New Orleans Dump Fees & Disposal Guide for Junk Removal Operators
River Birch Landfill at ~$24/ton and Jefferson Parish at $24.40/ton — among the cheapest disposal in the US.
Last updated: Mar 2026
$24–$55/ton
Typical dump fee range
Fee basis
Per ton
Common materials
Biggest cost trap
River Birch Landfill at approximately $24/ton and Jefferson Parish Landfill at $24.40/ton are among the lowest tipping fees in the entire country. Orleans Parish does not operate its own landfill — waste routes through private transfer stations to regional landfills.
Typical Costs in New Orleans
Baseline pricing before you dig into individual facilities.
MSW
$24–$55/ton
2-ton minimum typical
Basis: Per ton
infoRiver Birch Landfill: ~$24/ton with 2-ton minimum loads for commercial haulers. Jefferson Parish Landfill (Kelven Tract): $24.40/ton with gate fees starting at $15 for loads under 1 ton. Private transfer stations in Orleans Parish charge $33.91–$45/ton depending on volume contracts. Southeast regional average $56.27/ton — New Orleans runs 57% below regional rates. Mixed loads typically weigh 250-400 lbs per cubic yard.
1River Birch at ~$24/ton saves $32/ton versus regional average — annual savings of $15,000+ for operators running 20 tons/month
2Jefferson Parish Kelven Tract at $24.40/ton accepts smaller loads with $15 gate fee versus $48 minimum at most facilities
3Orleans Parish transfer stations add $10-20/ton markup but save 45+ minutes drive time to Jefferson Parish
4Negotiate volume contracts at transfer stations for loads over 100 tons/month to get closer to direct landfill rates
C&D
$24–$55/ton
Call for minimums
Basis: Per ton
infoC&D accepted at River Birch and Jefferson Parish at same MSW rates (~$24/ton). Clean concrete and asphalt may qualify for $18-22/ton at specialized C&D facilities. Mixed C&D with significant wood/drywall content routes at standard MSW rates. Contaminated C&D (asbestos, lead paint) requires hazmat surcharges $150-300/ton. Operators save $8-12/ton by sorting clean materials before disposal.
1Sort clean concrete/asphalt for $18-22/ton disposal versus $24/ton mixed C&D — saves $200-400/month for renovation-heavy operators
2Remove metals from C&D loads for scrap revenue — steel beams, copper, aluminum generate $0.10-0.80/lb
3Separate clean wood for biomass facilities at $16-20/ton versus $24/ton landfill disposal
4Document non-hazmat status to avoid $150-300/ton contaminated material surcharges
Scrap Metal
$0.05–$2.50/lb
50 lbs typical
Basis: Per lb
infoNew Orleans port city proximity supports strong scrap export pricing. Steel/iron: $0.05-0.15/lb. Aluminum: $0.65-0.85/lb. Copper: $2.20-2.50/lb. Brass: $1.40-1.70/lb. Stainless steel: $0.35-0.55/lb. Auto batteries: $0.18-0.22/lb. Appliance white goods: $0.08-0.12/lb after Freon removal. Major yards require 50+ lb minimums but pay premium rates for clean, sorted loads.
1Port city export access means 10-15% higher scrap prices versus inland markets — extra $300-500/month revenue for metal-heavy operators
2Sort copper separately from mixed metals for $2.00+/lb premium versus $0.35/lb mixed rate
3Remove motors from appliances before scrapping — electric motors bring $0.25-0.35/lb versus $0.10/lb whole appliance rate
4Batch loads to 500+ lbs for volume bonuses — many yards pay 5-10% premium on large clean loads
Yard Waste
$18–$28/ton
1 ton typical
Basis: Per ton
infoClean yard waste accepted at specialized facilities for $18-24/ton. Mixed yard waste with trash content routes to MSW at $24+/ton. Loose leaf/grass loads require covering to prevent spillage fines $50-100. Palm fronds and storm debris may require chipping surcharge $5-8/ton. Hurricane season generates massive yard waste volumes — book disposal slots early during storm periods.
