Cincinnati Dump Fees & Landfill Guide for Junk Removal Operators
Current 2026 tipping fees for Cincinnati-area landfills, transfer stations, and C&D recyclers. Rumpke Landfill dominates — Hafner's C&D recycling is the operator edge.
Last updated: Mar 2026
Estimated $50–$80+/ton (MSW not publicly posted) · C&D at Hafner's typically below MSW rates
Typical dump fee range
Fee basis
Per ton at Rumpke Landfill and Republic transfer stations (negotiated accounts)
Common materials
Biggest cost trap
Rumpke dominates Cincinnati — they own the only MSW landfill AND the transfer station network. Without a negotiated account, you pay walk-up rates that are significantly higher than volume pricing.
Typical Costs in Cincinnati
Baseline pricing before you dig into individual facilities.
MSW (Household Junk)
Estimated $50–$80+/ton (not publicly posted)
A 2021 Clermont County reference cited $65/load up to 1 ton — likely outdated
Basis: Per ton (weighed) at Rumpke Landfill — all rates negotiated by account
infoRumpke Sanitary Landfill processes up to 12,500 tons daily — one of the largest in the United States. The scale of operations means efficient processing but rates are strictly account-negotiated. Republic's Evendale Transfer Station is commercial-only with no posted rates.
1Negotiate a Rumpke commercial account immediately — walk-up gate rates are significantly higher than contracted volume pricing
2Route C&D to Hafner's recycling center where rates are typically below MSW landfill pricing for sorted construction materials
3Cohen Recycling accepts Freon appliances for $15 or less — far cheaper than landfill disposal surcharges
C&D (Construction & Demolition)
Below MSW rates at C&D recyclers (call for pricing)
Varies by facility
Basis: Per ton or per load — negotiated
infoHafner's recycles approximately 70% of incoming C&D — concrete and asphalt become recycled aggregate, metals go to scrap, lumber gets processed. This recycling model means lower tipping fees for clean, sorted C&D loads. Clean hard fill (concrete, asphalt, brick) may be accepted at reduced rates. E-Town Landfill does NOT prorate for smaller loads.
Bulky Items & Surcharges
$15–$70+ per item (estimated)
$15 or less for Freon appliances at Cohen Recycling
Basis: Per item
infoCohen Recycling accepts Freon-containing appliances (refrigerators, freezers, A/C) for $15 or less per unit AND pays you for the metal value. Compare this to Indianapolis where South Side Landfill charges $150 per Freon unit. Always route appliances to Cohen or River Metals instead of the landfill.
Scrap Metal (Revenue)
Market rates — revenue, not a cost
No minimum at most yards
Basis: Per pound (daily market rates)
infoCincinnati has excellent scrap infrastructure through Cohen Recycling and River Metals Recycling. Metal sorting on every job turns a disposal cost into revenue of $50–$200+ per truckload. River Metals opens at 7:30 AM with Saturday hours — ideal for weekly scrap batch drops.
Facilities in Cincinnati
Recommended facilities first, then additional options.
Top Recommended (5)
Rumpke Sanitary Landfill
Primary MSW disposal for all of Cincinnati — one of the largest landfills in the United StatesRate
Call (513) 851-0122 for commercial account rates. Walk-up rates significantly higher than negotiated accounts.
Call for details
Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM · Sat 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM · Sun CLOSED
Area
Colerain Township (3800 Struble Road, Cincinnati, OH 45251)
Rumpke has been family-owned since 1932 and headquartered in Cincinnati. This landfill processes up to 12,500 tons per day — making it one of the most efficient high-volume disposal operations in the country. All loads must be tarped. Expect efficient processing but potentially long lines during peak hours (early morning). Arrive before 8 AM on Saturday for the shortest wait. Visa, MasterCard, debit, cash, and checks accepted. Does NOT accept hazardous waste, liquid waste, manufacturing/process waste, chemical-contaminated materials, or radioactive materials. Self-haul accepted from individuals, businesses, and construction crews.
