Landfills & Dumps in Oklahoma

Oklahoma's solid waste management is regulated by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) Land Protection Division under Title 27A of the Oklahoma Statutes, with administrative rules in the Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC). The Solid Permitting Section reviews applications and issues permits for landfills, transfer stations, processing facilities, composting facilities, and regulated medical waste management facilities. The Solid Waste Compliance Section conducts inspections, investigates complaints, and provides guidance for general solid waste disposal.

Municipal solid waste and non-hazardous industrial waste landfills must be specifically authorized by permit to accept certain waste types. Operational requirements under OAC 252:515-19-51 mandate at least six inches of compacted earthen material as daily cover for freshly placed MSW. Asbestos and materials containing asbestos must comply with regulations at OAC 252:100-40-5. Before rules are adopted, ODEQ follows an extensive public review process with proposed rules published in the Oklahoma Register.

Disposal fees in Oklahoma typically run $25 to $40 per ton at landfills, with residential self-haul costs ranging from $15 to $35 per pickup load. Some communities offer free disposal for residents, and fees vary by location and waste type. Rural areas often have collection sites or convenience centers where residents can drop off waste, with some communities sharing facilities with neighboring towns.

In July 2025, EPA approved Oklahoma's state plan for controlling air emissions from existing municipal solid waste landfills under the Clean Air Act section 111(d). The Oklahoma MSW landfills plan, submitted by ODEQ's Air Quality Division, was originally adopted February 18, 2022, effective September 15, 2022, with the EPA approval rule effective August 6, 2025. This approval allows Oklahoma to implement and enforce MSW landfill emission requirements.

ODEQ runs tire cleanup programs to address illegal dumps across the state, and most landfills accept tires for a fee. Some counties hold free tire collection events, and tire retailers must accept old tires when customers purchase new ones. Open burning is allowed in some rural areas with restrictions, but burn bans are common during dry conditions. Before visiting any facility, contact ODEQ or the facility directly to confirm accepted materials, fees, and operating hours.