Tacoma Recovery and Transfer Center: Dump Fees, Hours and Residency Rates

Location and hours

The center is at 3510 S. Mullen Street, Tacoma 98409. Per the city's hours page, it's open daily from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and closed July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The household hazardous waste facility on site is open Friday through Monday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

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.

Garbage rates

From the city's City of Tacoma rates page (fees per load, with partial 100 pounds billed as a full 100):

• Tacoma residential: $7.25 per 100 pounds, $20 minimum covering the first 400 pounds
• Non-Tacoma residential: $8.50 per 100 pounds, $40 minimum covering 400 pounds
• Tacoma commercial: $8.50 per 100 pounds, $40 minimum

Yard waste is free for Tacoma residents. Everyone else pays $8.50 per 100 pounds with a $40 minimum. The center takes cash, credit card or check. Convert to per-ton with the dump fee calculator: $7.25 per 100 pounds is $145 a ton.

Extra item fees

• Appliances with compressors: $20 each in the city, $40 outside, plus tonnage
• Large furniture: $11 for the first four pieces in the city ($40 outside), plus $11 for each additional piece, plus tonnage
• Passenger and light truck tires: $3.25 each in the city, $6.75 outside
• Tires on rims: $6.75 in the city, $13 outside
• Asbestos: city residents only, by appointment, $20 minimum plus $150 per ton

Fees assume half an hour of unloading time. Each extra half hour costs $12.25, and special handling is $100 per load.

Proof of residency and load rules

For resident rates, bring a current Washington driver's license or ID showing a Tacoma address, or a photo ID plus a current City utility bill. Bag or wet dusty items like drywall, insulation or sawdust. Sort recyclables, hazardous waste and reusables for their own areas. Uncovered or unsecured loads are illegal and may cost extra. See bringing proof of residency.

Tacoma Recovery and Transfer Center FAQ

How much does the Tacoma dump cost?

For Tacoma residents, a $20 minimum covering 400 pounds, then $7.25 per 100 pounds. Non-residents pay a $40 minimum and $8.50 per 100 pounds.

What are Tacoma transfer station hours?

Daily, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

Is yard waste free in Tacoma?

Yes for Tacoma residents. Non-residents pay $8.50 per 100 pounds with a $40 minimum.

How much to dump a refrigerator in Tacoma?

$20 per appliance with a compressor for city residents ($40 outside the city), plus tonnage.

What proof of residency do I need?

A Washington license or ID with a Tacoma address, or a photo ID plus a current City utility bill.

The bottom line

Bring proof of residency to halve the minimum, and unload quickly. Nearby: Seattle South Transfer Station.

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.

As an Amazon Associate, Dumpmapper earns from qualifying purchases.