Check Out This Unique Dump In North Dakota

Before you get mad at me for calling something in our state a "dump," allow me to first explain.

It is spring cleanup week, so everyone is getting rid of their trash, clutter and other odds and ends. Sometimes in order to get all of that stuff out of your home, you can't simply sit it on the curb. Sometimes you have to take a little journey to the city dump.

If you didn't know, the city of Bismarck has a new solid waste disposal area. So yes, we're talking about an actual dump here.

One of my coworkers took two trips to the new landfill pit this week. He said he was a bit awestruck.

"Picture this: you drive in and it feels like entering the top row of the Vikings stadium. You're looking down into a massive bustling operation that hums with purpose, seagulls, and well, that classic landfill aroma," said Bill Schmid.

He also said he actually enjoys going. I know this sounds strange, but he said it's his seasonal ritual, and I'm sure you understand where he's coming from; it's always satisfying to toss out the old and make space for the new.

The new state-of-the-art disposal site opened to the public at the end of March (2025).

"It isn't just a big hole in the ground. Building a new pit takes serious engineering. Workers line it with high-density plastic to protect the groundwater, install a network of pipes, for leachate (liquid garbage waste), then add layers of rock, sand, and even wood chips," says Schmid.

Schmid tells me that all of this is done before a single bag of trash is dumped. He also says that the new pit comes with a $4.75 million price tag.

Spring cleanup week is a good time to get a little perspective. We should take a minute to remind ourselves that behind every piece of garbage, every can, there are hard-working North Dakotans that keep our cities clean. --We salute you!

If you have some items you'd like to take there, you can find the pit at 2111 N 52nd Street.