NYC Dump Fees & Disposal Guide for Junk Removal Operators
Transfer station rates estimated at $120–$170+/ton. BIC licensing, Commercial Waste Zones, and congestion pricing in 2026.
Last updated: Mar 2026
$74–$170+/ton (estimated)
Typical dump fee range
Fee basis
Per ton, negotiated per commercial account
Common materials
Biggest cost trap
No NYC transfer station publicly posts tipping fees — rates are negotiated per account. Operators who accept the first quoted rate without shopping facilities leave money on the table. Call Lemcor (NJ), WM BQE, Action Environmental, and Hi-Tech for competing quotes.
Typical Costs in NYC
Baseline pricing before you dig into individual facilities.
MSW (Household Junk)
$120–$170+/ton (estimated)
Negotiated per account
Basis: Per ton
infoNo NYC private transfer station publishes tipping fees — all rates are negotiated per commercial account. Industry sources estimate MSW at $120–$170+/ton as of 2024–2025. NJ facilities may offer lower rates: Union County flow-controlled MSW is $122.25/ton and Essex County waste-to-energy was reported at ~$74.30/ton (Dec 2023, potentially stale). Factor in bridge/tunnel tolls ($16+ for commercial vehicles at GWB) when comparing NJ options.
1Get competing quotes from at least 3 transfer stations — rates are negotiated and vary significantly between facilities
2Compare NYC facility quotes against NJ options (Lemcor in Newark, WM in Elizabeth) including toll and drive time costs
C&D (Construction Debris)
$130+/ton (estimated)
Negotiated per account
Basis: Per ton
infoC&D rates at NYC transfer stations are not publicly posted. Union County (NJ) reference rate for C&D is $130.02/ton. NYC C&D rates are likely comparable or higher. BIC requires a separate Class 2 C&D Registration ($3,500) for companies removing construction and demolition debris. C&D hauling in NYC is NOT under the Republic Services exclusive franchise — operators may choose their own hauler.
1Separate scrap metals from C&D loads — NYC copper prices average ~$4.70/lb at Sims Metal yards, turning disposal cost into revenue
2Obtain a BIC Class 2 C&D Registration if doing regular demo/renovation work — different from the Trade Waste Removal License
Scrap Metal Revenue
$0.30–$5.00/lb (paid to you)
No minimum at Sims yards
Basis: Per pound (market rate)
infoNYC scrap prices as of February 2026: bare bright copper ~$5.00/lb, copper average ~$4.70/lb, red brass ~$2.60/lb, yellow brass ~$1.60/lb, aluminum ~$0.86/lb, stainless steel ~$0.30/lb. At $120–$170+/ton disposal costs, aggressive metal separation is essential for profitability. Sims Metal operates yards in the Bronx (Hunts Point) and Long Island City (Queens).
1Pull copper, brass, and aluminum from every load — at $4.70/lb copper, a single AC unit compressor can yield $15–$30 in scrap revenue
2Establish a regular delivery cadence with Sims Metal for better pricing — LIC location has extended hours (6AM–6PM weekdays)
Surcharges & NYC-Specific Costs
$2.25–$21.60 per entry
Per-entry tolls apply
Basis: Per entry, per day, or per ton
infoCongestion pricing (effective January 5, 2025) for Manhattan below 60th Street: small trucks $14.40/entry peak, $3.60 overnight; large trucks $21.60/entry peak, $5.40 overnight. Bridge/tunnel tolls for NJ facilities: $16+ for commercial vehicles at GWB. NJ Recycling Enhancement Act adds $3.00/ton at NJ disposal facilities. BIC caps what licensed carters can charge clients at $26.87/cu yd for loose refuse. NYS e-waste disposal ban: $100 fine for putting electronics in trash.
1Schedule Manhattan below-60th jobs overnight (9PM–5AM weekdays) for 75% congestion pricing reduction via E-ZPass
2Factor congestion pricing, bridge tolls, and NJ surcharges into every job estimate — these hidden costs add $15–$40+ per trip
Facilities in NYC
Recommended facilities first, then additional options.
Top Recommended (4)
Action Environmental / IWS — Bronx Transfer Station
24-hour MSW disposal — NYC's largest private hauler with 14 of 20 Commercial Waste Zone awardsRate
Call (718) 665-2368 or 1-866-DIAL-IWS for commercial rates — not publicly posted
Negotiated per account
Hours
Mon–Fri 24 hrs (closed 7:30PM–8PM for shift change), Sat closes 12PM
Area
Bronx (East 132nd Street)
NYC's largest private hauler. IWS/Action owns both hauling and disposal assets — one of only two companies with this dual capability in NYC. Awarded 14 of 20 Commercial Waste Zones. 24-hour weekday operations allow off-peak dumping to avoid wait times. BIC license required for all haulers. LEED tracking portal available for commercial accounts. Additional IWS/Action locations at Hunts Point (315 Casanova St), multiple Brooklyn sites.
Hi-Tech Resource Recovery (Brooklyn)
BIC-registered self-haulers welcome — extended overnight hours and Brooklyn convenienceRate
Call (718) 386-5750 — not publicly posted
Contact facility
Hours
Sun 10PM–Mon 3PM, Mon 10PM–Tue 3PM, Tue 10PM–Wed 3PM, Wed 10PM–Thu 3PM, Thu 10PM–Fri 3PM, Fri 10PM–Sat 10AM; closed Sat night into Sunday
Area
North Brooklyn (Williamsburg/Greenpoint area — ~1 mile from BQE Exit 33)
Independent facility operating since 1988 that explicitly welcomes BIC-registered self-haulers — a practical option for smaller junk removal operators. Extended overnight weekday hours (reopening at 10PM nightly) may offer shorter wait times. Capacity: 214 tons/day MSW and 100 tons/day source-separated waste. Recyclables (metal, cardboard, rigid plastics) sorted and sent to sister facility Scholes Street Recycling. Online payment portal available.
Lemcor Solid Waste Transfer Station & MRF (Newark, NJ)
NJ alternative for NYC haulers — 24/7/365 operations, ~11 miles from Times SquareRate
Call (973) 642-1212 or contact Monique Rodwell at (973) 856-4849 — pricing by quote based on volume and payment terms
Quote-based
Hours
24/7/365 for commercial customers; 6AM–9PM for exempt haulers (homeowners)
Area
Newark, NJ (~11 miles from Times Square — closest to all major NJ/NY roadways)
Explicitly marketed to NYC-area commercial haulers. Open 24/7/365 — the only facility profiled with true year-round, round-the-clock access. ~11 miles from Times Square via NJ Turnpike/I-95. Factor in bridge/tunnel tolls ($16+ for commercial vehicles at GWB) and NJ Recycling Enhancement Act surcharge ($3.00/ton) when comparing against NYC facility quotes. NJDEP hauling decals required for commercial vehicles. Accepts Visa, MC, Discover, AmEx (3.5% credit card surcharge). Commercial credit application available online.
Sims Metal — Bronx & Long Island City (Queens)
Scrap metal recycling — get paid instead of paying. Two NYC locations with strong copper/brass prices.Rate
Market rates — copper ~$4.70/lb, brass ~$1.60–$2.60/lb, aluminum ~$0.86/lb, stainless ~$0.30/lb (Feb 2026 NYC averages)
No minimum
Hours
Bronx: Mon–Fri 7AM–3:30PM, Sat 7AM–2:30PM; LIC: Mon–Fri 6AM–6PM, Sat 6AM–2PM
Area
Bronx: 850 Edgewater Rd (Hunts Point); Queens: 30-27 Greenpoint Ave (LIC)
Sims Metal (division of ASX-listed Sims Limited) operates two NYC yards. At $120–$170+/ton disposal costs, diverting metals to Sims turns disposal expense into revenue. LIC location has longer hours (6AM–6PM weekdays). No appointment necessary at either location. Valid government-issued photo ID required for all sellers. Customized scrap management programs available for regular commercial accounts. Roll-off container services and barge loading available.
Rules & Restrictions
Know before you go — avoid rejected loads and fines.
BIC (Business Integrity Commission) license required for ALL commercial waste hauling in NYC. Trade Waste Removal License: $5,000 + $600 investigation fee + $500/vehicle (2-year term). Operating without a license: up to 6 months imprisonment and $10,000/day fine.
DSNY Marine Transfer Stations are NOT open to private haulers — exclusively for DSNY-collected residential waste. All private operators must use BIC-permitted private transfer stations.
NYS e-waste disposal ban: electronics cannot go in regular trash. $100 fine per violation. CRTs, monitors, TVs, computers must go to certified recyclers.
NJDEP hauling decals required on all commercial vehicles using NJ disposal facilities. Homeowners in non-commercial vehicles under 9,000 lbs GVW are exempt.
BIC Trade Waste Removal License application requires: notarized certification and release forms, business formation docs, driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, insurance certificates (auto liability + workers' comp with BIC as certificate holder), tax returns, and fingerprinting. You CANNOT operate until approval is granted.
