The cost to dump trash at the Boise City Landfill depends on the type and amount of trash being disposed. Here are some quick answers about dump fees in Boise:
Residential Dump Fees
For residential customers bringing household trash to the Boise City Landfill, here are the dump fees:
- General household trash – $10 per cubic yard, with a $10 minimum charge
- Appliances containing Freon (refrigerators, freezers, A/C units) – $35 per unit
- Tires (limit 10 per visit) – $3 per tire
- Mattresses and box springs – $12 per unit
Residential customers can bring up to 1 ton (2,000 lbs) of general household trash per day. Loads over 1 ton may be subject to commercial rates.
Commercial Dump Fees
For commercial customers and contractors bringing construction debris, yard waste, or other types of trash, here are the Boise City Landfill fees:
- General trash (per ton) – $47/ton ($10 minimum)
- Clean wood waste – $25/ton ($10 minimum)
- Concrete/asphalt – $25/ton ($10 minimum)
- Dirt/fill material – $25/ton ($10 minimum)
- Appliances with Freon – $35 per unit
- Tires – $160/ton
Commercial customers are charged by weight, with disposal fees assessed per ton. The landfill scale house weighs all commercial vehicles entering and exiting to determine tonnage fees.
Other Boise City Landfill Fees
In addition to per-ton disposal fees, the Boise City Landfill charges fixed rates for certain hazardous household materials, including:
- Motor oil – $2 per gallon
- Antifreeze – $2 per gallon
- Household batteries – $1 per pound
- Fluorescent light bulbs – $1 per 4 foot bulb
The landfill also accepts electronics like TVs, computers, and appliances at no charge. However, appliances containing Freon (like refrigerators and A/C units) are subject to a $35 fee.
Dump Hours and Location
The Boise City Landfill is located at 5800 Morris Hill Road, Boise, ID 83704.
It is open to residential and commercial customers 7 days a week from 7:00am to 5:00pm, excluding major holidays.
Waste Disposal Tips for Boise Residents
To reduce dump fees and help the environment, here are some waste disposal tips for Boise residents:
- Recycle as much as possible. Boise’s curbside recycling program accepts paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, tin cans, plastic bottles, and glass.
- Compost yard waste and food scraps rather than sending it to the landfill.
- Donate used furniture, clothing, and household items to local charities.
- Bring hazardous materials like chemicals, batteries, and CFL bulbs to periodic collection events for proper disposal.
- Consider junk removal services to haul away large items like appliances.
By recycling and reusing as much as possible, Boise households can reduce dump fees and trips to the landfill.
How Dump Fees Are Calculated
Dump fees at the Boise City Landfill are calculated based on:
- Customer Type – Residential vs. commercial customers pay different rates.
- Material Type – General trash, yard waste, construction debris, dirt, tires, etc. have different rates.
- Weight/Volume – Fees for commercial customers are by tonnage. Residential fees are by cubic yard.
- Special Services – Additional fees apply for Freon removal, hazardous materials, oversize items.
Upon entering the landfill, the gate attendant will identify the customer type and material being dumped to assess the appropriate fee. Commercial vehicles proceed over the scale for accurate weight measurement.
Fees are paid at the scale house before dumping the materials. Cash, check and credit cards are accepted for payment.
Saving Money on Dump Fees
Boise residents and businesses can save money on dump fees by:
- Recycling as much as possible – Recyclables are not charged a tipping fee
- Composting yard waste and food scraps – Compost has lower fees than general trash
- Asking about discounts – Some fees can be waived for charitable organizations
- Scheduling large dump runs in advance – The landfill may offer a lower rate for high-volume dump days
- Renting a small dump trailer – Less frequent trips in a larger trailer can reduce time and labor costs
- Sharing dump runs with neighbors – Splitting the cost and fees to make fewer trips
Planning ahead, recycling, composting, and looking for available discounts can add up to significant savings on dump fees for any Boise resident or business.
Future Outlook for Boise Dump Fees
Looking ahead, Boise City Landfill fees will likely continue to gradually increase year over year. Higher costs for equipment, labor, utilities, and regulatory requirements make periodic fee hikes necessary.
For example, from 2020 to 2021, average disposal fees at the Boise landfill increased 2-3%. Similar incremental increases are likely in coming years.
Major jumps in fees would only occur if there are significant new regulations, expansions at the landfill, increases in taxes/fees from Ada County or the state, or other unforeseen costs.
Boise also has long-term plans underway to maximize the landfill’s remaining capacity. As space becomes more limited over the next 40+ years, fees may start to rise more rapidly.
Some steps Boise is taking now to manage future costs include:
- Exploring waste-to-energy options like biomass, solar, and methane capture.
- Encouraging recycling, composting, and reuse programs to divert waste.
- Planning space-saving techniques like baling, grinding, and compacting trash.
- Considering partnerships with nearby landfills as capacity decreases.
Boise officials are working to minimize fee spikes for residents and businesses. But the costs of operating the landfill will likely still rise gradually over the coming decades.
The Boise City Landfill
Here are some key facts about the Boise City Landfill:
- Location: 5800 Morris Hill Road, Boise, ID 83704
- Size: 702 acres total, 260 acres active
- Opened: 1972
- Owner/Operator: City of Boise
- Remaining Capacity: Approximately 40+ years
- Tons of Waste Landfilled Annually: ~500,000
- Services: Trash disposal, recycling, hazardous waste collection
The Boise City Landfill is the only active municipal solid waste landfill in Ada County. It serves residents and businesses throughout Boise and surrounding areas.
In addition to trash disposal, the landfill has recycling drop-off for cardboard, paper, glass, aluminum, tin cans, and plastics. It also hosts periodic household hazardous waste collection events.
