Waste-processing and transportation systems and methods are described. An exemplary waste processing and transportation system (10) comprises a receiving area (20) where loose waste (28) is delivered, a baler (22) for processing the loose waste (28) into waste bales (34), and a loading area (26) where the waste bales (34) are loaded onto a transport vehicle (e.g., a barge 36). A loader (32a) may operate in the receiving area (20) to load the loose waste (28) into the baler (22). At least one material handler (42a) may be configured to move the waste bales (34) onto the transport vehicle (36) for transport to a waste transfer facility (14). The waste bales (34) are configured such that the waste bales are unloaded from the transport vehicle (36) at the waste transfer facility (14) and loaded onto other transport vehicles (e.g., railcars 38) without further processing of the waste bales (34).