Dump Fee Guide

NYC Dump Fees & Disposal Guide for Junk Removal Operators

Transfer station rates estimated at $120–$170+/ton. BIC licensing, Commercial Waste Zones, and congestion pricing in 2026.

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Last updated: Mar 2026

At a Glance

Fee range

$74–$170+/ton (estimated)

Per ton, negotiated per commercial account

Facilities listed: 6
Estimated MSW: $120–$170+/ton
BIC license req'd: Yes
Updated: Mar 2026

MSW
C&D
Scrap Metal
E-Waste
Bulky Items

Biggest cost trap: No NYC transfer station publicly posts tipping fees — rates are negotiated per account. Operators who accept the first quoted rate without shopping facilities leave money on the table. Call Lemcor (NJ), WM BQE, Action Environmental, and Hi-Tech for competing quotes.

Disposal costs

Typical Costs in NYC

Baseline pricing before you dig into individual facilities.

MSW (Household Junk)

$120–$170+/ton (estimated)

Minimum: Negotiated per account
Basis: Per ton

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No NYC private transfer station publishes tipping fees — all rates are negotiated per commercial account. Industry sources estimate MSW at $120⁠–⁠$170+/ton as of 2024⁠–⁠2025. NJ facilities may offer lower rates: Union County flow-controlled MSW is $122.25/ton and Essex County waste-to-energy was reported at ~$74.30/ton (Dec 2023, potentially stale). Factor in bridge/tunnel tolls ($16+ for commercial vehicles at GWB) when comparing NJ options.

Get competing quotes from at least 3 transfer stations — rates are negotiated and vary significantly between facilities
Compare NYC facility quotes against NJ options (Lemcor in Newark, WM in Elizabeth) including toll and drive time costs

C&D (Construction Debris)

$130+/ton (estimated)

Minimum: Negotiated per account
Basis: Per ton

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C&D rates at NYC transfer stations are not publicly posted. Union County (NJ) reference rate for C&D is $130.02/ton. NYC C&D rates are likely comparable or higher. BIC requires a separate Class 2 C&D Registration ($3,500) for companies removing construction and demolition debris. C&D hauling in NYC is NOT under the Republic Services exclusive franchise — operators may choose their own hauler.

Separate scrap metals from C&D loads — NYC copper prices average ~$4.70/lb at Sims Metal yards, turning disposal cost into revenue
Obtain a BIC Class 2 C&D Registration if doing regular demo/renovation work — different from the Trade Waste Removal License

Scrap Metal Revenue

$0.30–$5.00/lb (paid to you)

Minimum: No minimum at Sims yards
Basis: Per pound (market rate)

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NYC scrap prices as of February 2026: bare bright copper ~$5.00/lb, copper average ~$4.70/lb, red brass ~$2.60/lb, yellow brass ~$1.60/lb, aluminum ~$0.86/lb, stainless steel ~$0.30/lb. At $120⁠–⁠$170+/ton disposal costs, aggressive metal separation is essential for profitability. Sims Metal operates yards in the Bronx (Hunts Point) and Long Island City (Queens).

Pull copper, brass, and aluminum from every load — at $4.70/lb copper, a single AC unit compressor can yield $15⁠–⁠$30 in scrap revenue
Establish a regular delivery cadence with Sims Metal for better pricing — LIC location has extended hours (6AM–6PM weekdays)

Surcharges & NYC-Specific Costs

$2.25–$21.60 per entry

Minimum: Per-entry tolls apply
Basis: Per entry, per day, or per ton

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Congestion pricing (effective January 5, 2025) for Manhattan below 60th Street: small trucks $14.40/entry peak, $3.60 overnight; large trucks $21.60/entry peak, $5.40 overnight. Bridge/tunnel tolls for NJ facilities: $16+ for commercial vehicles at GWB. NJ Recycling Enhancement Act adds $3.00/ton at NJ disposal facilities. BIC caps what licensed carters can charge clients at $26.87/cu yd for loose refuse. NYS e-waste disposal ban: $100 fine for putting electronics in trash.