Key Milestones in Boise Landfill History
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1972 | Boise City Landfill opens at current location |
| 1989 | Landfill gas collection system installed |
| 1990 | Household hazardous waste collection program begins |
| 1992 | Recycling drop-off center opens at landfill |
| 2009 | State-of-the-art landfill gas recovery plant completed |
| 2016 | Ada County switches to regional landfill system owned/operated by Boise |
For over 50 years, the Boise City Landfill has served as the primary disposal site for municipal solid waste in the region. Major upgrades to infrastructure, gas management, and recycling programs have helped the landfill operate more sustainably.
Boise Landfill Capacity Into the Future
Based on current disposal volumes and density, engineers estimate the Boise City Landfill has sufficient remaining capacity to serve the region for 40+ more years.
However, the City of Boise is also evaluating options to extend the landfill’s lifespan even further. Some potential capacity-expanding measures include:
- Purchasing adjacent properties to increase landfill footprint
- Excavating deeper disposal cells below current base elevation
- InstallingSystemsStystem Perspectivescolethane collection to reduce waste mass
- Compacting and baling waste more densely
- Grinding certain wastes like wood and brush to reduce volume
- Diverting more recyclables and compostable materials
Using a combination of these optimization strategies, the City hopes to extend the estimated closure date of the Boise City Landfill beyond 2085. This will provide continued solid waste services for citizens while allowing more time to plan for long-term regional disposal needs.
Future Boise Area Waste Management Options
While the Boise City Landfill is not projected to reach capacity for decades, local waste managers are exploring options for managing trash disposal needs beyond 2085. Some possibilities include:
- Expanded Landfill: Buying more property to expand the footprint of the Boise landfill.
- New Regional Landfill: Partnering with other cities to site and develop a new regional landfill.
- Inter-County Agreements: Entering into agreements with nearby landfills in Ada, Canyon, or Owyhee Counties.
- Waste-to-Energy: Developing technology to incinerate trash and generate electricity.
- Increased Diversion: Expanded recycling and composting programs to further reduce volumes needing landfilling.
The City will assess the costs, benefits, and feasibility of these and other options. Extensive planning and coordination with public, private, and government stakeholders will occur before selecting Boise’s next trash disposal solution.
Regardless of the disposal method, trash fees for residents and businesses will likely increase substantially once the Boise City Landfill stops accepting waste. Planning the region’s next landfill or alternative facility is crucial to managing future costs.
Tips for Reducing Personal Waste Disposal Costs in Boise
Boise residents can take several steps to reduce their personal waste disposal costs:
Recycle Properly
Boise offers free curbside recycling for all households. Be sure to recycle any paper, cardboard, cans, bottles and jars. This keeps recyclables out of the trash. Less trash means lower dump fees.
Compost Food and Yard Waste
Food scraps and yard waste can be composted at home using a simple bin or pile method. Some composting companies also offer curbside collection services in Boise. Keep compostable materials out of the trash.
Donate Used Goods
Local thrift stores happily accept used clothing, furniture, appliances, and other household goods. Donating keeps reusable items out of the landfill and lowers disposal costs.
Join Community Dump Days
Some Boise neighborhoods organize community dump days where residents share the cost of a roll-off dumpster. This splits dump fees between multiple households.
Rent a Dump Trailer
For large cleanup projects, renting an affordable dump trailer allows consolidating debris into less frequent landfill trips. Fewer trips means lower dump fees.
Sell or Repurpose Scrap Metal
Earn cash for old appliances, lawn mowers, and other scrap metal items. Or repurpose materials for DIY projects. Keeping metal scrap metal out of the landfill saves on dump fees.
Request Fee Waivers
Ask if any waste disposal or dumping fees can be waived for certain situations like community cleanups or charitable projects. Discounts are not guaranteed but sometimes available.
Take Advantage of Free Dump Weekends
Boise offers two free landfill weekends per year – one in May and one in November. Use these to clean out junk and debris for free.
Evaluating Options for Boise Businesses to Reduce Waste Disposal Costs
For Boise businesses, high dump fees can significantly impact the bottom line. Here are some options companies should consider to save on waste disposal costs:
Start a Recycling Program
Implement paper, plastic, glass and aluminum recycling programs in the office to divert materials from the trash. The city may help provide bins and collection.
Compost Food Waste
Cafeterias, restaurants, grocery stores, and other food businesses can begin composting food waste. Many haulers provide this service. Composting removes heavy organic waste from dumpsters.
Partner with Waste Haulers
Work with trash and recycling haulers that offer waste audits, container optimization, and creative fee structures to incentivize waste diversion.
Educate Employees
Train staff on proper waste sorting and make sure signage on bins is clear. Employees are key to successfully separating recyclables and compost from the trash.
Consider Waste-to-Energy
For certain industry waste streams, waste-to-energy (WTE) options like anaerobic digestion can help offset dump fees by generating usable gas, fuel or electricity.
Sell or Donate Surplus Assets
Find ways to reuse, sell or donate excess inventory, equipment, furniture, and other assets instead of landfilling them.
Negotiate Dump Fee Discounts
Larger companies may be able to negotiate lower rates, especially if they can commit to a consistent waste volume. Discounts are not guaranteed but may be possible.
Join a Recycling Co-Op
Join regional industry groups that leverage collective recycling volumes to get better rates and services. This can significantly cut costs.
Conclusion
Boise maintains one of the most affordable and well-run municipal landfills in the United States. Yet waste disposal fees still impact budgets for local residents and businesses. With advanced planning, creative diversion programs, and cross-community partnerships, Boise can continue optimizing its solid waste system to minimize costs for years to come.