What Is a Waste Transfer Station?

A waste transfer station is a light industrial facility where municipal solid waste is temporarily staged in the course of its eventual journey to the landfill or waste-to-energy facility. Typical activities at the waste transfer station involved the unloading of garbage trucks, pre-screening, and removal of inappropriate items such as automobile batteries, compacting, and then reloading onto larger vehicles, including trucks, trains, and barges to their final destination.

In urban areas, the location of waste transfer stations can be very controversial. Such facilities are therefore typically fully enclosed. They may be co-located with a material recovery center. 

Benefits of Transfer Stations

The transfer station is a key component of cost-effective solid waste transportation. By transferring waste from local collection vehicles onto larger trailers or other transport modes such as barge and rail, the cost of transportation to distant disposal sites can be significantly reduced, freeing collection-specific vehicles and crews to devote their time to actual collection activities.

Here are some of the main benefits:

Waste Transfer Station Locations

Although waste transfer stations are a vital component of modern waste management programs, the location of such stations can be a flashpoint for local NIMBY sentiment. 

Here are some of the key concerns of citizens and standard management measures:

The Basics of Transfer Station Operations

Here's some insight into the day-to-day operations of a transfer station: