Tipping Fee
The charge paid by waste haulers to dispose of waste at a WTE facility or landfill, typically per ton.
Tipping fees are a primary revenue stream for waste-to-energy facilities, alongside electricity sales. US WTE tipping fees typically range from $50-120 per ton, compared to $30-80 per ton for landfills. Higher tipping fees at WTE plants reflect higher capital and operating costs but are justified by reduced landfill dependence, energy recovery, and volume reduction. Some municipalities negotiate long-term waste supply contracts to ensure facility viability.