WHAT CAN GO IN A DUMPSTER?
Most everyday junk and debris is fair game. A short list of hazardous items is not. Here is what goes in, what stays out, and what to do with the rest.
Load it up
WHAT YOU CAN TOSS IN.
Most of what a home or job site produces is welcome. Keep heavy debris like concrete in its own smaller box, and you are set.
Household junk
Furniture, boxes, clutter, and general trash.
Construction debris
Drywall, lumber, flooring, and cabinets.
Roofing shingles
Tear-off shingles, sized for the weight.
Yard waste
Branches, brush, and green debris.
Appliances
Most, though refrigerant units need special handling.
Concrete & dirt
In a smaller box priced for the weight.
Keep these out
WHAT CAN'T GO IN.
These items are prohibited from dumpsters and standard landfills for safety and environmental reasons. Putting them in can mean extra fees or a rejected load, so they need the right disposal path.
Paint, solvents & chemicals
Wet paint, stains, cleaners, and pool chemicals.
Oil, fuel & propane
Motor oil, gasoline, and pressurized propane tanks.
Tires
Handled separately at tire-specific recyclers.
Batteries
Car, lithium, and household batteries.
Asbestos & hazardous materials
Require licensed abatement and disposal.
Medical & biohazard waste
Sharps and contaminated materials.
Not sure about something in your load? Just ask. We will tell you whether it can go in the box and, if not, point you to the right place for it.
Free, no obligation
NOT SURE? ASK US.
Tell us what you are getting rid of and we will confirm what can go in the dumpster, or handle the tricky items with a junk haul instead.
Questions
WHAT'S ALLOWED?
Can I put paint in a dumpster?
Wet or liquid paint cannot go in a dumpster, as it is considered hazardous. Fully dried-out latex paint is sometimes acceptable, but check first. Many areas take leftover paint at recycling events or drop-off sites, and we can point you to the right option.
Can I throw a mattress in a dumpster?
Sometimes, but many landfills ban or surcharge mattresses, so it is often better to have them removed and recycled separately. If you have mattresses in your load, tell us and we will handle them the right way.
Can I put tires in a dumpster?
No. Tires are prohibited from dumpsters and standard landfills and must go to tire-specific recyclers. We can advise on where to take them or handle them as a separate item.
Can appliances and electronics go in a dumpster?
Most appliances can, but refrigerators, freezers, and AC units hold refrigerant that must be recovered to code first. Electronics are restricted from many landfills. We recycle both properly, so it is often easier to let us haul them.
What happens if I put a prohibited item in the dumpster?
Prohibited items can lead to extra fees or a load being rejected at the landfill. When in doubt, ask us before you toss it in. We will tell you whether it is fine and, if not, where it should go.