H. Hafner & Sons — C&D Recycling
Cheapest C&D disposal in Cincinnati — recycles 70% of incoming material, resulting in lower tipping fees for sorted construction loadsRate
Call (513) 321-1895. Clean hard fill (concrete, asphalt, brick) may be accepted at reduced rates for aggregate reuse.
Call for details
Hours
Call (513) 321-1895 for current hours
Area
Linwood (5445 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45226)
Hafner's recycles approximately 70% of everything that comes through the gate — concrete and asphalt get crushed into recycled aggregate, metals get sold to scrap yards, lumber gets processed. This recycling-first model means lower tipping fees than MSW landfill rates for clean, well-sorted C&D loads. This is your go-to for renovation and demolition debris in Cincinnati. Does NOT accept MSW, hazardous waste, or non-construction materials.
Cohen Recycling — Norwood
Best scrap metal option in Cincinnati — accepts Freon appliances for $15 or less (far cheaper than landfill disposal)Rate
Market-rate prices fluctuating daily — call (513) 731-7222 for current scrap prices. Freon appliances accepted for $15 or less per unit.
No minimum listed
Hours
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM · Sat & Sun CLOSED
Area
Norwood (5038 Beech Street, Cincinnati, OH 45212) · Also: Sharonville (12175 Reading Rd, (513) 733-0606)
Family-owned since 1924. Cohen PAYS for scrap metal at market rates — this is revenue, not a cost. The key differentiator: they accept Freon-containing appliances (refrigerators, freezers, A/C) for just $15 or less per unit, compared to $70–$150 at typical landfills. Route all appliances through Cohen. Does NOT accept hazardous materials, radioactive materials, sealed containers with unknown contents, or pressurized gas cylinders. State-issued ID required.
River Metals Recycling
Early opening (7:30 AM) with Saturday hours — best for operators wanting to sell scrap before starting their routeRate
Call (513) 721-4660 for current prices
No minimum listed
Hours
Opens 7:30 AM with Saturday hours — call (513) 721-4660 for full schedule
Area
Spring Grove (2885 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45225)
Opens at 7:30 AM — earlier than Cohen — and has Saturday hours, making it the best option for pre-route scrap drops and weekend metal sales. Located on Spring Grove Avenue with good highway access. Pays market rates for all ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity ReStore (4 locations)
Free disposal for donatable items with tax deduction — four metro locations with pickup serviceRate
Free drop-off · Pickup service: $35 fee
No minimum
Hours
Mon–Sat (hours vary by location)
Area
Bond Hill: 4910 Para Dr (513) 621-0061 · Cheviot: 3970 North Bend Rd (513) 389-1792 · Fairfield: 4655 Dixie Hwy · Loveland: 10681 Loveland Madeira Rd (513) 774-2210
Four metro locations accepting usable furniture, appliances, building materials, cabinetry, and fixtures. Free drop-off with tax-deductible receipt. Pickup service available for $35. Diverting donatable items avoids landfill tipping fees and can be marketed as a 'green junk removal' differentiator to environmentally conscious customers.
Rules & Restrictions
Know before you go — avoid rejected loads and fines.
City of Cincinnati Commercial Waste Hauler Franchise Program — junk removal operators working within city limits should verify compliance requirements at cincinnati-oh.gov/oes/commercial-waste-hauler-program/
Rumpke Landfill does NOT accept hazardous waste, liquid waste, manufacturing/process waste (sludge, sand, filters, paint waste), chemical-contaminated rags/absorbents, or radioactive materials
Republic Evendale Transfer Station is strictly COMMERCIAL — do not bring residential customers for walk-in drop-off. Multiple user reports confirm no residential access.
All loads must be tarped at Rumpke Landfill — no exceptions. Cincinnati area enforcement is consistent.
Ohio's state disposal surcharge is $4.75/ton — higher than Michigan ($0.36) or Indiana ($0.60). Factor this into every per-ton cost calculation.
State-issued ID required at all scrap metal recyclers (Cohen, River Metals) per Ohio law.