Schedule Manhattan below-60th jobs overnight (9PM–5AM weekdays) for 75% congestion pricing reduction via E-ZPass
Factor congestion pricing, bridge tolls, and NJ surcharges into every job estimate — these hidden costs add $15⁠–⁠$40+ per trip

Local guide

Facilities in NYC

Recommended facilities first, then additional options.

Top recommended (4)

Action Environmental / IWS — Bronx Transfer Station

24-hour MSW disposal — NYC's largest private hauler with 14 of 20 Commercial Waste Zone awards

MSW
C&D debris
Recyclables
Wood waste
Metals

Rate: Call (718) 665-2368 or 1-866-DIAL-IWS for commercial rates — not publicly posted
Minimum: Negotiated per account
Hours: Mon–Fri 24 hrs (closed 7:30PM–8PM for shift change), Sat closes 12PM
Area: Bronx (East 132nd Street)

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NYC's largest private hauler. IWS/Action owns both hauling and disposal assets — one of only two companies with this dual capability in NYC. Awarded 14 of 20 Commercial Waste Zones. 24-hour weekday operations allow off-peak dumping to avoid wait times. BIC license required for all haulers. LEED tracking portal available for commercial accounts. Additional IWS/Action locations at Hunts Point (315 Casanova St), multiple Brooklyn sites.

Materials accepted: MSW, C&D debris, Recyclables, Wood waste, Metals, General commercial waste

Documentation needed: BIC Trade Waste Removal License; A901 license for NJ-registered vehicles; Commercial account setup required

Surcharges: Rates negotiated per account — not publicly posted

Hi-Tech Resource Recovery (Brooklyn)

BIC-registered self-haulers welcome — extended overnight hours and Brooklyn convenience

MSW/garbage
Wood waste
Metal
Light construction debris
Furniture
Appliances
Source-separated organics

Rate: Call (718) 386-5750 — not publicly posted
Minimum: Contact facility
Hours: Sun 10PM–Mon 3PM, Mon 10PM–Tue 3PM, Tue 10PM–Wed 3PM, Wed 10PM–Thu 3PM, Thu 10PM–Fri 3PM, Fri 10PM–Sat 10AM; closed Sat night into Sunday
Area: North Brooklyn (Williamsburg/Greenpoint area — ~1 mile from BQE Exit 33)

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Independent facility operating since 1988 that explicitly welcomes BIC-registered self-haulers — a practical option for smaller junk removal operators. Extended overnight weekday hours (reopening at 10PM nightly) may offer shorter wait times. Capacity: 214 tons/day MSW and 100 tons/day source-separated waste. Recyclables (metal, cardboard, rigid plastics) sorted and sent to sister facility Scholes Street Recycling. Online payment portal available.

Materials accepted: MSW/garbage, Wood waste, Metal, Light construction debris, Furniture, Appliances, Source-separated organics, Recyclables (sorted to Scholes Street)

Documentation needed: BIC license or BIC Self-Hauler Registration required

Surcharges: Rates negotiated — contact facility

Lemcor Solid Waste Transfer Station & MRF (Newark, NJ)

NJ alternative for NYC haulers — 24/7/365 operations, ~11 miles from Times Square

MSW
C&D debris
General commercial waste

Rate: Call (973) 642-1212 or contact Monique Rodwell at (973) 856-4849 — pricing by quote based on volume and payment terms
Minimum: Quote-based
Hours: 24/7/365 for commercial customers; 6AM–9PM for exempt haulers (homeowners)
Area: Newark, NJ (~11 miles from Times Square — closest to all major NJ/NY roadways)

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Explicitly marketed to NYC-area commercial haulers. Open 24/7/365 — the only facility profiled with true year-round, round-the-clock access. ~11 miles from Times Square via NJ Turnpike/I-95. Factor in bridge/tunnel tolls ($16+ for commercial vehicles at GWB) and NJ Recycling Enhancement Act surcharge ($3.00/ton) when comparing against NYC facility quotes. NJDEP hauling decals required for commercial vehicles. Accepts Visa, MC, Discover, AmEx (3.5% credit card surcharge). Commercial credit application available online.

