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Dump Fee Guide

Milwaukee Dump Fees & Landfill Guide for Junk Removal Operators

Current 2026 disposal options for Milwaukee-area landfills and transfer stations. Three private landfills, no public option. WI state surcharge ~$13/ton.

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Last updated: Mar 2026

At a Glance

Fee range

Estimated $67–$80+/ton (limited public data — most rates negotiated by account)

Per ton (weighed) at all three landfills — Wisconsin's ~$13/ton state surcharge included in gate fees

Facilities listed
4+
WI state surcharge
~$13/ton
E-waste
Banned from landfills
Yard waste
Banned from landfills
  • MSW
  • C&D
  • Asbestos (with approval)
  • Tires
  • Contaminated Soils

Biggest cost trap: No publicly owned landfills in Milwaukee or Waukesha County. City Drop Off Centers are strictly residential — commercial vehicles, trucks with logos, ladders, sidewalls, or dual-rear-axle are explicitly prohibited.

Disposal costs

Typical Costs in Milwaukee

Baseline pricing before you dig into individual facilities.

MSW (Household Junk)

Estimated $67–$80+/ton (based on limited public data)

Minimum
Call each facility — varies by account type
Basis
Per ton (weighed at scale house) — Wisconsin's ~$13/ton state surcharge included
Show detailsHide details

GFL's Emerald Park posted $75/ton on the 2019 WI DNR survey — current 2026 rates are likely higher. WM listed 'NA' on all surveys, refusing to disclose. One unverified report cited Orchard Ridge at $67/ton with 1-ton minimum plus $50 in non-resident fees.

  • Orchard Ridge opens at 6:30 AM — earliest in the metro, valuable for pre-route dumps
  • Orchard Ridge is the only Milwaukee-area landfill accepting yard waste (on-site composting) — one-stop shop for mixed loads
  • Clean concrete, brick, block, and asphalt are exempt from solid waste code — recycle at lower cost through concrete recyclers

C&D (Construction & Demolition)

Not publicly posted — call each facility

Minimum
Call for details
Basis
Per ton — all three major landfills accept C&D alongside MSW
Show detailsHide details

No dedicated standalone C&D-only landfill exists in the immediate Milwaukee metro. C&D goes to the same facilities as MSW. Clean masonry (concrete, brick, block, stone, asphalt) can go to concrete recyclers for free or reduced rates — keeping it separate from mixed loads saves the full landfill tipping fee.

Banned Materials

N/A — these cannot go to any Wisconsin landfill

Minimum
N/A
Basis
N/A
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Wisconsin bans both yard waste AND electronics from landfills statewide. Yard waste must go to composting (Orchard Ridge is the only landfill with on-site composting). Electronics must go through certified e-waste recyclers. Penalty fees apply if banned materials are found in your loads.

Scrap Metal (Revenue)

Market rates — revenue from Complete Recycling Services

Minimum
No minimum listed
Basis
Per pound
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Complete Recycling Services at 9400 N. 124th Street accepts all metals Mon–Fri 7 AM–3:15 PM and Sat 8 AM–11:45 AM. A typical junk load with 200⁠–⁠500 lbs of metal can swing $15⁠–⁠$70 per load from cost to revenue.

Local guide

Facilities in Milwaukee

Recommended facilities first, then additional options.

Top recommended (3)

Orchard Ridge Recycling & Disposal Facility (WM)

Most versatile facility — earliest opening (6:30 AM), accepts yard waste (unique in Milwaukee), accommodates trucks up to 51 feet

  • MSW
  • C&D debris
  • Asbestos (friable and non-friable)
  • Biosolids
  • Tires
  • Yard waste/green waste (on-site composting)
  • Clean soils
  • Contaminated soils (non-hazardous)
  • Industrial sludges
  • Waste carpet
  • Concrete
  • Asphalt
  • Ash
  • Sand
  • Wood
Rate
Call (262) 253-8620 for commercial rates. One unverified report: ~$67/ton with 1-ton minimum + $50 non-resident fees — treat as anecdotal.
Minimum
Call for details
Hours
Mon–Fri 6:30 AM – 4:30 PM · Sat 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Sun CLOSED · Closed major holidays + Christmas Eve
Area
Menomonee Falls / Northwest Milwaukee (N96 W13073 County Line Road, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051)
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Best option for north and northwest Milwaukee operators. Opens earliest at 6:30 AM — 30 minutes before other facilities. The ONLY Milwaukee-area landfill accepting yard waste (on-site composting facility), making it a true one-stop for mixed loads with lawn debris. Accommodates trucks up to 51 feet. Set up a WM Solutions credit account at wmsolutions.com — credit account holders can tip until 4:30 PM while cash customers are cut off at 3:30 PM.

