brush/logs/branches at $40.00/ton, Wood chips at $25.00/ton, Yard waste at $40.00/ton, Food scraps at $58.00/ton, Tires at $350.00/ton (off rim, under 20 inches), Asbestos at $82.10/ton (first Wednesday of month, 7 AM–1 PM, permit required), Mattresses/box springs at MSW rate, Non-Freon appliances at MSW rate

Documentation needed: Commercial credit account recommended — email Wienkes.Roxanne@danecounty.gov and Listenbee.Tyonna@danecounty.gov; All loads must be tarped or enclosed — untarped loads turned away; Visa, Mastercard, and cash accepted at scale house

Surcharges: Untarped load: rejected (not a fee — load is turned away); Truck tires over 20 inches must be cut into 2-foot sections; Asbestos requires advance permit — first Wednesday of month only

Operated by Landfill Reduction & Recycling, LLC under a public-private partnership with Dane County. Same campus as Rodefeld Landfill — weigh-in at the same scale house. The key rule: loads must contain at least 50% recyclable content to be accepted. Loads under 50% recyclable are redirected to the landfill at $60.10/ton. Opens at 7:15 AM — 45 minutes after the landfill opens at 6:30 AM, so plan accordingly if arriving early. Separate clean wood, metal, and cardboard from mixed refuse before arriving to ensure your load qualifies. Painted, stained, or pressure-treated wood is NOT accepted and will disqualify your load. Rate schedule effective January 1, 2026.