The Custer Road Transfer Station in Plano is one of the disposal points the North Texas Municipal Water District operates for its five member cities, and the arrangement is unusually good if you live in one of them.

Residents of Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Plano and Richardson may drop off household waste at no charge twice each month. Two documents are required together: a city utility bill that shows solid waste services being paid for, and a driver's licence whose address matches it.

Mixed loads need care. Limited quantities of construction and demolition material — fence panels, soil, brick and concrete — ride along free provided they account for a tenth of the load or less. Cross that threshold and the entire load can be refused, or charged at the posted gate rate rather than just the offending portion.

Beyond the free allowance the district charges seventy-five dollars per tonne with a one-tonne minimum, plus sales tax. Roofing shingles trigger an additional one hundred and fifty dollar surcharge on any load containing them, also plus tax, which reshapes the economics of a re-roofing job considerably.

Payment is the detail most likely to strand somebody. The district takes credit and debit cards only. Cash is not accepted at all, and the sole alternative is a commercial solid waste account that carries a five hundred dollar minimum monthly charge.

Loads must be secured for the journey. Bring the card, the bill and the licence, and keep shingles in a separate trip.