Metro Recycling & Disposal Facility (WM)

South side and Franklin-area operators — WM's primary Milwaukee landfill

  • MSW
  • C&D debris
  • Asbestos (friable and non-friable)
  • Biosolids
  • Tires
  • Clean soils
  • Contaminated soils (non-hazardous)
  • Industrial sludges
  • NORM/TENORM
  • Sandblast media
  • Oilfield wastes
Rate
Call (414) 529-6180. Set up credit account at wmsolutions.com for negotiated rates.
Minimum
Call for details
Hours
Mon–Fri 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM (cash customers: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM) · Sat 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Sun CLOSED · Closed major holidays
Area
Franklin / South Milwaukee (10712 South 124th Street, Franklin, WI 53132)
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WM's primary Milwaukee-area landfill. Credit account holders get an extra hour (until 4:30 PM vs 3:30 PM for cash) — a meaningful advantage for operators running afternoon jobs. Does NOT accept yard waste or electronics (WI bans). For specialty waste like asbestos, biosolids, and contaminated soils, WM requires profile-based approval through wmsolutions.com.

Complete Recycling Services (Scrap Metal)

Primary scrap metal buyer in Milwaukee — Saturday morning hours for weekend batch drops

  • All ferrous metals (steel, iron)
  • Non-ferrous metals (aluminum, copper, brass, stainless)
  • Appliances
  • Water heaters
  • Bed frames
  • Metal shelving
Rate
Market-rate scrap prices — call (414) 930-4843
Minimum
No minimum listed
Hours
Mon–Fri 7:00 AM – 3:15 PM · Sat 8:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Area
Northwest Milwaukee (9400 N. 124th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53224)
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Pull all metal items from every load before going to the landfill. A typical junk load with 200⁠–⁠500 lbs of metal swings $15⁠–⁠$70 per load from disposal cost to revenue. Saturday morning hours (8 AM–11:45 AM) allow weekend batch drops. Located near Orchard Ridge's corridor — combine scrap drop and landfill dump in one trip.

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Emerald Park Landfill (GFL Environmental)

South side alternative — GFL-operated, closest to Milwaukee's south suburbs

  • MSW
  • C&D debris
  • Non-hazardous industrial waste
  • Non-hazardous liquid waste (pre-approved)
  • Asbestos (pre-approved)
Rate
$75/ton per WI DNR 2019 survey — current 2026 rates likely higher. Call (414) 529-1360 for current commercial pricing.
Minimum
Call for details
Hours
Mon–Fri 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM · Sat 7:00 AM – 10:30 AM · Sun CLOSED
Area
Muskego (W124 S10629 124th Street, Muskego, WI 53150)
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GFL-operated (acquired from Advanced Disposal in 2020). Receives approximately 1,200 tons/day with no daily maximum — handles large commercial loads without scheduling delays. Credit and debit cards only (no cash). Saturday hours are limited (7⁠–⁠10:30 AM only). Does NOT accept yard waste or electronics per Wisconsin bans. Establish a GFL commercial credit account for negotiated volume rates.

Germantown Transfer Station (GFL Environmental)

Quick in-and-out closer to Milwaukee city center — saves 25+ minutes versus driving to landfills

  • MSW
  • C&D debris
  • Recyclables
Rate
Call (262) 242-7062
Minimum
Call for details
Hours
Call (262) 242-7062 for current hours
Area
Germantown (N104W 13075 Donges Bay Road, Germantown, WI 53022)
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GFL transfer station offering quicker access than the 25+ minute drive to landfills in Muskego, Franklin, or Menomonee Falls. Transfer station rates are generally higher per ton than direct-to-landfill due to handling and transport costs. Worth it for smaller loads where time savings exceed the rate premium. Call to confirm hours and walk-in commercial load acceptance.

Operations

Rules & Restrictions

Know before you go — avoid rejected loads and fines.

Common Restrictions

  • Wisconsin bans BOTH yard waste AND electronics from landfills statewide — penalty fees apply if found in your loads. Route yard waste to Orchard Ridge (on-site composting) and electronics to certified e-waste recyclers.
  • City of Milwaukee Drop Off Centers (6660 N. Industrial Road and 3879 W. Lincoln Avenue) are strictly residential only…

    commercial vehicles, trucks with logos, ladders, sidewalls, or dual-rear-axle trucks are EXPLICITLY PROHIBITED.

  • No publicly owned landfills exist in Milwaukee County or Waukesha County. All disposal is through private operators (WM and GFL) at negotiated commercial rates.

Documentation Required

  • Wisconsin state tipping fee surcharge of approximately $13/ton is assessed on all MSW and typically included in posted gate fees…

    one of the highest state surcharges in the Midwest (compare to MI $0.36, IN $0.60, OH $4.75).

  • WM credit account holders get extended hours (until 4:30 PM) at Metro RDF and Orchard Ridge — cash customers are cut off at 3:30 PM. Set up accounts at wmsolutions.com.
  • Clean concrete, brick, block, and asphalt are exempt from Wisconsin solid waste code requirements — recycle through concrete crushers at lower rates than landfill disposal.

Local Quirks

  • Milwaukee has three landfills all on 124th Street or County Line Road in the south/northwest suburbs — plan your disposal route based on which side of the metro your jobs are on.
  • Orchard Ridge is the ONLY landfill in the Milwaukee metro accepting yard waste — every other facility will reject it. This makes Orchard Ridge the one-stop shop for mixed loads with lawn debris.
  • WM refuses to disclose tipping fees on Wisconsin DNR surveys (listed 'NA' on all responses).

