Polk County Landfill Fees Rise Again Today as Second Annual Increase Takes Effect

Dropping off trash or yard debris at Polk County's landfill costs more starting today. New disposal rates took effect Oct. 1 at the North Central Landfill and Transfer Station, raising the per-ton price for garbage, construction and demolition debris, and yard waste, plus a flat $10 minimum charge on every transaction.

Garbage and construction and demolition debris now run $48.30 per ton, up from $46. Yard waste climbs to $38.33 per ton, up from $36.50. The increase applies at the county's main landfill facility off K-Ville Road in Auburndale, and it ripples out to anyone whose private waste hauler passes disposal costs on through a bill.

This is the second bump in a five-year schedule. The Polk County Board of County Commissioners approved the plan on May 20, 2025, the first rate increase at the landfill in more than 13 years. That first round, which took effect last October, pushed garbage and debris rates from $36.50 to $46 per ton and yard waste from $22 to $36.50. Under the resolution, rates now rise an additional 5% every Oct. 1 through 2030.

Why the county is raising rates

County officials point to two pressures. Operational costs at the landfill have climbed steadily while the per-ton fee sat frozen for more than a decade. And the county wants a bigger cushion for storm cleanup. A share of the new revenue is earmarked for disaster recovery reserves, with a target of keeping at least $60 million on hand for hurricane debris removal.

County Manager Bill Beasley told commissioners last year that a single hurricane can run up as much as $30 million in cleanup costs. Polk County dealt with that kind of bill after the 2024 hurricane season, and officials say the reserve requirement is meant to avoid scrambling for cash the next time a storm hits.

Solid Waste Director Dale Henderson told the board the county had held rates flat for years as a benefit to residents and businesses, but said that approach could not continue given rising costs. Commissioner Michael Scott backed the increase but pushed for a gradual phase-in rather than a single steep jump, calling a flat rate near $46 per ton "the pain point" for most residents.

What it means at the gate

For homeowners hauling a truckload of yard debris after trimming trees, the math is modest but real. A half-ton load of yard waste that cost about $18 last year now runs closer to $19.20, still subject to the $10 minimum if the load is light. Larger construction debris loads from a renovation or demolition job will feel the increase more directly, since contractors typically haul by the ton rather than the truckload.

Residents who use curbside collection through a private hauler won't see a landfill receipt, but many haulers build disposal costs into their rates, so some bills may edge up over time as contracts renew.

The county has not said whether it will revisit the five-year schedule before 2030 if storm costs or operating expenses shift. The next automatic increase is set for Oct. 1, 2027.

Find more details on rates and hours on the Polk County Solid Waste landfill page. For more on the original rate decision, see the county's news release from May 2025.

Stay with Polk County Community Website for more on how local fees and county budget decisions affect your household, and head to our alerts section and government and politics coverage for related stories. Got a reaction to the new rates or a question about what you'll pay? Join the conversation in our Community Forum.