Waste Disposal Options in the Omaha Metro Area
Whether you are tackling a home renovation, cleaning out a garage, or managing construction debris, knowing where to dump trash in Omaha is essential. The metro area offers several landfills, transfer stations, and recycling facilities, but each comes with its own rules, hours, and limitations. In this guide, we break down every major disposal option available to Omaha-area residents and explain why renting a dumpster is often the simplest solution for larger projects.
Pheasant Point Landfill (Douglas County)
The Pheasant Point Landfill is the primary municipal landfill serving Douglas County and the greater Omaha area. Operated by Waste Management of Nebraska, it sits about 12 miles northwest of downtown Omaha near Bennington.
- Address: 13505 N. 216th St., Bennington, NE 68007
- Phone: (402) 238-3440
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Saturday, 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM; closed Sunday
- Payment: Credit cards, debit cards, or credit account
What Pheasant Point Accepts
The landfill accepts municipal solid waste, construction and demolition debris, yard waste, contaminated soils (non-hazardous), and sandblast media. It does not accept hazardous waste.
Banned Items at Nebraska Landfills
Under Nebraska state law (Neb. Rev. Stat. 13-2039), the following items are banned from Pheasant Point and all regulated landfills in the state:
- Waste oil
- Liquid paint (dried paint is accepted)
- Lead-acid batteries
- Household appliances
- Waste tires (in any form)
- Unregulated hazardous waste
All loads must be covered and secured during transport. An uncovered-load fee may be assessed if your load is not properly secured.
Sarpy County Transfer Station
Residents in Bellevue, Papillion, La Vista, Gretna, and Springfield often find the Sarpy County Transfer Station more convenient than driving to Pheasant Point.
- Address: 14414 S. 156th St., Springfield, NE 68059
- Phone: (402) 253-2371 (Waste Connections Scale Office)
- Summer hours (April 2 through Nov. 30): 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Saturday; closed Sunday
- Winter hours (Dec. 1 through April 1): 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday; 6:00 AM to noon Saturday; closed Sunday
Hi-vis clothing is required inside the work zone and is available for purchase at the gate for $5. Keep children inside your vehicle, stay within three feet of your vehicle, and no cell phone use is permitted in the unloading area.
River City Recycling and Transfer Station
The City of Omaha contracts with River City Transfer to accept bulky waste at subsidized rates for Omaha residents. This is a great option for furniture, mattresses, lumber, drywall, and similar items that do not fit in your curbside cart.
- Address: 6404 S. 60th St., Omaha, NE (just north of Harrison Street)
- Phone: (402) 889-8721
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM; Saturday hours vary by season
Omaha residents can participate in the City’s cost-share program, which covers a portion of the dumping fee. You will need two forms of proof of Omaha residency (such as a driver’s license and a utility bill). The program allows up to four subsidized loads per calendar year and charges a one-time $15 administrative fee at your first visit.
Recycling Options in Omaha
Omaha offers both curbside recycling collection and several drop-off locations throughout the city. Full-service drop-off sites accept paper, cardboard, plastics, metals, and glass. Glass-only sites collect bottles and jars in purple containers.
Key drop-off locations include:
- Elkhorn: 20801 Elkhorn Dr. (daily, 7 AM to 7 PM)
- Northwest: 3615 N. 120th St. at Mulhall’s (daily, 7 AM to 7 PM)
- Southeast: River City Transfer, 6404 S. 60th St.
- Southwest: Firstar Fiber, 10330 I St. (daily, 7 AM to 7 PM)
- Central: 333 S. 72nd St. (daily, 7 AM to 7 PM)
For yard waste, the Oma-Gro composting facility at 6606 S. 60th St. (60th and Harrison) accepts self-hauled residential yard waste at no charge during its operating season.
Household Hazardous Waste: Under The Sink
Paint, chemicals, pesticides, car fluids, rechargeable batteries, and sharps cannot go to the landfill. The Under The Sink facility handles these materials for Douglas and Sarpy County residents at no cost (latex paint incurs a small fee of $1 per quart container).
- Address: 4001 S. 120th St., Omaha, NE 68137
- Phone: (402) 444-7465 (402-444-SINK)
- Drop-off: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday without an appointment; Saturday by appointment only
Landfill Self-Haul vs. Dumpster Rental: Which Is Better?
