Philadelphia Dump Fees & Disposal Guide for Junk Removal Operators
Estimated $75–$100+/ton across the metro. Only SECCRA publishes transparent rates at $89/ton — all others require account negotiation.
Last updated: Mar 2026
$85–$100+/ton (estimated)
Typical dump fee range
Fee basis
Per ton at all facilities
Common materials
Biggest cost trap
Neither WM, Republic Services, Reworld, nor J.P. Mascaro publishes tipping fees — all rates are negotiated per commercial account. Operators who accept the first quote without shopping leave money on the table. SECCRA in Chester County ($89/ton) is the only facility with transparent, walk-up pricing.
Typical Costs in Philadelphia
Baseline pricing before you dig into individual facilities.
MSW (Household Junk)
$85–$100+/ton (estimated)
$5 at SECCRA; negotiated elsewhere
Basis: Per ton
infoPA state average MSW tipping fee is $85.45/ton (EREF 2024). Northeast regional average is $80.67/ton. SECCRA Landfill in Chester County is the only facility with published rates at $89/ton (effective January 1, 2026). DCSWA transfer stations in Delaware County were approximately $87/ton per 2024 budget data. WM, Republic, and Reworld rates are negotiated per account — estimated $75–$100+/ton depending on volume and contract terms.
1Get competing quotes from WM (Fairless, Grays Ferry), Republic (TRC, Quickway), and Reworld before committing to a single facility
2Use SECCRA's $89/ton transparent pricing as your benchmark when negotiating rates with private facilities
C&D (Construction Debris)
Negotiated — not published
Negotiated per account
Basis: Per ton
infoC&D rates are not published by any major Philadelphia-area facility. WM Fairless Landfill and WM Grays Ferry Transfer Station both accept C&D. Waste-to-energy facilities (Reworld Plymouth and Delaware Valley) generally do NOT accept C&D — it is non-combustible. Route C&D to landfills or transfer stations, not WTE plants. Separate recyclable metals, clean concrete, and wood from mixed C&D to reduce tonnage at the scale.
1Route C&D to WM Fairless Landfill or Grays Ferry Transfer Station — both accept C&D debris
2Separate scrap metals from C&D loads and sell to EMR Port Richmond or M. Dunn Recycling for revenue instead of disposal cost
Green Waste & Yard Waste
$45/ton (SECCRA); negotiated elsewhere
Varies by facility
Basis: Per ton
infoSECCRA charges $45/ton for unchipped brush and limbs — roughly half the MSW rate ($89/ton). Chipped brush and yard waste under 500 lbs is free at SECCRA for municipal loads. Other facilities do not publish green waste rates. Separate yard waste from MSW loads to qualify for lower rates at SECCRA.
1Route yard waste to SECCRA at $45/ton — half the MSW rate and the only published green waste pricing in the metro
2Keep green waste loads strictly separate from MSW to qualify for the discounted rate
Surcharges & Specialty Items
$3–$50 each
Per-item fees at SECCRA
Basis: Per item
infoSECCRA published surcharges: auto tires $3 each, truck tires $20 each, tractor tires $20 each, appliances with refrigerant $12 each (SECCRA removes it), other appliances $5 each, frozen/stuck load removal $50. WM Fairless Landfill prohibits tire dropping on-site. E-waste cannot be landfilled in Pennsylvania — TVs, computers, laptops, printers, and monitors must be recycled. WM Fairless requires full PPE (vest, hard hat, boots, safety glasses, gloves) and CB radio tuned to channel 20.
1SECCRA charges only $12 per freon appliance (they remove refrigerant) — the cheapest published rate in the metro for appliance disposal
2Stock full PPE on every truck — WM Fairless requires vest, hard hat, boots, safety glasses, and gloves with no exceptions
Facilities in Philadelphia
Recommended facilities first, then additional options.
Top Recommended (5)
SECCRA Community Landfill (Chester County)
Only facility with transparent, published rates — $89/ton MSW with walk-up access and no account requiredRate
$89/ton MSW, $45/ton unchipped brush/limbs, appliances with freon $12 each, other appliances $5 each
$5 gate fee for all vehicles
Hours
Check hours at seccra.org/hours-of-operation or call (610) 869-2452
Area
West Grove, Chester County (~45 min from Center City Philadelphia)
The only facility in the Philadelphia metro with a fully published, current fee schedule (effective January 1, 2026). Walk-up commercial loads appear to be accepted without formal account setup — weight-based billing at the gate. Serves 24 municipalities and commercial haulers. Tire pricing is the most affordable found: auto tires $3 each, truck tires $20 each. Freon appliances $12 each — SECCRA handles refrigerant removal. Frozen/stuck load removal fee: $50. Electronics recycling program available. The trade-off is location — West Grove is roughly 45 minutes from Center City.
