La Mesa Dump (EDCO Station) 2026: Hours, Fees & Complete Guide
Complete guide to EDCO Station La Mesa - hours, fees, recycling buyback, and why junk removal often costs less than DIY
La Mesa Dump Quick Info
Official Name: EDCO Station – La Mesa
Address: 8184 Commercial St., La Mesa, CA 91942
Phone: (619) 287-7555
Hours: Mon-Fri 5AM-2:30PM, Sat 7AM-4:30PM, Sun 8AM-4:30PM
Key Fee: $80 under 800 lbs, $115/ton over
Special Feature: Recycling Buyback Center (get paid for CRV items!)
EDCO Station La Mesa (commonly called "La Mesa dump" or "La Mesa landfill") is open 7 days including weekends, with unique early weekday hours starting at 5 AM but closing at 2:30 PM. Fees are $80 for most loads under 800 lbs, with a unique Recycling Buyback Center where you can GET PAID for CRV items. However, when you factor in truck rental ($75-$150), gas ($10-$15), and especially your time (2-3 hours), professional junk removal starting at $69 often costs about the same with zero work from you.
La Mesa Dump Hours (2026)
Public Disposal Site Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday - Friday | 5:00 AM to 2:30 PM |
| Saturday | 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
⚠️ Important: La Mesa dump opens at 5 AM on weekdays - great for early birds! But it closes at 2:30 PM on weekdays - much earlier than most dumps. Plan accordingly! Professional junk removal operates all day with no early closure risk.
Holiday Closures: EDCO Station La Mesa is CLOSED on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Open all other days.
Warning: Subject to early closure on high-volume days. Call ahead if making a long trip: (619) 287-7555
Recycling Buyback Center Hours (Different Hours!)
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday - Friday | 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM (Noon) |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
Buyback Center Closed: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas
La Mesa Dump Fees (2026)
| Material Type | Under 800 lbs | Over 800 lbs |
|---|---|---|
| Trash | $80 flat fee | $115 per ton |
| Green waste | $80 flat fee | $115 per ton |
| Organics | $80 flat fee | $115 per ton |
| Clean green | $80 flat fee | $115 per ton |
| Certified waste | $80 flat fee | $115 per ton |
💰 Good News: At $80 minimum, La Mesa's dump fee is LOWER than Escondido's $95! However, professional junk removal starts at $69 - potentially even cheaper when you skip the truck rental.
Payment Methods: Visa, MasterCard, Cash, Check
Public Scale Available: For Weighmaster Certificates
La Mesa Recycle Center & Buyback
This is a unique feature of EDCO Station La Mesa - the Recycling Buyback Center where you can GET PAID for recyclables! This sets La Mesa apart from many other San Diego County transfer stations.
Items Accepted for Cash Payment (CRV)
- CRV glass bottles and jars
- CRV aluminum cans
- CRV plastic bottles (check for CRV marking)
Donation Items Accepted
- Paper and cardboard
- Non-CRV containers (donation value only)
💡 Pro Tip: Bring your recyclables separately from your trash disposal! You might offset some of your $80 disposal fee with CRV buyback cash. Best on Saturday when both facilities have longer hours.
Buyback Center Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 AM to Noon, Saturday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, CLOSED Sunday
Free Drop-Off Services at EDCO La Mesa
✓ E-waste drop-off
Open to public - electronics, computers, TVs, etc.
✓ Used motor oil drop-off
Certified drop-off location
✓ Fat, Oil, Grease (FOG) drop-off
Available for proper disposal
⚠️ Household battery drop-off
EDCO customers only
⚠️ Sharps drop-off
EDCO customers only
Not an EDCO customer? Professional junk removal services like Severin Hauling can handle batteries and sharps through proper disposal channels - no EDCO customer status required. Call (619) 750-0114.
What You Can Bring to La Mesa Dump
✓ Accepted Materials
- • Household trash
- • Green waste
- • Organics
- • Clean green
- • Construction debris (certified waste)
- • Recyclables (CRV - get paid!)
