Memphis Dump Fees & Disposal Guide for Junk Removal Operators

Shelby County Landfill charges $64/ton for mixed municipal solid waste. Private facilities like Waste Management's Southeast Regional Landfill range $62⁠–⁠$67/ton. Gate fees increase 3-4% annually. Loads under 1 ton charged minimum rate. Weekend surcharges add $5⁠–⁠$8/ton at some facilities. Peak season (spring cleaning months) may see temporary increases of $2⁠–⁠$5/ton.

• Call all facilities monthly for current rates — Memphis market is competitive with 4-5 major operators
• Establish accounts at 2-3 facilities to compare rates and avoid single-source dependency
• Tennessee has no state hauler license requirement, simplifying market entry for new operators
• Volume discounts kick in at 50+ tons/month at most facilities

Clean C&D at dedicated recycling facilities runs $45⁠–⁠$52/ton. Mixed C&D with MSW contamination jumps to $62⁠–⁠$68/ton at standard landfills. Concrete-only loads can go as low as $35/ton at specialized facilities. Roofing materials with asphalt shingles typically charged MSW rates. Large commercial C&D jobs over 20 tons qualify for negotiated rates at most facilities.

• Sort clean concrete, brick, and asphalt for $35⁠–⁠$45/ton rates — saves $15⁠–⁠$20/ton vs mixed loads
• Route wood waste to biomass facilities for $25⁠–⁠$35/ton vs $62/ton at standard landfills
• Separate metals on-site — scrap steel brings $200⁠–⁠$350/ton revenue vs $62/ton disposal cost

Memphis metal market is active with 12+ scrap yards. Copper #1 runs $3.20⁠–⁠$3.50/lb, aluminum cans $0.65⁠–⁠$0.85/lb, steel $200⁠–⁠$250/ton. Cast iron brings $220⁠–⁠$280/ton. Brass fixtures $2.20⁠–⁠$2.80/lb. Appliances with Freon require $15⁠–⁠$25 processing fee but still net positive after scrap value. Clean copper wire can hit $3.50/lb while insulated wire drops to $1.80⁠–⁠$2.20/lb.

• Separate copper, brass, and aluminum from every job — average 15-20 lbs per residential cleanout worth $35⁠–⁠$65
• Strip insulation from copper wire when time permits — increases value by 40-60%
• Partner with appliance repair shops to handle Freon removal for $10⁠–⁠$15 vs facility fee of $25
• Track metal prices weekly — copper fluctuates $0.20⁠–⁠$0.40/lb seasonally

Tires: $5⁠–⁠$15 each depending on size. Electronics with CRTs $15⁠–⁠$25 each. Freon appliances $25⁠–⁠$35 processing fee. Paint cans $8⁠–⁠$12 each unless dried out. Propane tanks $15⁠–⁠$25. Mattresses $12⁠–⁠$18 each due to recycling requirements. Car batteries $8⁠–⁠$15 each. Large tires (truck/tractor) can reach $45⁠–⁠$85 each. All loads must be properly tarped or face $25⁠–⁠$50 fines.

• Build surcharge costs into customer quotes — average residential job has $15⁠–⁠$35 in surcharges
• Dry out paint cans before disposal to avoid hazmat fees — saves $8⁠–⁠$12 per can
• Route batteries to auto parts stores for free disposal vs $8⁠–⁠$15 landfill fees
• Partner with tire shops for bulk tire disposal at $3⁠–⁠$5/tire vs facility fees of $8⁠–⁠$15

County-operated facility with consistent pricing. Commercial accounts require setup paperwork and credit check. Scale house closes 30 minutes before facility closure. Accepts cash, check, or established account billing. Heavy truck traffic Friday afternoons — plan accordingly.

Large private facility with good equipment and fast turnaround. Electronic ticketing system for established accounts. Occasional promotional rates for new commercial customers. Extended hours during peak seasons. Truck wash station available.

Well-maintained private facility with experienced scale operators. Offers monthly billing for established accounts. Good access roads for large trucks. Less crowded than county facility during peak times. Requires load inspection before dumping.

Specialized C&D processing facility. Materials must be pre-sorted for best rates. Rejects contaminated loads. Produces recycled aggregate sold back to contractors. Cash or credit card accepted for small loads. Account setup required for regular service.

Established scrap processor with fair scales and quick payment. Will handle appliance Freon removal for $15 fee. Provides market price sheets. Photo ID required for first visit. Checks available same day for account holders.

Accepts furniture, appliances, and building materials in good condition. Provides pickup service for large items with advance scheduling. Tax receipts can offset disposal costs for business accounting. Quality standards enforced — damaged items rejected.