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Renovating your home? Drywall, lumber, concrete, and roofing materials have different disposal rules than regular trash. Here's what to know.
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Palo Alto Solid Waste Transfer is the small county transfer station outside Emmetsburg that locals - homeowners and farmers alike - use when the trip to a distant landfill isn’t worth it. It’s a transfer station where loads get compacted and then hauled off-site, so bring stuff that’s ready to be dropped and gone. Seasonal traffic picks up during planting and harvest times, so plan accordingly.
There’s usually an entrance booth and a scale to stop at, with drivers directed from there to the unloading area and the compactor. The site feels utilitarian: gravel drives, big concrete tipping areas, and heavy equipment working in the background. Lines form on weekends and during spring cleanup, so plan for a short wait if arriving then. Vehicles with loose loads should be prepared for a quick unload and a second pass over the scale if charges are by weight.
Facility Information
Before You Go
- Secure loose material in trucks or trailers so nothing blows out while waiting - tarps and tied loads save time and cleanup.
- Avoid late-morning weekends during spring; weekday mornings or late afternoons tend to move faster when farming traffic is lighter.
- Sort recyclables and regular trash beforehand so unloading is quicker and fewer trips around the site are needed.
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Disposal Guides
Learn how to properly dispose of common items.
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