Free Dump Day Program Returns for Cochise County Residents

Sometimes, life gets cluttered. When I look around and realize how much stuff we’ve accumulated at our house just in my garage, I’m awed, impressed, and maybe a little embarrassed. It’s time to get busy and get cleaning, and I’m going to be faced with some hard decisions.

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I’ll donate whatever I think is still useful, but there’s a lot of stuff that’s just been sitting too long, and it’s time to let it go.

Cleaning is a chore, but it’s time to start fresh, and this might be the perfect time to start this task. As Cochise County rolls out its updated solid waste programs, this might be the perfect time to start clearing out the old stuff to make room for something better.

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Updated Solid Waste Fees Begin July 1

According to a Cochise County press release, the Cochise County Board of Supervisors approved a rate increase under resolution 26-10 during their April 21st meeting, which will raise the landfill rate from $64 to $68 per ton in response to cost increases and new Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) fees.

The rate increase will take effect on July 1st. The updated rates apply to rural and urban transfer stations as well as the Western Regional Landfill. The new fees will vary depending on location and the materials being disposed of, but many common residential items will still be accepted at reasonable rates.

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There’s good news for residents handling household chemicals: non-commercial Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) will continue to be accepted at no cost.

If you’re taking a load of waste to the dump, it’s a smart idea to review the new fee schedule, which can be found here. Fees for larger loads, such as tires, mattresses, or bulk items, may vary. The minimum charge at urban transfer stations will still be $5.

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Free Dump Program Application Window

Residents can apply for the Free Dump Program from July 1 through September 30, 2026. To make things more convenient, Solid Waste staff will host signup events across the county to offer in-person help with applications.

Free Dump Program Signup Event Dates

• Sierra Vista Transfer Station: July 11, 2026, 8 a.m.–noon
• Willcox Transfer Station: July 25, 2026, 8 a.m.–noon
• Douglas Transfer Station: August 8, 2026, 8 a.m.–noon
• Benson Transfer Station: August 22, 2026, 8 a.m.–noon
• Bisbee Transfer Station: September 5, 2026, 8 a.m.–noon
• Western Regional Landfill: September 19, 2026, 8 a.m.–noon

If you have questions about the Free Dump Program, call (520) 432-9655. For more details, visit: https://www.cochise.az.gov/756/Solid-Waste-Division