Asphalt Disposal Near Me — Where to Take It, Costs & Free Options (2026)

By Mohamed Skhiri  ·  April 25, 2026  ·  10 min read
Overhead view of broken asphalt chunks and slabs from a demolished driveway being loaded by an orange excavator into a heavy-duty dump truck at a construction demolition site

Quick Answer: Asphalt Disposal Near Me

The best options for asphalt disposal near you: (1) asphalt recycling facilities — most accept clean millings and broken slabs free or for $10–$30/ton; (2) your paving contractor — removal and haul-away is usually included in their quote; (3) roll-off dumpster rental — $300–$600 for a 10-yard container; (4) municipal transfer station — accepted as C&D debris at $40–$80/ton. Search Earth911.com with "asphalt pavement" and your zip code to find the nearest facility.

Asphalt Disposal Options — Free vs Paid

Split image comparing two asphalt disposal options: left panel shows a clean asphalt recycling facility with labeled RAP stockpile under open sky, right panel shows a green roll-off dumpster filled with broken asphalt debris at a residential demolition site
OptionCostBest ForNotes
Asphalt recycling facility (drop-off)Free – $30/tonClean millings, broken slabsMost economical — asphalt has value as RAP
Paving contractor haul-awayUsually included in removal quoteFull driveway/lot removalContractor takes it to their facility or a recycler
Roll-off dumpster rental$300–$600 per 10-yd containerDIY removal, small-medium projectsMost flexible — you load on your schedule
Junk removal service$200–$500 per loadSmall amounts, no heavy equipmentTeam loads and hauls — convenient but expensive per ton
Municipal transfer station$40–$80/tonMixed C&D debrisNot all accept asphalt — call ahead to confirm
C&D landfill$40–$80/tonLast resortWasteful and costs more than recycling
Give away as millingsFree (you save disposal cost)Asphalt millings in good conditionPost on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or Nextdoor — millings are in demand for driveways and paths
Best move: Before paying for disposal, post your millings or broken asphalt on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace marked "free — you haul." Asphalt millings are widely used for unpaved driveways, parking areas, and horse arenas. In most areas they disappear within 24–48 hours of posting.

How to Find Asphalt Disposal Near You

Asphalt disposal facilities are not always easy to find because they operate under different names — asphalt plants, recycling facilities, C&D recyclers, or transfer stations. Here is how to locate one near you:

  • Earth911.com: Search "asphalt pavement" or "asphalt shingles" with your zip code. The most comprehensive recycling locator in the US.
  • Call local asphalt paving contractors: Most have a relationship with a nearby plant or recycler and can tell you where they take removed asphalt. Some will accept a load from you directly, especially for millings.
  • Search "[your city] asphalt recycling" or "[your city] asphalt plant": Hot mix asphalt plants almost always accept RAP drop-offs — they reuse it in new mixes.
  • Contact your county public works department: Many municipalities have C&D recycling programs or can direct you to a permitted facility.
  • Ask at a concrete recycler: Many concrete recycling yards also accept asphalt pavement — they process it separately or as part of mixed aggregate.

🗺️ Asphalt Disposal Finder — Pick Your State

Select your state to see landfill rules, typical tipping fees, state agency contacts, and a one-click Earth911 recycler search pre-filled for your area.

Pavement in Landfill
Shingles in Landfill
Typical Tipping Fee
Recycling Mandate

Asphalt Disposal Cost Breakdown (2026)

MethodTypical VolumeCost RangeCost Per Ton (Est.)
Recycling facility drop-offAnyFree – $30/ton$0–$30
10-yard roll-off dumpster~3–4 tons asphalt$300–$600$75–$150
20-yard roll-off dumpster~6–8 tons asphalt$450–$800$60–$110
30-yard roll-off dumpster~9–12 tons asphalt$550–$950$50–$90
Contractor haul-away (driveway)1 driveway (~5–15 tons)$0–$400 added to removal quote$0–$50
Junk hauler (small amount)<1 ton$150–$350$150–$350
C&D landfill tipping feeAny$40–$80/ton$40–$80
Hazardous waste (coal tar asphalt)Any$200–$500/ton$200–$500
Weight to volume guide: Compacted asphalt weighs approximately 145 lb/cu ft — roughly 2 tons per cubic yard. A standard 10-yard dumpster holds about 3–4 tons of broken asphalt slabs. Loose millings are lighter (around 100 lb/cu ft) so a 10-yard dumpster holds about 2.5–3 tons.

