Landfills & Dumps in North Dakota

North Dakota's solid waste management is regulated by the Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Waste Management under North Dakota Century Code Title 23.1 Environmental Quality. The Division enforces state and federal environmental laws governing where and how materials are stored and disposed. North Dakota's solid waste system is organized into eight management districts established by the 1991 legislative session to ensure effective and economical management statewide.

The regulatory framework includes NDAC Title 33.1 Solid Waste Management Rules, which cover municipal, industrial, and special waste disposal. Industrial waste may be codisposed with municipal waste in amounts up to 10 percent monthly by weight, not exceeding 20,000 tons per year or 3,000 tons in any one month. Landfills cannot be located in unsuitable areas including within aquifers, wellhead protection areas, hundred-year flood plains, or where geologic features may cause structural failure.

Disposal fees in North Dakota range from $20 to $35 per ton, with residential self-haul typically costing $10 to $25 per pickup load. Fargo and Bismarck area facilities may have higher rates. Some communities include disposal costs in utility fees. Rural communities often operate transfer stations or share facilities with neighboring towns, with waste transported to regional landfills.

Oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) wastes are regulated separately as special waste under North Dakota law. These materials require disposal at specially permitted facilities and cannot go to municipal landfills. In May 2025, EPA proposed approval of North Dakota's application to manage its own coal combustion residuals (CCR) program, allowing the state to regulate coal ash disposal under NDAC Chapter 33.1-20-08 if standards meet or exceed federal requirements. The state has identified 15 CCR disposal units at seven facilities.

Appliances containing refrigerants, lead-acid batteries, and other hazardous materials are banned from landfills. Pesticide containers must be triple-rinsed before disposal, and concentrated chemicals require hazardous waste handling. The NDDEQ has authority to issue compliance orders and seek penalties for violations. Before visiting any facility, contact the Division of Waste Management or the facility directly to confirm accepted materials, fees, and operating hours.