New York
Transfer station
Ithaca transfer station
Hours, sticker price, who can use it, item fees, hazardous waste options, and holiday notes for Tompkins County Recycling and Solid Waste Center (RSWC).
Last verified from official sources: 2026-11-06
Who can use it
Tompkins County residents and businesses with a valid Tompkins County Solid Waste Permit sticker on the driver-side window. Permits are for county residents/businesses only. Bring vehicle license plate number and valid ID with a Tompkins County address (or vehicle registration plus other residency proof if the ID/registration is out of county).
Hours
- Recycling and Solid Waste Center: Monday to Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- TCRMM office: Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sticker or permit
Required: Yes
Price: 2026 residential permit $30 for the first vehicle; second vehicle permit no charge in the same year. Commercial/business/organization permit $50 first vehicle, $30 additional if purchased same year. Stickers valid 1 year.
Where to buy: TCRMM office in person, by mail with Permit Application PDF, or online when the shop is available (online store was marked temporarily unavailable on the checked Permits and Fees page). Payment by cash, check to Tompkins County, or accepted credit cards (commercial credit accounts also noted).
Notes: Permit required to buy punch cards/coupons or pay by weight for trash, and for fee materials such as tires and Freon units. Permit not required for free single-stream recycling and food scraps. Replacement sticker for a vehicle change is free while the permit is valid. One-day pass for borrowed/rented vehicles is free for current permit holders.
Per-item fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Disposal punch card (trash) | $15 for 5 punches; each punch covers one 35 lb garbage bag/can. |
| Disposal coupon (sedan, SUV, or minivan load contained within the vehicle) | $15 per load. Pickup trucks, commercial vans, and larger vehicles may not use the coupon. |
| Scale (trucks / altered loads / other / hauler) | $110 per ton with a $20 minimum |
| Car and light truck tires (Category 1b; rims OK; 20 inch rim max) | $5 per tire for 1-10 tires; $350 per ton for 11-25 tires |
| Bicycle / small lawn / handcart tires (Category 1a; no plastic tires) | No charge for 1-10 tires; $350 per ton above that |
| Refrigerant units | $20 per unit |
| Yard waste punch card / coupon | $12 for 6 punches (bags or cans); $8 per residential car/pickup/SUV coupon load; commercial yard waste $90/ton ($15 minimum) |
Common disposals
Pulled from the same official sources as the fee table. Confirm with the town if anything conflicts.
- Mattress / box spring: Bulky items such as mattresses and couches are directed to scale weight ($110/ton, $20 minimum) rather than the sedan coupon. Confirm with scale staff.
- TVs / electronics: Confirm current e-waste drop-off rules with TCRMM; New York State Covered Electronic Equipment rules still apply for banned landfill disposal.
- Tires: Car/light truck tires $5 each for small counts; larger counts and oversized agricultural/trailer tires are billed by ton at posted Category rates.
- Yard waste / brush: Residential punch cards ($12/6 punches) or $8 vehicle coupons; commercial loads weighed.
- Household hazardous waste: Permit holders may register for County HHW events. Confirm schedule before loading chemicals.
Hazardous waste
A valid solid waste permit is required to sign up for Household Hazardous Waste events. Confirm current HHW event rules with TCRMM. Do not assume everyday RSWC acceptance of chemicals.
Holiday closures
Confirm holiday closures with TCRMM or the facility operator before holiday travel. Operator holiday lists may differ from County office closures.
Holiday schedule last verified 2026-11-06 from official sources .
Other notes
- Facility serves Tompkins County, not only City of Ithaca residents. City of Ithaca and other county towns use the same RSWC with a county permit.
- Punch cards and coupons are also sold at Ithaca Wegmans customer service when available.
- Prices are subject to change without notice per the County Permits and Fees page. Uncovered load penalties start at $10.
Nearby New York towns
Sources
Every fee and hour above was taken from these official pages or PDFs on 2026-11-06. If something conflicts, trust the town.