Can You Put Asphalt in a Dumpster?

Yes — with conditions. Most roll-off dumpster rental companies accept asphalt pavement debris, but the rules vary:

  • Clean asphalt pavement (slabs, millings): Accepted by most companies, sometimes at a C&D rate. Confirm the dumpster company sends it to a recycler, not a landfill, if that matters to you.
  • Asphalt shingles: Many companies restrict or surcharge shingles — they require separate handling and are harder to recycle. Always ask before mixing shingles and pavement in the same container.
  • Asphalt mixed with concrete: Generally accepted but will be charged at mixed C&D rates, which are often higher than clean asphalt rates. If you want to maximize recycling value, keep them separate.
  • Coal tar-sealed asphalt: Some dumpster companies will not accept it. Disclose this upfront — improper disposal of hazardous material creates liability for you.

Asphalt Pavement vs Asphalt Shingles — Different Disposal Rules

Flat lay comparison: left half shows a stack of old torn-off asphalt roof shingles with granule texture, right half shows broken asphalt pavement chunks with aggregate and tar binder visible, on a concrete floor with a clear dividing line
FactorAsphalt Pavement (Driveways, Roads)Asphalt Shingles (Roofing)
Recycling availabilityWidely accepted — nearly all asphalt plants take RAPLess common — requires shingle-specific recycler
Recycling costFree to $30/ton$30–$80/ton at shingle recyclers
Landfill acceptanceAccepted at most C&D landfillsAccepted but some states restrict
Dumpster rulesAccepted by most companiesOften restricted or surcharged
Hazardous contentRisk only if coal tar sealer was appliedPre-1980 shingles may contain asbestos — test before disposal
Typical weight per square~2 tons per 100 sq ft (2-inch slab)~240–350 lbs per roofing square (100 sq ft)
Recycled intoNew HMA mixes as RAP, base aggregatePavement mixes, pothole patching, aggregate base
Pre-1980 asphalt shingles — asbestos risk: Asphalt roofing shingles manufactured before 1980 may contain asbestos fibers. Do not break, grind, or dispose of them in regular C&D dumpsters without testing first. Contact a licensed asbestos abatement contractor for sampling. Illegal disposal of asbestos-containing material carries significant fines.

DIY Haul vs Hiring a Contractor

FactorDIY HaulHire a Contractor
Cost$300–$600 dumpster + your laborIncluded in removal quote or $150–$400 added fee
Equipment neededJackhammer, wheelbarrow, loading laborNone — contractor provides all equipment
Speed1–3 days for a typical drivewayHours — crews have skid steers and trucks
Best forSmall areas (<500 sq ft), tight budgetsFull driveways, lots, or anywhere access is easy
Disposal destinationYour choice — recycler or landfillContractor's usual facility — ask where it goes
Permit required?Usually no for residentialUsually no — contractor handles it

The Coal Tar Hazard — What to Check Before Disposing

Most asphalt pavement is safe to recycle and dispose of as standard C&D debris. The major exception is asphalt that has been sealed with coal tar-based sealcoat. Coal tar contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are classified as probable human carcinogens by the EPA and are regulated as hazardous waste in several states.

Coal tar sealcoated asphalt: If the surface has a very dark, almost black, glassy appearance and was sealed in the past 10–15 years — especially in the Midwest and Southeast where coal tar sealers were commonly sold — it may contain coal tar. Coal tar-sealed pavement is banned from standard recycling in many states. Before hauling to a recycling facility, call ahead and describe the surface. If in doubt, have a sample tested. Improper disposal can result in fines and environmental liability.