- • E-waste
- • Used motor oil
✗ Restrictions
- • Batteries (EDCO customers only)
- • Sharps (EDCO customers only)
- • Hazardous materials not listed
- • Check with facility for specific items
Severin Hauling can handle most items through proper disposal channels, including items restricted to EDCO customers.
Directions to La Mesa Dump
From I-8 Eastbound:
- Take the SPRING ST. exit towards DOWNTOWN
- Keep LEFT at the first fork in the ramp
- Keep LEFT at the second fork in the ramp
- Keep RIGHT at the third fork in the ramp
- Turn RIGHT onto CENTER ST.
- Turn LEFT onto COMMERCIAL ST.
- EDCO Station is on your left
From I-8 Westbound:
- Take the EL CAJON BLVD. exit
- Keep RIGHT at the fork in the ramp
- Turn RIGHT onto CENTER ST.
- Turn LEFT onto COMMERCIAL ST.
- EDCO Station is on your left
Location Tip: EDCO Station is in La Mesa's industrial loop, a short distance west of Dixieline. Enter next to Up & Down Garage Doors. Look for the sign!
Is a DIY Dump Run Worth It? The Real Cost
Most people assume taking junk to the La Mesa dump saves money. Let's break down the actual costs for a typical garage cleanout:
Half-Garage Cleanout: DIY vs Professional
| Cost Factor | DIY La Mesa Dump | Professional Removal |
|---|---|---|
| Truck rental (Home Depot/U-Haul) | $75-$150 | $0 |
| Gas (round trip) | $10-$15 | $0 |
| EDCO La Mesa fees (~500 lbs) | $80 | $0 |
| Tarp purchase (if needed) | $20 | $0 |
| Your time (loading, driving, waiting) | 2-3 hours | 0 hours |
| Physical labor / injury risk | YOU do it all | None |
| TOTAL COST | $185-$265 + time | $149-$349 all-in |
💡 The Bottom Line
For most loads, professional junk removal costs THE SAME or LESS than doing it yourself—and requires zero work, zero time, and zero risk from you.
Plus, we're available 7 days per week (including Sunday when you can use the La Mesa dump!), we don't close early at 2:30 PM on weekdays, and you never need a tarp.
Considering Dumpster Rental in La Mesa? Read This First
If you're searching for dumpster rental La Mesa or dumpster rental La Mesa CA, you should know the full cost before making a decision.
What Dumpster Rental Actually Costs:
- Rental fee: $300-$600+ for 3-7 days
- PLUS dump fees: $80-$200+ when it's hauled to La Mesa dump
- PLUS all the loading: 8-12 hours of YOUR labor loading the dumpster
- PLUS driveway blocked: Dumpster sits in your way for 3-7 days
- PLUS overage fees: If you exceed weight limit (common!)
A Better Alternative: Professional Junk Removal
- ✓ All-inclusive pricing: $100-$495 total (no hidden fees)
- ✓ We do ALL the lifting: Zero work from you
- ✓ Done in 1-2 hours: No dumpster blocking your driveway for a week
- ✓ Same-day available: Call before 2 PM, we're there today
- ✓ Lower minimum than the dump: Starting at $69 vs La Mesa's $80
Learn more: Dumpster Rental San Diego: Why Junk Removal Is the Better Alternative
When DIY to La Mesa Dump Makes Sense
To be fair, there ARE situations where a DIY dump run makes sense:
- ✓You already own a truck and don't need to rent one
- ✓Just 1-2 small items that fit in your car trunk
- ✓You want to use the buyback center to get paid for CRV recyclables (unique to La Mesa!)
- ✓You live within 5 minutes of EDCO Station La Mesa
- ✓You enjoy physical work and have the free time
If none of these apply, professional junk removal is usually the smarter choice—both financially and for your time.
