Lake County Solid Waste

Recycling Center in Polson, Montana

📍 36117 N Reservoir Rd, Polson, MT 59860
♻️
📞 +1 406-883-7323 🌐 Visit Website 🗺 Get Directions

About This Location

Lake County Solid Waste operates the Transfer Station at 36117 N Reservoir Road in Polson, Montana — open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (gate closes at 5:50 p.m.), except federally recognized holidays. The facility houses a large recycling center that accepts cardboard, newspaper, mixed paper, aluminum and steel cans, plastic bottles (#1 PETE and #2 milk jugs with lids removed), scrap metal, used motor oil, antifreeze, lead batteries, and tires. Freon-bearing appliances are accepted with a per-unit removal fee. Green waste such as stumps, brush, compost, and clean concrete is also accepted at the Transfer Station for a fee. Household garbage disposal is funded through the county's annual $180 permit-tag system (included in property taxes for qualifying taxpayers); punch cards are available for those without tags. Lake County Solid Waste also holds an Annual E-Waste Event, generally in May, at the Transfer Station.

What Lake County Solid Waste Accepts

✓ Cardboard (Accepted in the recycling center at the Transfer Station.)
✓ Newspaper (Accepted in the recycling center at the Transfer Station.)
✓ Mixed residential paper (Accepted in the recycling center at the Transfer Station.)
✓ Aluminum and steel cans (Accepted in the recycling center at the Transfer Station.)
✓ Plastic bottles (#1 PETE and #2 milk jugs) (Must be separated by type; remove lids before drop-off.)
✓ Scrap metal (Must be separated and placed in the scrap metal area; appliances that had or have Freon must be separated out.)
✓ Used motor oil (Accepted at the recycling center.)
✓ Antifreeze (Accepted at the recycling center.)
✓ Lead/car batteries (Accepted at the recycling center.)
✓ Tires (Accepted at Transfer Station; must be smaller than 24.5 inches. Fees apply — see fees section.)
✓ Freon appliances (Accepted at all site locations; $10 per unit fee for Freon removal applies.)
✓ Household waste / garbage (Class II decomposable waste including garbage, biodegradable materials, clothing, books, small appliances. Permit tag or punch card required.)
✓ Small amounts of household hazardous waste (Paint, cleansers, pesticides accepted in small amounts. For larger amounts, a Hazardous Waste Form must be completed. No liquids accepted.)
✓ Dead animals (Accepted; fees apply per the facility's fee list.)
✓ Green waste (stumps, brush, compost) (Accepted at the Transfer Station for a fee. Also includes grass clippings, garden waste, leaves, manure, and crop residues (directed to compost pile).)
✓ Clean concrete, rock, brick (unpainted), wood waste (untreated/unglued/unpainted) (Class III inert landfill next to Transfer Station. No plywood, OSB, or particleboard. Fees apply.)
✓ Electronics (e-waste) (Accepted at the Annual E-Waste Event held at the Transfer Station, generally in May. First 300 lbs accepted free of charge during the event.)

Related recycling guides: Electronics · Batteries · Tires · Appliances · Household Hazardous Waste · Yard Waste · Plastic · Cardboard & Paper

What they do not accept

✕ Liquids
✕ Tires larger than 24.5 inches
✕ Plywood, OSB, particleboard
✕ Large amounts of hazardous waste
✕ Out-of-county waste (unauthorized)

Call 406-883-7323 before bringing unusual or large-volume waste loads. Credit cards are not accepted for payment.

Fees

  • Annual permit tag (household garbage) — $180/year — automatically billed to Lake County property taxpayers via their solid waste property tax fee; renters should contact their landlord.
  • Punch card (household garbage) — $32 for 6 punches; $62 for 12 punches. Each punch = one large garbage can of household waste. Available at the office and rural sites.
  • Freon appliance removal — $10 per unit
  • Tires (passenger/light truck, no rims) — $5.00 per tire (per 2022 fee schedule; call to confirm current rate)
  • Tires (passenger/light truck, with rims) — $10.00 per tire (per 2022 fee schedule; call to confirm current rate)
  • Tires (semi truck, no rims) — $15.00 per tire (per 2022 fee schedule; call to confirm current rate)
  • Tires (semi truck, with rims) — $20.00 per tire (per 2022 fee schedule; call to confirm current rate)
  • Green waste / Class III inert materials (concrete, brush, stumps, wood waste) — Fee applies; amount set by mutual agreement or per facility fee list. Call ahead.
  • Special handling / large waste volumes — Fee set by mutual agreement between Lake County and the contractor, waste generator, or waste hauler, made prior to disposal.
  • E-waste (Annual Event) — First 300 lbs free of charge during the Annual E-Waste Event (generally held in May).