Asphalt-based (petroleum-based) sealers are a different product and are safe to recycle normally. If you are unsure which type was applied, a simple test kit can distinguish coal tar from asphalt-based sealers — available at environmental testing suppliers for around $30.

What Happens to Disposed Asphalt

Clean asphalt pavement that goes to a recycling facility is processed into reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) — crushed, screened, and stockpiled for reuse. RAP is one of the most recycled materials in the US by volume. It gets used in:

  • New hot mix asphalt: RAP replaces 10–40% of virgin aggregate and binder in new HMA — reducing material cost and environmental impact
  • Cold mix patch material: RAP-based pothole patch products used for emergency repairs
  • Base and sub-base aggregate: Processed RAP as a granular base layer under new pavement or for gravel driveways
  • Road shoulder and unpaved surface stabilization: Millings spread and compacted as a low-cost driveway or parking surface

For a deeper look at how RAP is processed and where to find recycling facilities, see our full asphalt recycling near me guide.

State Landfill Rules — Can Asphalt Go to a Landfill?

Quick regional summary below — for a full 50-state breakdown with one-click recycler search, use the asphalt disposal finder above.

State / RegionAsphalt Pavement in LandfillAsphalt Shingles in LandfillNotes
CaliforniaRestricted — recycling required for clean C&D asphaltAccepted with surcharge at many facilitiesCalRecycle mandates diversion of C&D materials
TexasAccepted at C&D facilitiesAcceptedNo statewide ban — check local facility rules
FloridaAccepted at C&D facilitiesAcceptedSome counties have recycling incentives
New YorkAccepted — recycling preferredAcceptedNYC has specific C&D debris regulations
Midwest (IL, OH, MI)Accepted at most C&D facilitiesAccepted — coal tar issue common in this regionCoal tar sealers widely used historically — verify before recycling
Pacific Northwest (WA, OR)Accepted — recycling strongly encouragedShingle recycling programs availableSome facilities offer reduced rates for clean asphalt
Always call ahead: Landfill and recycling facility policies change. Before hauling a load, call the facility, tell them what you have (pavement millings, broken slabs, or shingles), approximate quantity, and whether it has been sealcoated. A 2-minute call prevents a rejected load and a wasted trip.

Asphalt Disposal FAQs

Where can I dispose of old asphalt near me?

Best options: asphalt recycling facilities (free–$30/ton), your paving contractor's haul-away (usually included), roll-off dumpster ($300–$600 for 10 yards), or a municipal transfer station ($40–$80/ton). Search Earth911.com with "asphalt pavement" and your zip code to find the nearest facility.

Is asphalt disposal free?

Clean pavement millings and slabs are often free at asphalt recycling facilities because they have value as RAP. Some charge $10–$30/ton. Shingles are almost always charged at $30–$80/ton. Landfill disposal is never free — $40–$80/ton for C&D debris.

Can I put asphalt in a dumpster?

Yes — clean asphalt pavement is accepted by most dumpster companies. Shingles are often restricted or carry a surcharge. Never mix with concrete if you want recycling rates. Disclose coal tar-sealed asphalt before booking — some companies won't accept it.

How much does asphalt disposal cost?

$0–$30/ton at recycling facilities for clean pavement. $300–$600 for a 10-yard dumpster holding 3–4 tons. $40–$80/ton at C&D landfills. Contractor haul-away is typically included in removal quotes or runs $150–$400 for a standard driveway load.

Can asphalt go in a landfill?

Clean asphalt is accepted at most C&D landfills. California restricts it to encourage recycling. Coal tar-sealed asphalt may be classified as hazardous and require special disposal. Always call ahead and confirm acceptance before hauling.

How do I dispose of asphalt shingles?

Shingle-specific recycling facilities (search Earth911.com), C&D landfills at standard rates, or contractor tear-off disposal. Pre-1980 shingles may contain asbestos — have them tested before disposal. Never grind or break suspected asbestos-containing shingles.

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