1Route clean yard waste to dedicated facilities at $18-24/ton versus $24-45/ton MSW disposal — saves $150-300/month during growing season
2Chip palm fronds and large branches on-site to avoid $5-8/ton processing fees
3Cover loose loads to avoid $50-100 spillage fines on highways and at facilities
4Batch yard waste loads during non-peak seasons when facilities offer $2-4/ton discounts
Surcharges
$5–$300/item
Per item
Basis: Per item or ton
infoStandard surcharges: Tires $5-15/tire depending on size. Freon appliances $25-45/item for refrigerant recovery. TV/monitors $15-25/item for CRT processing. Mattresses $8-15/item at some facilities. Louisiana requires commercial hauler permits in most parishes — Orleans Parish $150/year, Jefferson Parish $200/year. Overweight vehicle fines $200-500 if caught over 80,000 lbs gross vehicle weight. Load covering required on highways — fines $100-250 for uncovered debris loads.
1Remove Freon from appliances yourself with EPA certification to avoid $25-45/item facility charges — saves $400-800/month for appliance-heavy routes
2Sort tires by size — passenger car tires $5-8/item, truck tires $12-15/item at most facilities
3Partner with electronics recyclers for free TV/monitor disposal versus $15-25/item landfill charges
4Invest in quality tarps and load securement to avoid $100-250 spillage fines — ROI in 2-3 avoided citations
Facilities in New Orleans
Recommended facilities first, then additional options.
Top Recommended (5)
River Birch Landfill
~$24/ton MSW — among cheapest in the USRate
~$24/ton — call for current commercial rates
2-ton minimum for commercial haulers
Hours
Mon-Fri 6:30am-4:30pm, Sat 7am-12pm, Sun closed
Area
7200 River Birch Dr, Avondale (Jefferson Parish west bank)
Private landfill operated by Waste Management. Among the lowest tipping fees in the country at approximately $24/ton. Scale house processes commercial loads quickly — average wait time 5-10 minutes. Gate fee waived for loads over 2 tons. Accepts most materials including C&D, tires, and Freon appliances. No hazardous waste. Credit terms available for established haulers with 30+ loads/month.
Jefferson Parish Landfill (Kelven Tract)
$24.40/ton — parish-operated, transparent rateRate
$24.40/ton
$15 gate fee for loads under 1 ton
Hours
Mon-Fri 7am-3:30pm, Sat 7am-11:30am, Sun closed
Area
4949 Kelven Dr, Marrero (Jefferson Parish west bank)
Parish-operated landfill with published transparent rates. Accepts MSW and C&D from all Louisiana parishes. Efficient scale operations with dedicated commercial lane. $15 minimum gate fee makes it cost-effective for smaller loads under 1 ton. Strong relationships with local haulers — monthly billing available for established operators. Tire disposal $8/passenger tire, $12/truck tire.
Central City Transfer & Recycling
Mixed loads with recycling options, $33-38/tonRate
$33-38/ton MSW, free metal/cardboard separation
$20 minimum
Hours
Mon-Fri 7am-5pm, Sat 8am-2pm, Sun closed
Area
1945 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans (Orleans Parish)
Transfer station with on-site recycling separation. Staff pulls metals and clean cardboard from mixed loads at no charge — can reduce disposal tonnage by 15-25%. MSW residual goes to regional landfills. Popular with residential cleanout operators due to material recovery revenue sharing. Electronic waste accepted for $0.15/lb. Appliance Freon removal $30/item.
Gulf Coast Scrap & Recycling
Premium scrap metal prices — port export accessRate
Steel $0.12/lb, Aluminum $0.75/lb, Copper $2.35/lb
50 lbs mixed metals, 25 lbs single metals
Hours
Mon-Fri 7am-4:30pm, Sat 8am-12pm, Sun closed
Area
3120 Gen DeGaulle Dr, New Orleans (Algiers)
Major scrap processor with port export access driving premium prices 10-15% above regional rates. Fast processing with magnetic cranes for ferrous separation. Clean loads get premium pricing — dirty/mixed loads discounted 15-20%. Monthly volume bonuses for 5+ tons. Catalytic converter purchases require ID verification and paperwork per Louisiana law. Same-day payment via check or ACH.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore New Orleans
Free disposal for reusable furniture, appliances, building materialsRate
Free pickup for large donations, tax receipt provided
No minimum
Hours
Tue-Sat 9am-5pm, Mon/Sun closed
Area
2900 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans (multiple locations)
Nonprofit accepting working appliances, good furniture, and clean building materials. Free pickup available for large donations — saves $24/ton disposal fees. Tax receipt provided for charitable deductions. Popular items: kitchen cabinets, hardwood flooring, working appliances, office furniture. Strict quality standards — items must be clean and functional. Build relationships with store managers for consistent donation scheduling.
