Pierce County Transfer Stations: Hidden Valley, Purdy, Drop Boxes and 2026 Rates

Sites and hours

From the county's Pierce County transfer station page:

• Hidden Valley Transfer Station, 17925 Meridian Ave E: 7 days, 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Household hazardous waste 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.
• Purdy Transfer Station, 14515 54th Ave NW: 7 days, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Prairie Ridge Drop Box, 11710 Prairie Ridge Dr E: 7 days, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Residential only, 1 ton max.
• Key Center Drop Box, 5900 Key Peninsula Hwy: Wednesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Residential only, 5 cubic yards max.
• Anderson Island Drop Box, 9607 Steffensen Rd: limited Sunday and Monday hours that change by season

All are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

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.

Rates (effective March 1, 2026)

• Hidden Valley, Prairie Ridge, Purdy: $39.06 minimum for 400 pounds or less, then $195.32 per ton
• Anderson Island and Key Center: $39.06 minimum for 1 cubic yard or less, then $39.06 per cubic yard (5 cubic yards max)
• Yard waste: free for loads under 1 ton for all county residents and businesses, then $115 per ton

Washington's 3.6% refuse tax is added to these rates. Appliances can cost more, so check with the operator, LRI, at (253) 847-7555. Loads with noxious weeds like blackberry or ivy pay extra. Card is preferred over cash, and checks aren't accepted. Estimate with the dump fee calculator.

Commercial loads

Businesses can only use Hidden Valley, Purdy and the Tacoma center. The drop boxes are residential only. City of Tacoma residents usually get lower rates at Tacoma's own facility; see Tacoma Recovery and Transfer Center.

Tips

• Haul yard waste separately. Under a ton it's free.
• Light loads under 400 pounds pay the minimum, so combine small jobs.
• Strap and tarp the load. See covered-load rules.

Pierce County Transfer Stations FAQ

How much does the Pierce County dump cost?

At Hidden Valley, Purdy and Prairie Ridge, a $39.06 minimum for 400 pounds or less, then $195.32 per ton, plus 3.6% state refuse tax (March 2026 rates).

Is yard waste free in Pierce County?

Yes, for loads under 1 ton. Over a ton is $115 per ton plus tax.

What are Hidden Valley Transfer Station hours?

7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Can I pay with a check?

No. Card is preferred, and cash is accepted.

Can businesses use the drop boxes?

No. Commercial customers may only use Hidden Valley, Purdy and the Tacoma center.

The bottom line

Bring yard waste separately to dump it free, and use a card. Compare King County fees.

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.

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