Your Ultimate Guide To The Tinker Creek Transfer Station: 5 Essential Services, New 2025 Rates, And Hours
Planning a major cleanup or construction project? As of December 24, 2025, the Tinker Creek Transfer Station remains the central hub for solid waste management and advanced recycling services for the entire Roanoke Valley. Operated by the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority (RVRA), this facility is not just a dump site; it’s a critical piece of infrastructure serving Roanoke City, Roanoke County, the Town of Vinton, and surrounding areas, ensuring responsible and efficient disposal for residents and commercial haulers alike.
Understanding the facility’s current operating procedures, accepted materials, and the latest fee schedule—including the recently planned 2025 rate updates—is essential for a smooth and cost-effective disposal trip. This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from the minimum charge for residential drop-offs to the specialized Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program.
Tinker Creek Transfer Station: Facility Profile and Key Details
The Tinker Creek Transfer Station is the primary solid waste transfer point managed by the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority (RVRA). Waste dropped off here is consolidated and then transported to the regional landfill, making the operation a crucial link in the area’s waste disposal chain. The facility’s central location and comprehensive services make it indispensable for both large-scale commercial operations and individual residential needs.
- Official Operator: Roanoke Valley Resource Authority (RVRA)
- Physical Address: 1020 Hollins Road NE, Roanoke, VA 24012-8011
- Service Area: Residents and commercial haulers from Roanoke City, Roanoke County, and the Town of Vinton
- Primary Function: Solid waste disposal, commercial waste processing, and permanent public recycling drop-off
- Contact Phone: 540-857-5050
- Key Services: Municipal waste transfer, wood waste acceptance, HHW collection, and public recycling
5 Essential Services and Updated Tipping Fees (Effective July 2025)
The RVRA regularly reviews its fee schedule to cover the costs of processing and transporting waste, with new rates often taking effect at the start of the fiscal year. The latest available rate schedules provide a clear picture of the costs for various waste types, ensuring transparency for both commercial and residential users. Here is a breakdown of the critical services and the most current fee structure, including the planned rates for July 1, 2025.
1. General Residential Solid Waste Disposal
For residents bringing in a small load of household trash, the RVRA maintains a minimum charge to cover the processing costs. This minimum fee is applied to loads that do not meet the per-ton weight threshold.
- Residential Minimum Charge: $15.00
- Mixed Waste (General Trash) Rate: $69.50 per ton
2. Commercial and Municipal Waste Tipping Fees
Commercial haulers and municipal entities disposing of large volumes of general mixed waste operate under a per-ton rate. The planned increase for the upcoming fiscal year reflects rising operational costs.
- Mixed Waste (Commercial/Municipal) Rate: $69.50 per ton
- Municipal Waste Rate (2024): $56.50 per ton
- Planned Municipal Waste Rate (Effective July 1, 2025): $58.00 per ton
3. Specialized Wood Waste Disposal
The transfer station offers a significantly reduced rate for clean loads of wood waste, which is accepted at the Tinker Creek facility only. This encourages proper segregation and potential reuse or processing of lumber and yard debris.
- Untreated Wood Products (Clean Loads): $39.00 per ton
4. Permanent Recycling Drop-Off Center
One of the most valuable services is the permanent, free drop-off recycling center available to residents during all normal operating hours. Using this service helps reduce the amount of material sent to the landfill and saves on tipping fees.
- Accepted Recyclables: Mixed paper, aluminum, and plastics #1 and #2
- Special Note: Clean, bagged shredded paper is also accepted at the drop-off center
- Unacceptable: Any material outside of the accepted list will contaminate the load and should not be placed in the bins
5. Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility
The Tinker Creek location features a permanent HHW facility, a major step forward from previous temporary collection events. This service allows residents to safely dispose of materials that pose a risk to the environment if thrown in the regular trash.
- Procedure: HHW disposal is typically by appointment only to ensure proper handling.
- Accepted Examples: Aerosol paint cans, latex paint (with a maximum limit of 5 gallons per visit), and lead-acid auto batteries.
- Unacceptable Items: Infectious/biohazard waste and explosives are strictly prohibited.
Know Before You Go: Operating Hours and Key Regulations
To ensure a quick and efficient trip, visitors should be aware of the facility’s strict operating hours and general regulations. The Tinker Creek Transfer Station operates on a schedule designed to accommodate both early-morning commercial traffic and weekend residential drop-offs.
Current Operating Hours
The facility’s hours are consistent throughout the year, but it is always wise to check the official RVRA website for holiday closures or weather-related delays.
- Monday – Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Sunday: Closed
Regulations and Disposal Tips
Adhering to the following guidelines will help maintain the efficiency and safety of the transfer station:
- Separate Your Load: If you are dropping off both general trash (mixed waste) and clean wood waste or recyclables, separate them before arrival. This ensures you are charged the correct, lower rate for the specialized materials and helps maintain the integrity of the recycling stream.
- Tarp Your Load: All loads brought to the facility should be properly secured or tarped to prevent littering on public roads, as per local ordinances.
- Follow Staff Directions: The transfer station is a high-traffic industrial environment. Always follow the instructions of the RVRA staff for weighing, dumping, and exiting the facility.
- Understand the Tipping Fee: The minimum charge is applied to the entire vehicle, regardless of the size of the residential load. Bringing in a small bag of trash will still incur the $15 minimum fee, so it is often best to consolidate multiple trips.
The Tinker Creek Transfer Station is a vital resource for the Roanoke Valley, providing the infrastructure necessary for responsible solid waste management. By utilizing the permanent recycling center, following the HHW procedures, and understanding the current tipping fee structure, residents and businesses can ensure their waste disposal practices are both environmentally sound and cost-effective.
Detail Author:
- Name : Mr. Ryleigh Reichert
- Username : amanda.hettinger
- Email : altenwerth.boyd@yahoo.com
- Birthdate : 1999-04-30
- Address : 12936 Elnora Springs East Ollie, ND 53049-1065
- Phone : +1 (520) 761-2435
- Company : Green-Lakin
- Job : Nonfarm Animal Caretaker
- Bio : Provident esse quo consequatur consequatur blanditiis. Optio labore voluptatum tenetur voluptatum nisi eos et et. Deserunt tenetur nobis labore optio distinctio voluptatem.
Socials
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/nhessel
- username : nhessel
- bio : Est pariatur et iure id inventore et. Dignissimos magnam natus dolorem qui.
- followers : 1476
- following : 2029
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@hessel1970
- username : hessel1970
- bio : Amet omnis voluptatum corporis velit eaque.
- followers : 338
- following : 2212