Commercial Waste Zones (CWZ) under Local Law 199 of 2019 divide NYC into 20 zones with designated haulers. Verify your CWZ obligations before servicing commercial clients.
All commercial waste in NYC must be in rigid, lidded containers — NYC containerization rules affect your equipment needs.
No NYC transfer station publicly posts tipping fees. ALL rates are negotiated per commercial account. Get competing quotes from at least 3 facilities before committing.
Congestion pricing (effective January 5, 2025): Manhattan below 60th Street tolls — small trucks $14.40/entry peak, $3.60 overnight. Schedule below-60th jobs overnight for 75% savings.
BIC caps what licensed carters can charge clients at $26.87/cu yd for loose refuse. Know this cap when pricing jobs — you cannot pass all disposal costs to the customer if they exceed the BIC maximum.
Goodwill NYNJ does NOT accept furniture or large appliances — a major limitation. Habitat ReStore in Yonkers is the only metro option for furniture/appliance donation, but it is outside the five boroughs.
Cost-Saving Tips
Margin protection playbook — sorting, timing, and routing.
Sorting Strategy
Separate scrap metals from every load and sell to Sims Metal (Bronx or LIC). At $120–$170+/ton disposal costs, metal diversion is not optional — it is essential for profitability. Copper averages ~$4.70/lb, brass $1.60–$2.60/lb, aluminum ~$0.86/lb. A single AC unit compressor can yield $15–$30 in scrap. The LIC yard is open 6AM–6PM weekdays for maximum flexibility.
Route reusable furniture and appliances to Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Yonkers (470 Nepperhan Ave, (332) 777-5060) — accepts items that Goodwill does NOT. Pickup service available. For clothing and smaller household goods, use Goodwill NYNJ locations across the boroughs. Every item diverted from transfer stations saves $120–$170+ per ton in dump fees.
Sort wood waste, cardboard, and metals from mixed loads before arriving at the transfer station. Some facilities (Hi-Tech, Action) sort recyclables internally, but pre-sorting may earn you better per-ton rates on negotiated accounts.
Timing Strategy
Use 24-hour facilities (Action Environmental, WM BQE, Lemcor) for off-peak dumping during overnight hours when wait times are shortest. Hi-Tech reopens at 10PM nightly — overnight operations may process loads faster.
Schedule Manhattan below-60th Street jobs during overnight hours (9PM–5AM weekdays) to pay $3.60 congestion pricing instead of $14.40 for small trucks — a 75% savings per entry.
Routing Strategy
Compare NYC transfer station quotes against NJ options. Lemcor in Newark (~11 miles from Times Square) explicitly serves NYC haulers with 24/7/365 access. Factor in GWB tolls ($16+ for commercial vehicles), NJ REA surcharge ($3.00/ton), and drive time for true cost comparison.
For Bronx jobs, Action Environmental on East 132nd Street and Sims Metal in Hunts Point are within the same area — dump refuse at Action and sell metals at Sims on the same trip.
For Brooklyn jobs, WM BQE (Scott Ave) and Hi-Tech (Williamsburg) are both in north Brooklyn near the BQE — compare quotes between them.
Best Practice
Track dump fees per job and per facility in ScaleYourJunk to identify your true all-in disposal cost including tolls, surcharges, and drive time. In NYC at $120–$170+/ton estimated rates plus congestion pricing and bridge tolls, untracked disposal costs will consume 15–20%+ of gross revenue. The platform logs every dump run so you can compare negotiated rates across facilities and optimize your routing strategy.
Track Every Dump Fee Across the Five Boroughs
ScaleYourJunk logs disposal costs per job, per facility, including tolls and surcharges. At $120–$170+/ton, every untracked dump run destroys margin.
Dump Fees in NYC: FAQ
Related Resources
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Statewide market data, BIC licensing requirements, and competitive landscape for New York operators.
GuideHow to Start a Junk Removal Business
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GuidePricing Strategy Guide
Build high disposal costs, tolls, and licensing overhead into profitable pricing in expensive markets like NYC.
FeatureLoad-Based Pricing
Price junk removal jobs by truck load capacity to account for variable disposal costs across facilities.
DataPhiladelphia Dump Fees & Disposal Guide
Facility-level dump fees and disposal options for the Philadelphia metro area.
Track Every Dump Fee Automatically
ScaleYourJunk logs disposal costs per job, per facility, including tolls, surcharges, and NJ runs. In NYC at $120–$170+/ton, untracked dump fees will destroy your margins.
Dump fee tracking included in all plans — Starter $149/mo