Hauling waste to the landfill yourself can seem like the cheaper option at first glance. But the true cost of a self-haul trip adds up quickly once you account for loading time, drive time (Pheasant Point is a 25- to 40-minute drive from most Omaha neighborhoods), fuel, vehicle wear, tipping fees at the gate, and the fact that most projects require three to five separate trips. For a weekend renovation, that can easily eat up an entire day just on dump runs.
A dumpster rental, by contrast, puts a container in your driveway so you can toss debris in as you work. When you are done, the rental company picks it up and handles disposal for you. Here is how the two options compare side by side:
| Factor | Landfill Self-Haul | Dumpster Rental |
|---|---|---|
| Loading | You load your truck or trailer | Toss debris in as you work |
| Transport | Drive 20 to 40+ minutes each way | Dumpster sits on your property |
| Number of trips | Often 3 to 5+ for large projects | One delivery, one pickup |
| Hours | Limited to landfill operating hours | Fill at your own pace, 24/7 |
| Vehicle requirements | Truck or trailer with covered load | None, delivered to your driveway |
| Disposal fees | Per-ton tipping fees at the gate | Included tonnage in your rental |
| Convenience | Low | High |
For most residential projects, from estate cleanouts to demolition work, a dumpster rental eliminates the hassle of repeated landfill trips. You fill it on your schedule, and the rental company handles hauling and disposal.
When a Dumpster Rental Is the Smarter Choice
A dumpster makes the most sense when your project generates more waste than a single truck load can handle. Common situations include:
- Home renovations and remodels: Drywall, flooring, cabinets, and fixtures add up fast. A 20- or 30-yard dumpster handles the job in one rental.
- Roofing tear-offs: Shingles are heavy. A roofing dumpster rental includes the tonnage you need without surprise fees.
- Construction sites: Contractors need reliable waste removal on-site. Our Elite dumpster combines a roll-off container with two attached portable toilets, keeping your site clean and code-compliant in one rental.
- Garage and basement cleanouts: A 10-yard dumpster handles roughly three pickup-truck loads of junk.
- Yard waste and landscaping: Large tree removal or spring cleanup projects generate more debris than the city’s seasonal curbside pickup can handle.
redbox+ Dumpsters of Omaha offers standard dumpsters in 10, 20, 30, and 40-yard sizes with fast delivery across the Omaha metro area, including Bellevue, Gretna, Papillion, Elkhorn, and Council Bluffs. Not sure what you need? Visit our FAQ page or read our guide on what you can put in a dumpster for answers about rental periods, weight limits, and accepted materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Omaha landfill located?
The primary landfill serving Omaha is the Pheasant Point Landfill at 13505 N. 216th St. in Bennington, NE. It is operated by Waste Management and open Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
What items are banned from Omaha-area landfills?
Nebraska law bans waste oil, liquid paint, lead-acid batteries, household appliances, waste tires, and unregulated hazardous waste from all regulated landfills. These items can be taken to the Under The Sink facility at 4001 S. 120th St. in Omaha.
How much does it cost to dump at the Pheasant Point Landfill?
Tipping fees at Pheasant Point vary by material type and weight. Contact Waste Management at (402) 238-3440 or Douglas County Environmental Services at (402) 278-6366 for current rates.
Is renting a dumpster cheaper than hauling to the landfill?
For projects that generate more than one or two truck loads of waste, a dumpster rental is usually more cost-effective when you account for fuel, vehicle wear, multiple tipping fees, and the value of your time. Learn how to save on dumpster rentals.
Where can I take hazardous waste in Omaha?
The Under The Sink facility at 4001 S. 120th St. in Omaha accepts household hazardous waste from Douglas and Sarpy County residents. Drop-offs are available Wednesday through Friday without an appointment. Call (402) 444-7465 for details.
What size dumpster do I need for a home cleanout?
A 10-yard dumpster handles about three pickup-truck loads and works well for small cleanouts. For larger projects like full-home cleanouts or renovations, a 20- or 30-yard dumpster is typically the best fit. Call us at 402-251-2211 for a quick recommendation.
Ready to skip the landfill lines? Contact redbox+ Dumpsters of Omaha or call 402-251-2211 for fast dumpster delivery to your home or job site.