King County Transfer Station Fees (2026): Garbage, Yard Waste, Mattresses

Garbage fees

From the county's King County disposal fee page:

• Garbage: $40.25 minimum (up to 320 pounds), then $243.38 per ton
• Charitable organizations that qualify: $31.50 minimum, $188.75 per ton

Fees include the county basic fee, a moderate-risk-waste surcharge and the 3.6% state refuse tax. The county takes Visa, Mastercard, Discover, cash and Apple Pay. At $243.38 a ton, 1,000 pounds costs about $122. Try the dump fee calculator.

Checked October 2026. Hours, fees, residency rules and accepted items change, sometimes with little notice. Call the site or check its official page before you load up.

Yard waste, wood and recyclables

• Yard waste: $20.70 minimum, $129.38 per ton. It has to be separated before you arrive at Bow Lake, Cedar Falls, Enumclaw, Factoria, Shoreline or Vashon.
• Clean untreated wood: $20.70 minimum, $129.38 per ton (separated, at Bow Lake, Enumclaw, Factoria or Shoreline)
• Recyclables only: no charge. Accepted materials vary by station.

Sorting is the cheapest move. See yard waste priced apart from trash.

Mattresses and appliances

• Mattress recycling: $30 per item (Bow Lake, Enumclaw, Factoria, Shoreline, Vashon)
• Mattress disposal: $33.39 per item (Algona, Cedar Falls, Houghton, Renton)
• Refrigerant appliances (fridges, freezers, ACs, dehumidifiers, heat pumps): $30 per unit, no commercial units

Unsecured loads and the LIFT discount

Any vehicle with an unsecured load pays a $25 fee under King County Code 10.12.040. Holders of a current ProviderOne, EBT or ORCA LIFT card get the CleanUp LIFT discount: $20 off each waste type per visit (garbage, yard waste, clean wood, mattresses, appliances). Show the card when you enter and exit. The discount isn't available to businesses or to Seattle and Milton residents. For Seattle's stations, see Seattle North Transfer Station.

King County Transfer Station Fees (2026) FAQ

How much does the King County dump cost?

In 2026, garbage is a $40.25 minimum for up to 320 pounds, then $243.38 per ton.

Is yard waste cheaper at King County stations?

Yes. Separated yard waste and clean wood are a $20.70 minimum, then $129.38 per ton.

How much to drop off a mattress?

$30 per mattress at recycling stations, or $33.39 per item at Algona, Cedar Falls, Houghton and Renton.

What is the CleanUp LIFT discount?

$20 off each waste type per visit for ProviderOne, EBT or ORCA LIFT cardholders. Not available in Seattle or Milton.

What happens if my load isn't secured?

A $25 unsecured load fee.

The bottom line

Sort out yard waste and wood, strap the load, and bring a LIFT card if you have one. Compare with Tacoma and Pierce County.

Gear for your dump run

Affiliate disclosure: The links in this section are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Dumpmapper earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. We don't list prices or ratings here because they change. Check them on Amazon.

• AmazonCommercial heavy-duty 16-mil poly tarp: Covers the load so nothing blows out on the highway, and helps you avoid the uncovered-load fee many sites charge.
• Rhino USA 1-inch ratchet tie-down straps (4-pack): Holds the tarp and bulky items like furniture in place in a pickup bed or trailer.
• Wells Lamont 3300 leather-palm work gloves: Most drop-off sites are self-unload, so protect your hands from splinters, nails and sharp edges.

Hauling it yourself? If the load won’t fit in the truck bed, a 6×10 ft open-rail utility trailer or a 4×8 ft folding trailer (it folds upright to store in a garage) can cost less than a couple of hauler trips. Tie everything down with ratchet tie-down straps; many sites charge extra for loose or uncovered loads. Bag loose debris in 55-gallon contractor bags so it’s quicker to unload.

As an Amazon Associate, Dumpmapper earns from qualifying purchases.