I take mine to the transfer station. Not much smell there, unless you talk about the questionable unwantables that hang out there to pick up a piece of furniture, a CD rack, and an old mattress that only has one stain and it doesn't even go through to the other side!
I went to the dump the other night. There were 6 vehicles there, about 15 people. I think I was the only one unloading trash. The others were "repurposing" trash. Sure, if you see a decent nightstand in the reuse pile, by all means, put it in your vehicle and leave. Please don't come with your own garbage pokin' stick and stir up the trash. I seriously doubt there is anything of worth beneath the garbage bag full of rotten food, used tampons and baby diapers, and if there is, you probably don't want it in your home.
Some idiot wrote a letter to our newspaper talking about how he boycotts Wal-Mart and other establishments because he can go to the dump. He listed what he had found recently, and it included a coffee maker, silverware, and canned food. WTF?!?! If you are getting your food and table settings at the transfer station you should probably reevaluate your life and spend that time working, not dumpster diving.
Sphincter.