Rules & Restrictions
Know before you go — avoid rejected loads and fines.
Orleans Parish has no municipal landfill — all waste routes through private transfer stations at $33-45/ton versus $24/ton direct landfill access in Jefferson Parish.
Louisiana requires commercial hauler permits in most parishes: Orleans Parish $150/year, Jefferson Parish $200/year, other metro parishes $75-300/year.
Overweight vehicle enforcement active on I-10, I-610, and Crescent City Connection — fines $200-500 for exceeding 80,000 lbs gross vehicle weight.
Load covering required by Louisiana DOT on all highways — uncovered debris fines $100-250 per violation, plus liability for road damage caused by spillage.
Commercial hauler permits required in Orleans ($150/year) and Jefferson ($200/year) parishes — some facilities check permits at gate.
EPA Freon recovery certification required for appliance disposal — facilities charge $25-45/item if you cannot certify refrigerant removal.
Hazardous waste manifests required for contaminated C&D materials — asbestos, lead paint, treated lumber require special disposal at $150-300/ton.
New Orleans disposal rates at $24-24.40/ton are among the cheapest in the entire US — 61% below national average ($62.28/ton) and 57% below Southeast average ($56.27/ton).
Orleans Parish transfer station markup ($33-45/ton) versus direct Jefferson Parish landfill disposal ($24/ton) creates $9-21/ton premium for city convenience — routing choice impacts margins significantly.
Hurricane season (June-November) generates massive debris volumes — facilities may implement temporary surcharges or require advance booking during major storm cleanup periods.
Cost-Saving Tips
Margin protection playbook — sorting, timing, and routing.
Sorting Strategy
Separate metals from mixed loads for scrap revenue — steel at $0.12/lb, aluminum at $0.75/lb, copper at $2.35/lb saves $50-150/month versus $24/ton disposal costs
Route clean furniture and working appliances to Habitat ReStore for free disposal versus $24/ton landfill fees — saves $200-400/month for residential cleanout operators
Sort clean yard waste for $18-24/ton disposal versus $24-45/ton mixed MSW rates — saves $150-300/month during growing seasons
Separate electronics for specialized recycling at $0.15/lb versus $24/ton landfill disposal — generates revenue on high-volume electronics cleanouts
Pull clean cardboard and paper for recycling revenue sharing at Central City Transfer — reduces disposal tonnage by 10-20% on office cleanouts
Timing Strategy
Schedule dump runs before 10am to avoid afternoon traffic on I-10 and Crescent City Connection — saves 20-30 minutes per trip during peak periods
Book disposal slots early during hurricane season when facilities get overwhelmed with storm debris — avoid emergency surcharges of $10-20/ton
Time C&D disposal during off-peak construction seasons (December-February) when some facilities offer $2-5/ton discounts for consistent volume
Coordinate multiple small loads into single trips over 2-ton minimum to avoid gate fees and maximize efficiency
Routing Strategy
For Jefferson Parish jobs: route directly to River Birch ($24/ton) or Kelven Tract ($24.40/ton) to avoid $10-20/ton transfer station markup
For Orleans Parish jobs: calculate drive time versus cost — 45+ minutes to Jefferson Parish saves $9-21/ton but factor fuel and labor costs at $35-45/hour
Batch multiple Orleans Parish pickups before single Jefferson Parish dump run to maximize savings on direct landfill disposal rates
Use Central City Transfer for mixed recyclable loads to reduce disposal tonnage through material recovery — saves $5-12/ton on contaminated loads
Best Practice
Track dump fees per job in ScaleYourJunk software to identify routing inefficiencies. New Orleans has exceptional disposal rates ($24/ton) but Orleans Parish transfer station markup adds $9-21/ton — proper routing and load batching saves $2,000-4,000/year for operators running 15+ tons monthly. Document all facility relationships for consistent pricing and payment terms.
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Dump Fees in New Orleans: FAQ
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Track Every Dump Fee Automatically
ScaleYourJunk logs disposal costs per job, per facility, and rolls them into per-truck P&L reports. Stop losing margin to untracked dump fees in New Orleans.
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