Polk County and Republic Services are aware of recent concerns shared by residents regarding landfill charges at the Polk County Landfill in Leggett, particularly for those using small trailers or disposing of loose items. We appreciate the public’s feedback and want to provide clarification to ensure that our residents are treated fairly and consistently under current policies.
Polk County contracts with Republic Services to operate the Polk County Landfill and five citizens collection stations. As a reminder, Polk County residents are charged by weight for household trash taken to the landfill at a rate of $0.0271 per pound, which equals $54.20 per ton. This rate is significantly lower than the commercial gate rate and is intended to make responsible waste disposal accessible and affordable for county residents.
To clarify – residents using a trailer or bringing unbagged household waste may still qualify for the discounted per-pound rate, as long as they can provide proof of Polk County residency (such as vehicle registration, utility bill, or tax statement), and the waste is clearly not associated with commercial or contractor activity.
Examples of qualifying residential waste include old furniture, rotten lumber from home repairs, small appliances, and other household debris.
The per-pound rate does not apply to construction or demolition materials, waste from rental properties, or loads that appear to be from commercial work. These are subject to the full landfill gate rate of $54.20 per ton.
Republic Services is training staff and improving signage at the landfill to avoid potential confusion about these policies.
Polk County and Republic Services are committed to supporting our residents in keeping our community clean and safe.
For more information about landfill hours, rates and acceptable materials, please visit https://www.polktx.gov/page/Polk.Landfill.CollectionStations.
