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Tips to lighten your load and pay less for disposal
Garbage and recycling › Metro's garbage and recycling facilities › tips to lighten your load and pay less
Find out how you can save time and money at Metro's transfer stations by preparing your load correctly.
Tips to lighten your load and pay less.
Save time and money! The more you know before you go, the less you’ll pay.
- Know which items are accepted at Metro’s transfer stations for recycling at no charge.
- Sort and separate common recyclables - paper, plastics and scrap metal - and earn a rebate on disposal.
- Put recyclables on the top or at one end of your load.
- Some items are not accepted for recycling, such as plate or tempered glass, barbed wire and riding lawn mowers.
- Some items are not accepted for disposal or recycling, such as vehicles, loads of liquids and petroleum contaminated soil.
- Make it safe – put dangerous materials in a cardboard box, like pool and spa chemicals.
- Put lighter-weight items at the bottom of the load. Don’t overload.
- Keep it safe for yourself and others on the road.
- Cut down on litter and disposal fees. Use a tarp and tie it down with straps or bungee cords.
- Know your load. Be prepared to describe contents to the attendant.
Have you been cleaning your home, office or garage? It can be a daunting task. After considering items to repair, repurpose, swap, share or donate, there are some basic ideas to keep in mind as you get your load for disposal ready. These tips can save you time and money. It’s pretty simple - the more you know before you go, the less you’ll pay. Watch a video of a transfer station in action
Sort and separate your recyclables
If you sort and separate your recyclables,you will receive a $3 rebate on your disposal charge for less than 100 pounds of recyclables or a $6 rebate for 100 pounds or more. The minimum amount of recycling to qualify for the rebate is half a cubic yard. Put your recyclables on the top or at one end of your load, so that they are easily separated when you arrive at the transfer station.
You can also choose to deposit your recyclables and return to the scalehouse to weigh your garbage separately. You’ll end up paying less if you remove your recyclables from the trash.
Make it safe
Certain materials – such as pool and spa chemicals, paint, sharps and hazardous waste – will not be accepted for disposal and should not be mixed with other garbage. You can take these materials to Metro's hazardous waste facilities, which are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Find out how to dispose of hazardous waste
Cover your load
Pay a lower rate when you cover your load. Uncovered loads are not only more costly, but dangerous to other vehicles on the road if materials come out of your vehicle during transport. There is also the risk of having your trash or recycling become litter on the roadways if your load is not covered, which can result in a fine by law enforcement officials.Find disposal rates
Know your load
Be prepared to describe the contents of your load to the attendant at the transfer station. If you've separated your recyclables, hazardous waste and appliances, you'll be directed to an area designated for those materials. Then you will dispose of the remainder of your load inside the transfer station. Find out what materials are accepted
Featured video
Watch the video for a behind-the-scenes look at Metro’s transfer stations
The public transfer stations operated by Metro are a complex and well-orchestrated mix of people, processes and technology. How they work is a fascinating, dynamic and visual story. Check out this video by Metro and its partners for a behind-the-scenes look and to find out what to expect when you visit. Watch the video
A special thanks to partners for their help creating the video, including John Waller (Uncage the Soul Productions), videographer; the Jacobson family; Walsh Trucking; Heiberg Garbage; Allied Waste and Recology, station operators; Waste Management, landfill operator; and Metro staff.