Materials accepted: MSW, C&D debris, General commercial waste

Documentation needed: NJDEP hauling decals for commercial vehicles; Commercial credit application available online

Surcharges: NJ REA surcharge: $3.00/ton; Credit card surcharge: 3.5%

Sims Metal — Bronx & Long Island City (Queens)

Scrap metal recycling — get paid instead of paying. Two NYC locations with strong copper/brass prices.

All ferrous metals
Non-ferrous metals (copper, brass, aluminum, stainless, lead, zinc)
Appliances (freon removed)
Construction scrap
Plumbing/electrical scrap
Commercial junk vehicles (title required)

Rate: Market rates — copper ~$4.70/lb, brass ~$1.60⁠–⁠$2.60/lb, aluminum ~$0.86/lb, stainless ~$0.30/lb (Feb 2026 NYC averages)
Minimum: No minimum
Hours: Bronx: Mon–Fri 7AM–3:30PM, Sat 7AM–2:30PM; LIC: Mon–Fri 6AM–6PM, Sat 6AM–2PM
Area: Bronx: 850 Edgewater Rd (Hunts Point); Queens: 30-27 Greenpoint Ave (LIC)

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Sims Metal (division of ASX-listed Sims Limited) operates two NYC yards. At $120⁠–⁠$170+/ton disposal costs, diverting metals to Sims turns disposal expense into revenue. LIC location has longer hours (6AM–6PM weekdays). No appointment necessary at either location. Valid government-issued photo ID required for all sellers. Customized scrap management programs available for regular commercial accounts. Roll-off container services and barge loading available.

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WM BQE Transfer Station (Brooklyn)

MSW and C&D in Brooklyn — WM commercial account holders

MSW
Residential/institutional/commercial waste
Wood (brush/branches/trees/stumps)
Corrugated cardboard
Metals (ferrous & non-ferrous)
White goods
Waste tires

Rate: Call (718) 533-5100 or account setup at 800-973-4776 — not publicly posted
Minimum: Account required
Hours: Listed as 24/7 (verify current hours — COVID-era notice still displayed on website)
Area: Brooklyn (Scott Avenue / Greenpoint)

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WM-operated transfer station. Prepaid account required for all commercial haulers — no walk-in cash disposal. Call 800-973-4776 to set up. Accepts broad material range including waste tires and white goods. BIC license required. Truck scale on-site. Closed New Year's, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.

Materials accepted: MSW, Residential/institutional/commercial waste, Wood waste, Corrugated cardboard, Ferrous & non-ferrous metals, White goods, Waste tires

Documentation needed: BIC license required; Prepaid WM account mandatory; No walk-in cash disposal

Surcharges: Rates negotiated per account

Habitat for Humanity ReStore — Yonkers

Furniture, appliances, building materials — accepts items Goodwill does NOT (furniture, large appliances)

Gently used furniture (under 10 years old preferred)
Working appliances
Cabinetry (complete with doors/drawers/hardware)
Building materials
Home decor
Flat-screen TVs
Windows (double/triple pane)
Exterior doors (assembled)
Kitchen/bathroom cabinets

Rate: Free drop-off; tax-deductible donation receipt provided
Minimum: No minimum
Hours: Tue–Sat 10AM–5PM, Sun open 1st and 3rd Sundays only (12PM–4PM), Mon closed
Area: 470 Nepperhan Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10701 (outside NYC proper — Queens location appears closed)

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The only active Habitat ReStore serving the NYC metro area — located in Yonkers, outside the five boroughs. Accepts furniture and appliances that Goodwill NYNJ does NOT accept. Pickup service available — schedule online or email restore@habitatnycwc.org. Email photos with 'DROP OFF' in subject line for pre-approval. Does NOT accept mattresses, box springs, sofa beds, tube TVs, or upholstered items from homes with pets/smokers. Monetary donation requested alongside pickups to offset operational costs.

Operations

Rules & Restrictions

Know before you go — avoid rejected loads and fines.