Access & restrictions

Public drop-off facility. Household garbage disposal requires a valid annual permit tag (issued to Lake County property taxpayers) or purchase of a punch card. Recycling drop-off access is not explicitly restricted by tag. Facility serves residential properties in the Lake County/Dixon Joint Refuse Management District. · ID or proof of residency required · Walk-in (no appointment) · Permit tags are mailed automatically to Lake County property owners who pay the solid waste fee via property taxes. Renters must contact their landlord for tags. Non-taxpaying users may purchase punch cards ($32/6 punches or $62/12 punches). Credit cards are not accepted. For large or unusual loads, call ahead before disposal. Fees are due upon disposal unless billing arrangements are made in advance.

Programs & events

  • Annual E-Waste Recycling Event — Held at the Transfer Station, generally in May. Promotes responsible disposal of electronics. First 300 lbs accepted free of charge per the KPAX report. The 16th annual event was held May 17, 2025.
  • Permit Tag Program — Annual $180 user permit tags distributed to Lake County property taxpayers (billed via property taxes). 2026 tags are green and were mailed in November–December 2025.
  • Business Credit Accounts — Businesses can apply for a credit account with Lake County Solid Waste. Printable application available on the county website; mail or drop off at the office.
  • Recycling Container Drop-Off Sites — In addition to the Transfer Station, Lake County operates three recycling container drop-off locations in Polson, Pablo, and Ronan.
  • Landfill-to-You / Organization Cleanup Fee Waivers — The department waives fees for local organization cleanups and offers a 'Landfill to You' program to improve access for residents.

Materials, fees and hours can change — call ahead to confirm before your visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Transfer Station open on weekends?

Yes. The Lake County Solid Waste Transfer Station is open seven days a week — Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The gate closes at 5:50 p.m. The only closures are on federally recognized holidays.

Do I need a permit tag to drop off recycling?

The permit-tag requirement applies specifically to household garbage disposal. Recyclable materials (cardboard, paper, cans, plastic bottles, motor oil, etc.) are accepted at the Transfer Station recycling center. However, to drop off household garbage, you need a valid annual permit tag (automatically mailed to Lake County property taxpayers) or a purchased punch card. Call 406-883-7323 if you are unsure of your eligibility.

Does Lake County Solid Waste charge a fee for tires?

Yes. Tires must be smaller than 24.5 inches to be accepted. As of the 2022 fee schedule, fees range from $5 (passenger/light truck, no rims) to $20 (semi truck, with rims). Call ahead to confirm the current rate, as fees may have been updated since 2022.

Can I drop off old electronics (e-waste) at the Transfer Station?

Electronics are accepted through the Annual E-Waste Recycling Event held at the Transfer Station, generally each May. The first 300 lbs are accepted free of charge during the event. Year-round e-waste drop-off is not confirmed on the official website; call 406-883-7323 for the most current information.

Are green waste and construction debris accepted?

Green waste such as stumps, brush, compost, grass clippings, leaves, and clean concrete is accepted at the Transfer Station for a fee. Inert materials (untreated/unglued/unpainted wood, concrete without exposed rebar, rock, unpainted brick) go to the Class III inert landfill adjacent to the Transfer Station. Plywood, OSB, and particleboard are not accepted. Large or unusual loads require calling ahead to arrange fees.

Last verified: November 2026. Sources: source · source · source · source. Spotted something wrong? Suggest a correction.

Other Recycling Centers in Polson

Recycling Centers Near Polson

Contact & Location

📍
Address
36117 N Reservoir Rd, Polson, MT 59860
📞
🌐
Website
lakemt.gov
🏙
City / State
Polson, Montana

Opening Hours

Monday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Location Map

📍 Open in Google Maps
← All centers in Polson