WM Fairless Landfill (Bucks County)
Large-volume MSW and C&D disposal — 3,500 tons/day capacity with 2AM commercial accessRate
Call (215) 741-2925 or WM Customer Service (800) 869-5566 — rates not published
Negotiated per account
Hours
Commercial: Mon–Fri 2AM–5PM, Sat 4AM–12PM (verify — discrepancy between WM sources); Sun closed
Area
Morrisville, Bucks County
Major regional landfill with 3,500 tons/day capacity. Opens at 2AM for commercial haulers — earliest access in the metro, suggesting large-volume operators arrive predawn to beat queues. Strict on-site rules: all trucks must have CB radio tuned to channel 20, tow hooks front and rear, full PPE (vest, hard hat, boots, safety glasses, gloves), loads must be tarped, PA Act 90 stickers required, cab cards presented at scale house, designated truck routes (Tyburn Rd to New Ford Mill Rd), 15 MPH speed limit, tire dropping prohibited. Waste profiles must be approved before first disposal. Credit/debit cards or credit account accepted.
WM Philadelphia Transfer Station — Grays Ferry
City of Philadelphia MSW and C&D — centrally located in South PhiladelphiaRate
Contact Eastern TSC at TSCEastern@wm.com or (800) 963-4776
Account required
Hours
Mon–Fri 4:30AM–4:30PM, Sat 6AM–10:30AM, Sun closed
Area
South Philadelphia (Grays Ferry Avenue)
Most centrally located disposal facility for operators working within Philadelphia proper. WM-operated transfer station accepting both MSW and C&D. Commercial account required — contact Eastern Technical Service Center at TSCEastern@wm.com or (800) 963-4776. Rail spur on-site. Opens at 4:30AM for early-morning dumps. Saturday hours are limited (6AM–10:30AM only).
EMR Philadelphia Port Richmond & M. Dunn Recycling
Scrap metal recycling — get paid instead of paying. Two major yards with extended hours.Rate
Copper #1 ~$4.25/lb, brass ~$2.55–$3.35/lb, aluminum ~$0.60–$1.05/lb, steel ~$140–$160/ton (Nov 2025–Jan 2026 Philly averages)
No minimum at either yard
Hours
EMR: Mon–Fri 7AM–7PM, Sat–Sun 7AM–5PM; M. Dunn: Mon–Fri 7:30AM–5:30PM, Sat 7AM–11AM
Area
EMR: 2950 E Tioga St (Port Richmond); M. Dunn: 3611 Welsh Rd (Holmesburg, NE Philly)
EMR Port Richmond has the best hours in the metro — open 7 days a week including evenings until 7PM on weekdays. Government-issued photo ID required for all transactions at both yards. M. Dunn is family-owned (since 1932, 4.9 stars on Google) and pays cash — specializes in HVAC scrap, copper, and non-ferrous metals. Additional EMR locations at 3057 N 2nd St (Philadelphia) and Sharon Hill (3 Industrial Dr). At $85–$100/ton disposal costs, aggressive metal separation is essential for profitability.
Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia ReStore
Furniture, appliances, building materials, cabinets — free drop-off with tax receipt and free pickup serviceRate
Free drop-off and free pickup; tax-deductible receipt provided (Tax ID: 42-1580163)
No minimum
Hours
Shopping: Mon–Sat 10AM–6PM, Sun 12PM–5PM; Donation drop-off: Mon–Sat 10AM–4PM, Sun 12PM–4PM
Area
2318 Washington Ave, Philadelphia (South Philadelphia — second location at 3111 W Allegheny appears closed)
Accepts furniture, working appliances, building materials, and cabinets that most donation centers refuse. Free pickup service for accepted donations of any size — schedule at habitatphiladelphia.vonigo.com or call (215) 739-9300. All items must be in good, clean, sellable condition — free of mold, water damage, and lead paint. Does NOT accept mattresses, items with rips/stains/odors/pet hair, or non-working appliances. At $85–$100/ton disposal costs, every item diverted here saves real money and provides a tax receipt for the customer.
Rules & Restrictions
Know before you go — avoid rejected loads and fines.
PA state law prohibits landfilling electronics — TVs, computers, laptops, printers, and monitors must be recycled. E-waste cannot go in regular loads.
WM Fairless Landfill requires full PPE (vest, hard hat, boots, safety glasses, gloves), CB radio on channel 20, tow hooks front/rear, tarped loads, PA Act 90 stickers, and cab cards at the scale house.
City of Philadelphia Sanitation Convenience Centers and HHW collection events are for residents ONLY — no commercial operators, no vehicles over 6,000 lbs, no construction debris.