Common Restrictions

BIC (Business Integrity Commission) license required for ALL commercial waste hauling in NYC.
Trade Waste Removal License: $5,000 + $600 investigation fee + $500/vehicle (2-year term). Operating without a license: up to 6 months imprisonment and $10,000/day fine.
DSNY Marine Transfer Stations are NOT open to private haulers — exclusively for DSNY-collected residential waste. All private operators must use BIC-permitted private transfer stations.
NYS e-waste disposal ban: electronics cannot go in regular trash. $100 fine per violation. CRTs, monitors, TVs, computers must go to certified recyclers.
NJDEP hauling decals required on all commercial vehicles using NJ disposal facilities. Homeowners in non-commercial vehicles under 9,000 lbs GVW are exempt.

Documentation Required

BIC Trade Waste Removal License application requires: notarized certification and release forms, business formation docs, driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, insurance certificates…Hide full rule
BIC Trade Waste Removal License application requires: notarized certification and release forms, business formation docs, driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, insurance certificates (auto liability + workers' comp with BIC as certificate holder), tax returns, and fingerprinting. You CANNOT operate until approval is granted.
Commercial Waste Zones (CWZ) under Local Law 199 of 2019 divide NYC into 20 zones with designated haulers. Verify your CWZ obligations before servicing commercial clients.
All commercial waste in NYC must be in rigid, lidded containers — NYC containerization rules affect your equipment needs.

Local Quirks

No NYC transfer station publicly posts tipping fees. ALL rates are negotiated per commercial account. Get competing quotes from at least 3 facilities before committing.
Congestion pricing (effective January 5, 2025): Manhattan below 60th Street tolls — small trucks $14.40/entry peak, $3.60 overnight. Schedule below-60th jobs overnight for 75% savings.
BIC caps what licensed carters can charge clients at $26.87/cu yd for loose refuse. Know this cap when pricing jobs — you cannot pass all disposal costs to the customer if they exceed the BIC maximum.
Goodwill NYNJ does NOT accept furniture or large appliances — a major limitation. Habitat ReStore in Yonkers is the only metro option for furniture/appliance donation, but it is outside the five boroughs.

Cost-saving guides

Cost-Saving Tips

Margin protection playbook — sorting, timing, and routing.

Sorting Strategy

Separate scrap metals from every load and sell to Sims Metal (Bronx or LIC). At $120⁠–⁠$170+/ton disposal costs, metal diversion is not optional — it is essential for profitability. Copper averages ~$4.70/lb, brass $1.60⁠–⁠$2.60/lb, aluminum ~$0.86/lb. A single AC unit compressor can yield $15⁠–⁠$30 in scrap. The LIC yard is open 6AM–6PM weekdays for maximum flexibility.
Route reusable furniture and appliances to Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Yonkers (470 Nepperhan Ave, (332) 777-5060) — accepts items that Goodwill does NOT. Pickup service available. For clothing and smaller household goods, use Goodwill NYNJ locations across the boroughs. Every item diverted from transfer stations saves $120⁠–⁠$170+ per ton in dump fees.
Sort wood waste, cardboard, and metals from mixed loads before arriving at the transfer station. Some facilities (Hi-Tech, Action) sort recyclables internally, but pre-sorting may earn you better per-ton rates on negotiated accounts.

Timing Strategy

Use 24-hour facilities (Action Environmental, WM BQE, Lemcor) for off-peak dumping during overnight hours when wait times are shortest. Hi-Tech reopens at 10PM nightly — overnight operations may process loads faster.
Schedule Manhattan below-60th Street jobs during overnight hours (9PM–5AM weekdays) to pay $3.60 congestion pricing instead of $14.40 for small trucks — a 75% savings per entry.

Routing Strategy

Compare NYC transfer station quotes against NJ options. Lemcor in Newark (~11 miles from Times Square) explicitly serves NYC haulers with 24/7/365 access. Factor in GWB tolls ($16+ for commercial vehicles), NJ REA surcharge ($3.00/ton), and drive time for true cost comparison.
For Bronx jobs, Action Environmental on East 132nd Street and Sims Metal in Hunts Point are within the same area — dump refuse at Action and sell metals at Sims on the same trip.
For Brooklyn jobs, WM BQE (Scott Ave) and Hi-Tech (Williamsburg) are both in north Brooklyn near the BQE — compare quotes between them.

