Renting a dumpster makes debris disposal easier because you can gather all of your debris in one location. However, some materials are prohibited from being disposed of in dumpsters due to safety hazards or regional laws. Before beginning your debris disposal, be sure to go over the list of items you can put in a dumpster.
Reliable Dumpster Rental for Your Project
From home renovations to construction projects, our roll off dumpsters make your debris removal simple, efficient, and convenient. Even if you’ve never rented a dumpster before, we’ll walk you through the process step-by-step and offer support all throughout your rental period.
Please remember that local debris regulations in some areas prohibit us from disposing of specific items that we generally take. Are you unsure whether a specific item can be put in your roll-off dumpster? To find out what is accepted in your area, check out the list below or give us a call to find out the disposal guidelines in your location.
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What Can You Put in a Dumpster?
Dumpsters are frequently used for household debris and construction or home renovation debris. This includes common household items from decluttering projects as well as remodeling debris such drywall, metal, lumber, and flooring.
Brick, Asphalt & Concrete
Heavy debris dumpsters can be used to dispose of large and heavy materials like brick, asphalt, concrete, and pallets. For heavy debris, DTG Recycle provides special heavy debris dumpster sizes in specific locations. Please inform our team about the type of heavy debris you will be disposing of so we can determine whether or not it will be allowed.
Construction & Home Renovation Debris
Typically, debris from construction, demolition, and home improvement projects may be disposed of in a construction dumpster rental. This includes drywall, asphalt, flooring, wall tiles, and more.
Household Appliances
Unless otherwise specified, most appliances can be disposed of in a dumpster. Appliances like microwaves, vacuums, and dishwashers are typically accepted. We also take lawnmowers as long as there is no gas in them.
Lumber
Most of the time, you can throw lumber and other wood from construction projects into a dumpster. However, pressure treated lumber and railroad ties are excluded.
Wooden Furniture and Wood Scraps
Wooden tables, chairs, and bookcases are typically allowed to be put in a dumpster. Depending on where you live, disposing of furniture may incur an additional fee. On the other hand, wood debris can generally be thrown in your dumpster rental without any problems. The only possible exception is when the wood was chemically treated.
Keep in mind that not all areas accept upholstered furniture like couches and recliners. For further information, see the Upholstered Furniture section below.
Yard Debris
Most of our dumpster rentals accept yard debris such as grass clippings, brush, and weeds. Only a very small number of areas impose restrictions on yard debris. To ensure you get the best size for your disposal needs, we encourage you to be specific about the types of yard debris you wish to dispose of.
Roofing Shingles
Most of our service areas allow you to dispose of roofing shingles in a dumpster container. However, we mostly accept composite roofing only. Please inform our team about the type of roofing material you plan to get rid of so we can determine whether or not it can be accepted.
Items that Might Be Accepted
Some areas permit the disposal of specific items in dumpsters, including mattresses, upholstered furniture, and electronics. They can incur an extra fee if they are accepted. Nevertheless, this is not always the case because debris disposal regulations might differ from state to state and even from city to city. To find out whether any of the items below are accepted in your location, give us a call at (425) 549-3000.
Dirt
In some service areas, you can dispose of dirt in a dumpster bin. Take note that a dumpster cannot be used to store soil that has been contaminated by chemicals or other artificial debris. It must be sent to a facility that treats soil properly.
Electronics
You can discard electronics in dumpsters in some locations. Typically, this includes TVs, computers, printers, and other personal electronic devices. However, there is an extra per-item fee in some areas.
Before deciding to dispose of your old TV or laptop, you can opt for a more eco-friendly disposal solution like electronics recycling. You can drop off your e-scrap at our specific locations or schedule a pickup.
Flooring Materials
The majority of flooring materials are acceptable for dumpster disposal. However, several types of flooring are often prohibited in some areas. These include flooring materials like vinyl and laminate. To guarantee that we can accept the flooring material you are disposing of for any flooring project, be sure to specify what kind of material it is.
Mattresses & Box Springs
Some areas allow mattresses and box springs to be disposed of in dumpsters. Some places will only take them in exchange for additional costs. This is subject to each locality’s specific regulations on hauling and dumping. We can help point you in the direction of appropriate disposal options. In case a dumpster isn’t an option in your area, you can drop off your mattress at some of our locations for a nominal fee.
Upholstered Furniture
In many places, upholstered furniture like couches and recliners can be thrown in a dumpster. However, some areas are prohibited from disposing of upholstered furniture in dumpsters. Contact us to find out whether your upholstered furniture can be thrown in a dumpster in your location.