    GFL's last disclosed rate was $75/ton in 2019. Actual 2026 rates are likely 10⁠–⁠20% higher. Always negotiate before committing to an account.

Cost-saving guides

Cost-Saving Tips

Margin protection playbook — sorting, timing, and routing.

Sorting Strategy

  • Separate clean masonry (concrete, brick, block, stone, asphalt) from every load — these are recyclable and often accepted free or at reduced rates by concrete crushing operations like Shoreline Contracting Services. Saves $50⁠–⁠$75/ton versus full landfill tipping fees on heavy masonry materials.

  • Pull all metals to Complete Recycling Services — a typical load with 200⁠–⁠500 lbs of metal swings $15⁠–⁠$70 per load from cost to revenue. Located near Orchard Ridge for one-trip dumps.

  • Route yard waste loads specifically to Orchard Ridge — the only landfill with on-site composting. All other Milwaukee facilities will reject yard waste per Wisconsin's statewide ban.

Timing Strategy

  • Orchard Ridge opens at 6:30 AM — 30 minutes earlier than all other facilities. Use this for pre-route dump runs on northwest side jobs.

  • WM credit account holders get until 4:30 PM at Metro RDF and Orchard Ridge — an extra hour beyond the 3:30 PM cash customer cutoff. This is worth the account setup alone.

  • Emerald Park Saturday hours are the most limited at 7:00⁠–⁠10:30 AM. Orchard Ridge and Metro RDF both go until noon on Saturdays — plan Saturday routes accordingly.

Routing Strategy

  • South side jobs: Metro RDF in Franklin or Emerald Park in Muskego — both on the south 124th Street corridor

  • North/northwest jobs: Orchard Ridge in Menomonee Falls (6:30 AM opening, yard waste accepted) + Complete Recycling Services for scrap (9400 N. 124th)

  • City center jobs: Germantown Transfer Station for quick turnaround when the time savings outweigh the transfer station rate premium

FAQ

How much do dump fees cost in Milwaukee?

Milwaukee dump fees are not publicly posted by any major facility. GFL's Emerald Park Landfill disclosed $75 per ton on the 2019 Wisconsin DNR survey — current 2026 rates are likely higher. WM refused to disclose rates on all surveys. One unverified report cited Orchard Ridge at approximately $67 per ton with a 1-ton minimum plus $50 in non-resident fees. Wisconsin's state surcharge of approximately $13 per ton is included in gate fees and is among the highest in the Midwest.

Can I dump yard waste at Milwaukee landfills?

Only at Orchard Ridge in Menomonee Falls, which has an on-site composting facility. All other Milwaukee-area landfills will reject yard waste per Wisconsin's statewide landfill ban. Emerald Park, Metro RDF, and Germantown Transfer Station do not accept yard waste. If you run mixed loads with lawn debris, Orchard Ridge is your only one-stop option. For yard-waste-only loads, check local composting facilities for potentially lower rates than landfill pricing.

Which Milwaukee landfill has the best hours?

Orchard Ridge in Menomonee Falls opens earliest at 6:30 AM (30 minutes before others) and stays open until 4:30 PM for credit account holders. Metro RDF in Franklin has the same account-holder hours (until 4:30 PM) but opens at 7:00 AM. Emerald Park in Muskego has the shortest hours, closing at 3:30 PM weekdays and 10:30 AM on Saturdays. For weekend disposal, Orchard Ridge and Metro RDF both have Saturday hours until noon while Emerald Park closes at 10:30 AM.

Are electronics banned from Milwaukee landfills?

Yes — Wisconsin has banned electronics from landfills statewide since 2010. This includes TVs, computers, monitors, printers, and other covered electronic devices. Penalty fees apply if electronics are found in your landfill loads. Route all e-waste to certified electronics recyclers. Some scrap metal recyclers may also accept certain electronics. Never include electronics in mixed loads headed to any Wisconsin landfill.

Where can I recycle concrete and brick in Milwaukee for free?

Clean concrete, brick, block, stone, and asphalt are exempt from Wisconsin solid waste code requirements and can often be recycled for free or at reduced rates through concrete crushing operations like Shoreline Contracting Services. The key is keeping masonry completely separate from general debris — mixed loads get charged full landfill rates. On heavy demolition jobs with significant masonry content, this separation can save $50 to $75 per ton compared to disposing everything at the landfill.

Resources

Related Resources

Guide

Wisconsin Junk Removal Market Guide

Demographics, competitor landscape, pricing benchmarks, and regulations for operating in Wisconsin.

Data

Milwaukee Metro Junk Removal Market

Competitor analysis, neighborhood targeting, and entry strategy for the Milwaukee metro area.

Data

Madison Dump Fees

Facility data and tipping fees for operators also servicing the Madison market.

Guide

Dump Run Efficiency Guide

Route optimization strategies to minimize windshield time between jobs and dump sites.

Feature

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