Landfills & Dumps in Mississippi

Mississippi's waste management system is regulated by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Waste Division, which oversees landfills, transfer stations, and collection centers across the state's 82 counties. Under Mississippi Code Title 17, Chapter 17, local governing bodies are responsible for providing garbage and rubbish collection and disposal services, regulating sanitary landfills, and enforcing solid waste rules. MDEQ maintains certification programs for commercial solid waste landfill operators and training for rubbish site operators, local enforcement officers, and waste tire program participants.

Mississippi operates a network of regional landfills serving multiple counties alongside community collection centers in rural areas. Landfill fees typically range from $25 to $40 per ton depending on location, while staffed collection centers often charge flat rates of $5 to $15 per load for residents. Some counties offer free disposal days periodically, and commercial rates run higher than residential. Contact your county solid waste department for current pricing and hours at facilities in your area.

Rural communities across the Delta, hill country, and piney woods regions often rely on staffed collection centers where residents bring household waste during designated operating hours, typically several days per week. Waste collected at these sites is then transported to regional landfills for final disposal. This hub-and-spoke system allows even remote areas to access proper waste disposal without the cost of operating individual landfills.

Gulf Coast counties including Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson maintain hurricane debris management plans that activate after major storms. When hurricanes strike, temporary debris sites open to accept storm damage separately from regular waste, with vegetative debris, construction materials, and damaged household goods typically segregated for different processing methods. These capabilities proved essential during recovery from Hurricanes Katrina and subsequent storms.

Beginning January 22, 2025, treatment, storage, and disposal facilities are no longer required to send final manifest copies to generators, instead uploading them to the federal e-Manifest system where generators can access them through RCRAInfo. Tires are accepted at most landfills and collection centers for $2 to $4 each, while appliances with refrigerants carry fees of $10 to $20 for proper handling. Before visiting any facility, contact MDEQ or the facility directly to confirm accepted materials and current fees.