Cincinnati's disposal market is dominated by Rumpke to a degree unusual for a major metro — they own the only MSW landfill AND the dominant transfer station network. This concentration means limited pricing competition for MSW disposal.
Cohen Recycling accepts Freon appliances for $15 or less — dramatically cheaper than the $70–$150 Freon surcharges at landfills in Columbus and Indianapolis. Always route appliances to Cohen.
E-Town Landfill does NOT prorate for smaller C&D loads — you pay the same rate whether you bring a half-load or a full one. Consolidate C&D from multiple jobs before hauling to E-Town, or use Hafner's for smaller quantities.
Cost-Saving Tips
Margin protection playbook — sorting, timing, and routing.
Sorting Strategy
Route all C&D to Hafner's recycling center instead of Rumpke Landfill — Hafner's recycling-first model typically charges less than MSW rates for clean, sorted construction loads. Clean hard fill (concrete, asphalt, brick) may be accepted at even lower rates.
Send every appliance to Cohen Recycling — they accept Freon units for $15 or less AND pay you for the metal value. Compare this to $70–$150 per Freon unit at most Midwest landfills. On a 3-appliance kitchen remodel, Cohen saves $200–$400 versus landfill disposal.
Donate usable furniture and working appliances to Habitat ReStore (4 Cincinnati locations) — free disposal with a tax-deductible receipt, or $35 for pickup service. Market this as 'green junk removal' to differentiate from competitors.
Timing Strategy
Arrive at Rumpke Landfill before 8:00 AM to avoid peak-hour queues — a landfill processing 12,500 tons/day moves efficiently but attracts heavy early-morning commercial traffic
Saturday at Rumpke: arrive before 8:00 AM for the shortest wait. Gates close at 11:30 AM. Republic Evendale also has Saturday hours (8 AM–noon).
River Metals Recycling opens at 7:30 AM with Saturday hours — ideal for pre-route scrap drops. Cohen closes at 3:00 PM with no Saturday hours, so plan weekday scrap runs through Norwood.
Routing Strategy
East-side jobs: Cohen Norwood for scrap and appliances, then Hafner's on Wooster Pike for C&D. Both are in the east metro corridor.
North and northwest jobs: Rumpke Landfill on Struble Road for MSW, Republic Evendale for commercial loads. Cohen Sharonville (12175 Reading Rd) for scrap.
Mixed residential cleanouts: Sort on-truck → metals to Cohen (revenue) → C&D to Hafner's (below MSW rates) → donatable items to nearest ReStore (free) → remaining MSW to Rumpke. This four-stream approach minimizes your per-load Rumpke cost.
Best Practice
Cincinnati's Rumpke monopoly means your MSW disposal rate is essentially non-negotiable without significant volume. The real margin opportunity is in diversion — every pound you route to Cohen (revenue), Hafner's (below MSW rates), or ReStore (free) is a pound you're NOT paying Rumpke to landfill. ScaleYourJunk tracks dump fees per job and per facility so you can quantify exactly how much your diversion strategy saves per month.
One Landfill Dominates Cincinnati — Diversion Is Your Margin Strategy
ScaleYourJunk tracks disposal costs per job across every facility — landfill, C&D recycler, scrap yard, and donation center — so you can see your real savings.
Dump Fees in Cincinnati: FAQ
Related Resources
Ohio Junk Removal Market Guide
Demographics, competitor landscape, pricing benchmarks, and regulations for operating in Ohio.
DataCincinnati Metro Junk Removal Market
Competitor analysis, neighborhood targeting, and entry strategy for the Cincinnati metro area.
DataColumbus Dump Fees
SWACO facility data and published tipping fees for operators comparing Ohio disposal costs.
FeatureLoad-Based Pricing Engine
Build accurate disposal costs into every quote with volume-based pricing tiers.
Rumpke Dominates Cincinnati — Diversion Is Your Competitive Edge
ScaleYourJunk tracks disposal costs per job across every facility so you can quantify how much your sorting and diversion strategy saves each month.
Dump fee tracking included in all plans — Starter $149/mo