Commercial operators handling hazardous waste must contract with licensed private disposal companies. No public facility in the five-county region accepts commercial HHW.
PA Act 90 waste transportation licensing: stickers required on all trucks and trailers hauling waste to PA disposal facilities. Ensure compliance before your first dump run.
WM commercial accounts require waste profile approval before first disposal at Fairless Landfill. Contact Eastern TSC at TSCEastern@wm.com or (800) 963-4776.
DCSWA (Delaware County) requires a permit for each vehicle. Register by calling (610) 892-9620.
No major private disposal company in the Philadelphia area publishes tipping fees. All rates are negotiated per commercial account. SECCRA ($89/ton) is the only facility with transparent, current pricing.
WM Fairless Landfill opens at 2AM for commercial haulers — the earliest access in the metro. Large-volume operators arrive predawn to beat queues.
Reworld Delaware Valley in Chester is the largest waste-to-energy facility in the United States at 3,510 tons/day. It processes over 1.17 million tons annually but generally does NOT accept C&D debris.
Philadelphia-area copper prices average ~$4.25/lb — strong enough to make metal separation a meaningful revenue source on every job, not just a disposal cost reduction strategy.
Cost-Saving Tips
Margin protection playbook — sorting, timing, and routing.
Sorting Strategy
Separate scrap metals from every load and sell to EMR Port Richmond (open 7 days, evenings until 7PM) or M. Dunn Recycling (cash payments, NE Philly). Copper averages ~$4.25/lb, brass $2.55–$3.35/lb, aluminum $0.60–$1.05/lb in the Philadelphia market. At $85–$100/ton disposal costs, every pound of metal diverted to scrap yards improves margin on both sides — revenue in plus disposal cost avoided.
Route reusable furniture, working appliances, and building materials to Habitat for Humanity ReStore (2318 Washington Ave, (215) 739-9300) — they offer free pickup for accepted donations. Also use Goodwill (multiple Philly locations) and Salvation Army (free pickup at 1-800-SA-TRUCK). Every item diverted eliminates tipping fees.
At SECCRA, separate yard waste from MSW. Unchipped brush and limbs are $45/ton versus $89/ton for MSW — a $44/ton savings. Chipped brush under 500 lbs is free for municipal loads. Keep green waste loads strictly separate.
Timing Strategy
WM Fairless Landfill opens at 2AM for commercial haulers — the earliest in the metro. Predawn arrivals beat queues and free up your day for jobs. Saturday hours start at 4AM.
WM Grays Ferry opens at 4:30AM. Republic Quickway opens at 6AM with the latest weekday closing at 6PM. Plan dump runs around facility hours to maximize job productivity.
Routing Strategy
For City of Philadelphia jobs, WM Grays Ferry Transfer Station (Grays Ferry Ave) is the most centrally located option. Compare WM's negotiated rate against Republic TRC (South Philly) and Quickway (NE Philly).
For Chester County or western suburban jobs, SECCRA ($89/ton) is the only transparent-pricing option and offers the most affordable tire ($3/each) and appliance ($5–$12/each) surcharges in the metro.
For Delaware County jobs, DCSWA transfer stations route waste to Reworld Delaware Valley — the largest WTE in the US. Call (610) 892-9620 for current commercial rates.
Best Practice
Track dump fees per job and per facility in ScaleYourJunk to identify your true disposal cost as a percentage of revenue. With no published rates in the Philadelphia market, the only way to know your actual costs is to log every dump run. The platform tracks disposal expenses per job, per facility, and per truck so you can compare negotiated rates and identify which facilities are giving you the best deal over time.
Track Every Dump Fee Across the Philadelphia Metro
ScaleYourJunk logs disposal costs per job, per facility, and rolls them into per-truck P&L reports. In a market with zero published rates, tracking is the only way to know your real costs.
Dump Fees in Philadelphia: FAQ
Related Resources
Pennsylvania Junk Removal Market Guide
Statewide market data, licensing requirements, and competitive landscape for Pennsylvania operators.
DataNYC Dump Fees & Disposal Guide
Transfer station rates, BIC licensing, and disposal strategies for the NYC metro.
GuideDump Run Efficiency Guide
Optimize dump run routing, load batching, and material sorting to minimize disposal costs.
FeatureRoute Optimization
Automatically optimize job sequencing and dump run routing to minimize drive time and fuel costs.
Track Every Dump Fee Automatically
ScaleYourJunk logs disposal costs per job, per facility, and rolls them into per-truck P&L reports. In a market with zero published rates, tracking is the only way to protect your margins.
Dump fee tracking included in all plans — Starter $149/mo