What are Prohibited Items for Your Dumpster?
Even while most debris can be disposed of in a roll-off dumpster, some items must never be put in the container, no matter which area you live. Before beginning your debris disposal job, be sure to go over this list of prohibited items.
Aerosol Cans
Aerosol cans, whether full or partially filled, may explode. Liquid-filled aerosol cans shouldn’t be thrown away in a dumpster.
Adhesives
Epoxy and glue shouldn’t be disposed of in dumpsters since they can glue other items to the container’s interior. As an alternative, dispose of these adhesives in your ordinary household litter basket or dustbin.
Asbestos
Older houses and a variety of industrial products may contain asbestos, which acts as a flame retardant. Due to it being considered as a carcinogen, landfills no longer accept asbestos in the majority of U.S. states. Contact a certified asbestos abatement contractor for safe removal and disposal if you are aware that your home contains asbestos.
Batteries
Batteries are not permitted to be thrown into a dumpster rental. These include car batteries and lithium batteries. Lead, mercury, and nickel are some battery components that are harmful to people and dangerous to the environment. You can drop off your used batteries at our specific locations.
Contaminated Soils & Absorbents
Contaminated soils and absorbents that contain hazardous substances cannot be disposed of in rented dumpsters. In accordance with federal Superfund regulations, they must either be treated or contained.
Freon Appliances
Refrigerators and air conditioners are considered as Freon appliances and are not permitted to be put in a dumpster rental. Moreover, these are regarded as bulky appliances, which are typically not permitted to be thrown in dumpsters. Freon is a hazardous substance that can harm the ozone layer. Trace amounts of Freon may still be present and seep out even after the appliance’s Freon has been drained.
Hazardous Materials
Liquids and hazardous materials are not permitted to be put in dumpsters. Pesticides, nail polish remover (acetone), rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol), chlorine bleach, fertilizer (ammonium nitrate), and compact fluorescent lightbulbs are a few examples of hazardous debris. Always make sure to adhere to local regulations and search for a hazardous debris collection facility nearby to handle disposal appropriately.
Household Chemical Cleaners
You shouldn’t dispose of chemical cleaners or solvents in a dumpster. However, as long as they don’t contain any leftover chemicals, empty containers are typically acceptable.
Hot Water Tanks
Hot water tanks are bulky appliances. Due to weight restrictions, the majority of large household appliances are not permitted in a dumpster rental. Additionally, the void space in the tanks provides a space for harmful gasses to collect inside. Get in touch with your local recycling center or debris management department if you need to dispose of a hot water tank.
Industrial Drums
Potentially hazardous byproducts of industrial processes are kept in industrial drums. These ought to be disposed of by haulers who are authorized to dispose of hazardous materials.
Ink & Resins
Resins, used in pens and printers, can stain the inside of dumpsters and harm equipment. The best way to get rid of these is through retailers with drop-off locations or recycling facilities.
Used Medical Devices and Equipment
Sanitation personnel are at risk from possibly infectious medical devices and equipment. Materials used in medicine or that have come into contact with bodily fluids are included in the category of medical infectious devices. Used medical equipment, such as needles and bandages, should be handled by haulers who are authorized to dispose of used medical devices.
Oils, Fuels & Propane Tanks
A dumpster poses a major safety risk when propane tanks, fuels, oils, and other combustible materials are disposed of there. Due to their high combustibility, inappropriate disposal of these substances is typically prohibited. For further information about disposal, get in touch with a propane company, your local fire department, or a hazardous material collection facility.
Paint Cans & Lacquers
Paints and lacquers are not allowed to be thrown in a dumpster rental because they may contain lead or mercury, especially if they were produced before the 1990s. Paint thinners, lacquers, and wood stains are examples of prohibited paints. However, as long as dry latex paint is packaged in a plastic bag, you can discard it in the majority of localities. Empty paint cans are typically also accepted.
Railroad Ties
We cannot accept railroad ties in our dumpsters because many of them have been treated with hazardous wood preservatives. However, the majority of landfills will take undamaged railroad ties. They can also be recycled and used by local businesses seeking parking lot bumpers and landscaping supplies.
Tires
Tires are not permitted in dumpsters because they could harm landfill equipment and structures. As methane gas accumulates inside the inner wall of the tire, whole tires are able to “float” to the top of a landfill. You may drop off your old tires at some of our locations. At certain locations, we do pay for your tires.