A dump run in Pensacola is straightforward if you plan three things: where you are going, how the load is tied down, and what the scale will charge. Get any of them wrong and the trip costs more than you expected, in fees, a ticket or a lost Saturday. Here is the full trip, start to finish.
Where to take it
Perdido Landfill (Escambia County) is in Cantonment and run by Escambia County Waste Services. As posted in October 2026, it opens at 7 a.m. Monday to Friday and closes at 5 p.m., closes at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, and is closed Sunday. If your load needs to be unloaded by hand, the county asks you to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing: by 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and 3 p.m. on Saturday. Our Perdido Landfill guide covers the facility in more detail.
Central Landfill (Santa Rosa County) is at 6337 Da Lisa Road in Milton. As posted in October 2026 it is open Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last arrival at 4:30 p.m., and it closes on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. See our Santa Rosa County landfill guide.
Hours change, so check the county page the morning you go.
What it costs at the scale
Both landfills charge by weight, with a minimum per visit. These are the posted public rates, and they change, so confirm before you go.
| Fee | Perdido Landfill | Central Landfill |
|---|---|---|
| Household or solid waste | $45.06 per ton | $50 per ton |
| Yard waste | $27.62 per ton | $25 per ton |
| Minimum charge | $11.64 | $10 |
| Car and light truck tires | $3.90 each, max 5 per household | $5 each, up to 10 |
| Uncovered load | $7.02 per individual citizen's load | Not listed on the rates page |
Two details catch people:
- Mixed loads. Santa Rosa charges mixed loads the household rate, so a trailer with yard waste and a couch on it pays the higher price. Sort if you can.
- Mattresses. Escambia's schedule limits mattresses to 4 per household.
Escambia's schedule also lists a $2.50 high visibility vest that is required on the landfill working face, so bring your own if you have one.
Securing the load: what Florida law says
Florida Statutes section 316.520 says a vehicle may not be driven on a highway unless it is loaded so nothing can drop, shift, leak, blow or otherwise escape. Owners and drivers hauling trash, garbage or any object that could fall or blow out must prevent it. A close fitting tarp or other appropriate cover, or a load securing device that meets the federal standard, counts as compliance.
A violation is normally a noncriminal traffic infraction, punished as a nonmoving violation. If a willful violation causes serious bodily injury or death, it becomes a second degree misdemeanor. Escambia's uncovered load fee at the landfill cites this same statute.
Practical tips:
- Put heavy items in first, against the cab or front of the trailer.
- Fill gaps with soft items so nothing slides.
- Strap large pieces individually, then tarp over everything.
- Bag loose trash so it can't blow out from under the tarp.
- Check the straps after the first mile.
The real cost of doing it yourself
The scale fee is the smallest part for most people. Add truck or trailer rental if you don't own one, straps and a tarp, fuel, and the time: loading, driving to Cantonment or Milton, waiting at the scale and unloading by hand. A couch, a mattress and a few boxes can easily take a whole morning, plus help from a friend with a strong back.
A dump run makes sense when you have a truck, a big pile, a free day and nothing heavy on the second floor. It makes less sense for one or two bulky items, anything that needs to come down stairs, or a week when you can't spare the time. Our post on junk removal cost in Pensacola breaks down how a hauler's price compares.
Skip the trip
Pelican Haul-Off hauls furniture, mattresses, garage clutter and single items with a pickup truck and trailer, though not concrete, roofing or dirt. Text photos of what you want gone to (850) 273-8546 with your ZIP code and whether there are stairs. We text back a price and the soonest pickup time, and the price is confirmed before anything is loaded. Same day pickup happens when available, and your first pickup is $20 off when you mention the website. More on our junk hauling service.