What Can You Throw in a Dumpster?

A good rule of thumb is, if you can throw it out in your trash can you can throw it in the dumpster. Things like old blankets, toys, curtains, rugs, and similar non-organic trash can all be put in a dumpster. While you can throw in things like cardboard or old books, we urge you to sort and recycle those materials instead to help out the environment. Check out our full list of recyclable materials to learn more.

Typically all furniture including couches, dressers, and tables, are allowed in a dumpster. There are however some counties where mattresses and upholstery furniture are not allowed in landfills, or disposing of them comes with additional fees.

If you are unsure if you can dispose of mattresses or upholstery furniture in your local area be sure to contact us for help.

Most appliances can be thrown into a dumpster: ovens, washers, dryers, etc. are all acceptable. For example, any and all components containing hazardous fluids must be removed first.

For example, older refrigerators contain freon, a chemical that erodes the ozone layer which must be safely removed and disposed of separately and properly. For more information on the proper disposal of hazardous components, check out the EPA's Responsible Appliance Disposal program.

If you have an appliance that still has some life in it you can also try using an app like OfferUp to divert waste from the landfill entirely.

Material from your home renovation project: drywall, siding, studs, etc. can be disposed of in your dumpster. Just be sure not to include anything from the What Can't I Put in a Dumpster section.

Renovation waste tends to be heavier. Make sure that you have a dumpster with an adequate ton limit or know the overage fee pricing for your area. Learn more about dumpster pricing and weight limits to avoid surprises on your bill.

Brush, branches, logs, and other wood can be placed in a dumpster. There are some counties though that will limit how much organic waste can go in. Be sure to contact us to find out the limits for your town.

Pro Tip: In most counties, you will receive a discounted rate for dumpsters that are all one material. If you are disposing of just yard waste make sure to select the appropriate material at checkout.

Asphalt roofing shingles can go into a dumpster. However, due to their weight, it is best to get a dedicated roll-off container for them. In most counties, you will get better pricing if the container is all roofing shingles, while in others additional fees may be charged if they're mixed in with other materials. Feel free to ask what the policy is for your town or order a roofing shingles dumpster rental.

In small quantities, these materials are allowed in a container. But if you have a large quantity, you'll want to get a dedicated dumpster for a concrete and heavy debris dumpster rental.

Asbestos can be found in older homes and is considered a carcinogen. A majority of U.S. landfills have banned it and many states have strict regulations around disposing of it.

If you have asbestos you should contact a licensed contractor to ensure safe removal. We can provide you with an asbestos dumpster with specialty lining and loading instructions to ensure proper disposal. Contact us for details.

Paints, stains, and lacquers may contain lead or mercury and are prohibited from landfills and dumpsters. Use PaintCare to find drop-off locations for your leftover paint.

However, placing dried and solidified latex paints into the dumpster is ok if it is first wrapped in a plastic bag. Empty paint cans are also allowed in the container, but placing them in the recycling bin is a more eco-friendly option.

Electronics should not be placed in dumpsters. Some areas allow for electronics to be thrown into the container, but many states have e-waste recycling and prohibit it from landfills. TVs, computers, printers, and other electronics in a dumpster can result in an additional charge based on your area.

You can donate or recycle most electronics. Many states, like New Jersey, have robust and easy-to-use e-waste programs. Find out the e-waste recycling options in your state.

Car batteries and lithium batteries cannot go into a dumpster because they can leak chemicals that are harmful to the environment. Old car batteries can be taken to almost any store that sells them. Lithium batteries can be recycled at most big-box stores in the designated drop-off bins.

While small alkaline batteries (AA's, AAA's, etc.) can be placed in the dumpster, we ask that you also bring these to drop-off bins as they can still harm the environment as well as cause fires.

Contaminated soil, soil that has been mixed with hazardous substances, cannot be thrown into the dumpster. They must be contained or treated per Federal Superfund Guidelines and be handled by a certified hauler.

Contact us if you have contaminated soil and we will help you properly dispose of it.

Flammable materials like gasoline, diesel, fuels, oils, and propane tanks are highly combustible. They present a serious safety risk to drivers, landfill workers, and you. They are not allowed in dumpsters and disposing of them improperly is illegal in most areas.

Contact a propane company, hazardous material collection center, or your local fire department for information on how to properly dispose of them in your area.

Hot water tanks can collect harmful landfill gases inside of them and are not allowed in every landfill. Contact us if you need to dispose of your hot water heater.

Hazardous materials and liquids must be handled properly and cannot go into a normal dumpster. Some examples of hazardous materials would be medical waste, pesticides, household cleaners, ink, and resins. If you have a large amount of these materials you can contact us to be serviced by a certified Hazardous Waste Hauler.

If you have only a few hazardous waste materials most areas hold community collection events where you can drop off the hazardous material for proper disposal. Contact a local hazardous materials collection center for more information about the proper procedure in your area.