Polk County contracts Republic Services to run its landfill on West FM 942 at Leggett together with five citizen collection stations, and the county publishes its rates openly - which makes one thing plain that a lot of residents have not noticed. The resident per-pound rate and the commercial gate rate are now the same number. Household trash is $0.029 a pound, which the county itself notes equals $58 per ton, and the full Landfill Gate Rate for haulers, contractors and landlords is also $58.00 per ton. If you remember a resident discount here, it has closed.

The per-pound rate still matters for what it covers: household waste generated at your own home, including large items such as furniture. It explicitly does not cover construction or demolition debris, waste from rental properties, or anything that looks like it came off a job. Bring a utility bill. Mattresses and box springs are $26.46 each; tyres off the rim are $5.62 each, four a day maximum.

For a small load the collection stations are far cheaper and most people should use them: 50 cents a bag up to 13 gallons, $2 a bag above that, and $24 for a large or bulky item. They will not take mattresses or box springs, and trailer loads must go to the landfill instead. Bring cash - the stations do not take cards, though the landfill does.

Check the day before you drive. The five stations open 7am to 5pm but each on a different set of days: Walding Road is shut Wednesdays, Onalaska Loop shuts Thursdays, Hwy 146 South is Tuesday to Saturday, Richardson Road runs Friday to Monday, and Union Springs Road opens only Wednesdays and Saturdays. The landfill itself runs Monday to Friday 7am to 4pm and Saturday 7am to 11am, with the last load taken 30 minutes before closing and no dump trailers on Saturdays - hand unloading only. Rates are set by contract between the county and Republic, and the county states plainly that attendants cannot discount or negotiate them.