FAQ

How much does it cost to dump junk in NYC?

NYC transfer station tipping fees are not publicly posted — all rates are negotiated per commercial account. Industry sources estimate MSW rates at $120⁠–⁠$170+/ton as of 2024⁠–⁠2025. NJ facilities may offer cost advantages: Union County flow-controlled MSW is $122.25/ton and Essex County waste-to-energy was reported at approximately $74/ton (December 2023, potentially stale). Factor in bridge/tunnel tolls ($16+ for commercial vehicles at GWB) and NJ surcharges ($3/ton REA fee) when comparing NJ options. Get competing quotes from at least 3 facilities — Lemcor, WM BQE, Action Environmental, and Hi-Tech are all practical options.

Do I need a BIC license for junk removal in NYC?

Yes. Any business collecting or removing waste from others' properties for a fee in NYC must be licensed by the Business Integrity Commission (BIC). The Trade Waste Removal License costs $5,000 plus a $600 application investigation fee plus $500 per vehicle for a 2-year term. A lower-cost Micro-Hauler License is available at $600. C&D removal requires a separate Class 2 Registration ($3,500). You CANNOT operate until BIC approval is granted — the background investigation must clear first. Penalties for operating unlicensed include up to 6 months imprisonment and $10,000 per day in fines.

Where can I sell scrap metal in NYC?

Sims Metal operates two NYC yards: Bronx/Hunts Point (850 Edgewater Road, (718) 542-2300, Mon–Fri 7AM–3:30PM, Sat 7AM–2:30PM) and Long Island City, Queens (30-27 Greenpoint Avenue, (718) 786-6031, Mon–Fri 6AM–6PM, Sat 6AM–2PM). NYC scrap prices as of February 2026: bare bright copper ~$5.00/lb, copper average ~$4.70/lb, red brass ~$2.60/lb, aluminum ~$0.86/lb. No appointment necessary. Valid government-issued photo ID required for all sellers. At $120⁠–⁠$170+/ton disposal costs, metal diversion is essential for profitability.

What is NYC congestion pricing and how does it affect junk removal?

Congestion pricing took effect January 5, 2025 for all vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street. Small trucks pay $14.40 per entry during peak hours (weekdays 5AM–9PM, weekends 9AM–9PM) and $3.60 overnight. Large trucks pay $21.60 peak and $5.40 overnight. Crossing credits are available for tunnel entries. Schedule Manhattan below-60th jobs during overnight hours for 75% toll savings. FDR Drive, West Side Highway, and Hugh L. Carey Tunnel connections to West Street are exempt. Use E-ZPass. Phase-in: 60% toll level through 2027, increasing to 80% through 2030.

Can I use NJ transfer stations for NYC junk removal waste?

Yes. Lemcor in Newark (170 Frelinghuysen Avenue, (973) 642-1212) explicitly serves NYC haulers and operates 24/7/365 — approximately 11 miles from Times Square. WM Front Street Transfer Station in Elizabeth, NJ is another option. You must have NJDEP hauling decals on all commercial vehicles. Factor in bridge/tunnel tolls ($16+ for commercial vehicles at GWB), NJ Recycling Enhancement Act surcharge ($3.00/ton), fuel costs, and drive time when comparing against NYC facility quotes. The total cost comparison — not just the per-ton rate — determines whether the NJ route makes financial sense.

Where can I donate furniture from junk removal jobs in NYC?

Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Yonkers (470 Nepperhan Avenue, (332) 777-5060, Tue–Sat 10AM–5PM) accepts gently used furniture, working appliances, building materials, and cabinetry — the only active ReStore in the NYC metro area. The Queens location appears closed. Important: Goodwill NYNJ does NOT accept furniture or large appliances. Habitat ReStore offers pickup service — schedule online or email restore@habitatnycwc.org. Does not accept mattresses, box springs, sofa beds, tube TVs, or upholstered items from homes with pets or smokers. At $120⁠–⁠$170+/ton disposal costs, every item diverted to donation saves significant dump fees.

Resources

Related Resources

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Feature

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Data

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