What Can't You Put in a Dumpster?
Prohibited items are not arbitrary. They are materials that damage equipment, endanger crews, or are barred from landfills by federal and state law. Putting one in a container usually results in a removal fee and a delayed pickup.
Hazardous and flammable materials
Paint and solvents, gasoline, diesel, motor and cooking oil, antifreeze, pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals, adhesives, propane tanks and aerosol cans are prohibited nationwide. Most counties run free household hazardous waste collection events, and many paint retailers accept latex paint.
Regulated waste streams
Asbestos-containing material, lead paint debris, medical and biohazard waste, contaminated soil and industrial process waste require licensed abatement or specialty disposal. Never place them in a standard roll-off.
Items with separate recycling requirements
Tires, all battery types, fluorescent tubes and ballasts, electronics in many states, and appliances containing refrigerant must be diverted. Tire and refrigerant disposal is typically inexpensive when handled through the right channel and expensive when discovered at the scale house.
What happens if a prohibited item is found
Loads are inspected at the disposal facility. If a prohibited item is identified, the facility may reject the load entirely, and the container returns to your site for sorting. That means a rejected-load charge plus an additional haul. It is always cheaper to ask first.
Safe alternatives
Search your county solid waste authority for household hazardous waste drop-off dates, use retailer take-back programs for batteries and electronics, and use an HVAC technician to evacuate refrigerant before disposing of cooling appliances. Call us if you are unsure about a specific item; we would rather answer the question than send a truck twice.
Talk it through with a dispatcher
Every project has a detail a guide cannot cover. Call 1-800-555-0147 or request a quote and we will work through the specifics with you before anything is scheduled.
Frequently asked questions
Can I throw away paint if it is dried out?
Fully dried latex paint is accepted in many markets. Liquid paint of any kind is not.
What about a propane grill tank?
Not accepted. Exchange retailers and many hardware stores take them back.
Are tires ever allowed?
Occasionally for an added per-tire fee in some markets, but never by default. Ask before loading.