Professional Junk Removal in La Mesa
Severin Hauling provides professional junk removal in La Mesa, El Cajon, Santee, Spring Valley, Lemon Grove, and throughout East County San Diego. We're the local alternative to DIY dump runs.
✓Service Areas
- • La Mesa
- • El Cajon
- • Santee
- • Spring Valley
- • Lemon Grove & East County
✓Key Benefits
- • Open 7 days/week (no early weekday close)
- • Same-day service available
- • We handle items the dump restricts
- • No tarp needed
- • Zero physical labor from you
La Mesa Dump vs. Santee Dump - Which is Closer?
Both La Mesa (EDCO Station) and Santee dump (Sycamore Landfill) serve East County. Here's how they compare:
| Factor | EDCO La Mesa | Sycamore Santee |
|---|---|---|
| Address | 8184 Commercial St | 8514 Mast Blvd |
| Minimum fee | $80 | ~$76 |
| Sunday hours | OPEN (8AM-4:30PM) | CLOSED |
| Weekday close | 2:30 PM | 4:30 PM |
| Recycling buyback | ✓ Yes (get paid!) | ❌ No |
Recommendation: La Mesa is better for weekends (open Sunday!) and if you have recyclables to sell. Santee has longer weekday hours if you can't make La Mesa's 2:30 PM cutoff. Either way, professional junk removal saves you the trip entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are La Mesa dump hours?
EDCO Station La Mesa public disposal hours: Monday-Friday 5:00 AM to 2:30 PM (note the early close!), Saturday 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Sunday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Open all days except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. The Recycling Buyback Center has different hours.
How much does it cost to dump at La Mesa?
$80 flat fee for loads under 800 lbs, $115/ton for larger loads. At $80 minimum, La Mesa is cheaper than some other San Diego County facilities. Professional junk removal starts at $69 for small items, often costing about the same when you factor in truck rental and time.
Is La Mesa dump open on Sunday?
Yes! EDCO Station La Mesa is open Sunday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. This is convenient for weekend disposal. The Recycling Buyback Center is CLOSED on Sundays.
What time does La Mesa dump close?
Weekdays close at 2:30 PM (earlier than most dumps!). Weekends open until 4:30 PM. May close early on high-volume days, so call ahead if making a long trip. Professional junk removal operates all day with no early closure risk.
Can I get paid for recycling at La Mesa dump?
Yes! The EDCO Recycling Buyback Center pays for CRV plastics, cans, and bottles. Open Monday-Friday 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM (Noon), Saturday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, CLOSED Sunday. Bring your recyclables separately - you might offset some of your disposal costs!
Is there a La Mesa landfill?
EDCO Station La Mesa is technically a transfer station, not a landfill, but locals call it "La Mesa dump" or "La Mesa landfill." Located at 8184 Commercial St., La Mesa, CA.
Where can I drop off e-waste in La Mesa?
EDCO Station La Mesa accepts e-waste drop-off open to the public. For batteries and sharps, you must be an EDCO customer - or use a junk removal service like Severin Hauling that handles these items through proper disposal channels.
Should I rent a dumpster or use junk removal in La Mesa?
Junk removal is usually better - same or lower cost, we do all the work, and no dumpster blocking your driveway for a week. Dumpster rental costs $300-$600+ PLUS dump fees PLUS 8-12 hours of your labor. Professional junk removal costs $100-$495 all-in with zero work from you.
What's the difference between La Mesa dump and Santee dump?
La Mesa (EDCO) is open Sundays and has a recycling buyback center where you get paid for CRV items. Santee (Sycamore) has longer weekday hours (until 4:30 PM vs 2:30 PM) but is closed Sundays. Both have similar pricing. Professional junk removal eliminates the trip to either facility.
Related Resources
Ready to Skip the La Mesa Dump?
We serve La Mesa, El Cajon, Santee, Spring Valley, Lemon Grove, and all of East County with professional junk removal that's often cheaper than DIY—and requires zero work from you.
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