Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Missouri Statewide Rule

Missouri Statewide Landfill Ban on Specific Bulk Items

Heavy RestrictionsApplies statewide across Missouri (2026)

Key Facts

Statute
RSMo 260.250
Banned
Appliances, tires, yard waste
Battery ban
Lead-acid batteries
Tire fee
$0.50 per new tire
Yard waste
Must be composted
Last verified: August 20, 2026Source: Missouri Revisor of Statutes

Summary

Missouri bans certain bulk items from sanitary landfills statewide, including major appliances, whole waste tires, lead-acid batteries, and yard waste. These items must be processed, recycled, or composted regardless of city pickup programs, under RSMo 260.250.

260.250. Major appliances, waste oil, yard waste and batteries, disposal restricted — recycling of certain items, addressed in solid waste management plan. — 1. After January 1, 1991, major appliances, waste oil and lead-acid batteries shall not be disposed of in a solid waste disposal area. After January 1, 1992, yard waste shall not be disposed of in a solid waste disposal area, except as otherwise provided in this subsection. After August 28, 2007, yard waste may be disposed of in a municipal solid waste disposal area or portion of a municipal solid waste disposal area provided that: (1) The department has approved the municipal solid waste disposal area or portion of a solid waste disposal area to operate as a bioreactor under 40 CFR Part 258.4; and (2) The landfill gas produced by the bioreactor shall be used for the generation of electricity. 2. After January 1, 1991, waste oil shall not be incinerated without energy recovery. 3. Each solid waste management district shall address the recycling, reuse and handling of aluminum containers, glass containers, newspapers, textiles, whole tires, plastic beverage containers and steel containers in its solid waste management plan consistent with sections 260.250 to 260.345 . ­­-------- (L. 1990 S.B. 530, A.L. 2007 S.B. 54, A.L. 2015 H.B. 92 merged with S.B.

Source: Missouri Revisor of StatutesView official code

Full Breakdown

RSMo 260.250 prohibits disposal of major appliances (white goods), waste oil, lead-acid batteries, whole waste tires, and yard waste in Missouri sanitary landfills. Yard waste includes leaves, grass, and brush from residential and commercial sources. Generators and haulers must divert these items to permitted recycling, composting, or processing facilities. The ban applies uniformly statewide and supersedes any local program that would attempt to direct these materials to landfills. Tire dealers must collect a 50-cent fee per new tire to fund cleanup of waste tire sites under RSMo 260.273.

Violations & Penalties

Class A misdemeanor for knowing violation; subsequent offenses class E felony. Civil penalties up to $1,000 per day under RSMo 260.249.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can yard waste be put in a Missouri landfill?
No. RSMo 260.250 bans yard waste from all permitted sanitary landfills statewide. It must be composted, mulched, or processed at an approved site.
Where do I dispose of old appliances and tires in Missouri?
Major appliances and waste tires must go to permitted recycling or processing facilities. Many retailers and county collection events accept these items.

Sources

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.