What Can You Throw In A Dumpster

Certain items cannot be thrown away in a dumpster due to safety concerns or legal requirements. Not sure if you can put something in your roll off container? To find out what’s accepted in your area, consult the list below or call us at (864) 572-7562.

What You Can Throw Away

If you’re asking “What can I put in a dumpster?” This is the section for you. Almost anything that does not endanger the dumpster or the environment is safe to throw away. Here’s a list of things you can confidently throw away in a dumpster rental:

Household trash

Common household waste can be disposed of in dumpsters. Household trash is any non-hazardous household material, such as furniture, regular waste, and some appliances. Outdoor wastes, such as shingles and siding, is also considered safe household garbage.

Wooden furniture

Wooden furniture can be disposed of safely in a dumpster. Chairs, tables, coffee tables, end tables, stools, bed frames, and shelves are examples of common wooden furniture pieces. Most landfills will accept anything made entirely of untreated wood.

Household appliances

Microwaves, blenders, coffee brewers, and toasters are acceptable for dumpster disposal. The rules and regulations vary depending on the type of appliance you need to dispose of, such as refrigerators and washing machines. Smaller appliances can almost always be thrown away in a dumpster rental.

Yard Waste

Yard wastes such as leaves, branches, and sticks are usually safe to dispose of in a dumpster rental. Even if you have a lot of it, anything organic and non-hazardous should be fine to throw in.

Dirt

In most cases, dirt disposal is permitted; however, contaminated soil cannot be discarded. You can also look into your community’s options for recycling soil rather than dumping it.

Electronics

If computers and other electronic devices can no longer be recycled, they are all acceptable waste items. This, however, only applies to small amounts of e-waste discarded. Larger amounts of e-waste require different disposal methods.

Empty aerosol cans

Aerosol cans can be discarded if they are completely empty. Because even a small amount of leftover aerosol can cause an explosion, landfills and trash companies do not allow any filled aerosol products.

Debris from demolition

A dumpster can hold waste such as drywall, plywood, brick, concrete, stone, and tiles. Keep in mind weight restrictions, as these heavier waste products can quickly add up.

What You Can’t Throw Away

There are some limitations on what waste can be thrown away in a dumpster rental, both for the benefit of the environment and the dumpsters themselves.

Refrigerators and air conditioners

Freon, a toxic refrigerant, is used in refrigerators. Before fridges can be disposed of safely, the freon must be completely drained, which often necessitates the assistance of a professional. Most air conditioners use the refrigerant Freon, making them dangerous to dispose of without draining. Even newer refrigerants, such as Puron, are hazardous to the environment.

Tires

Tires are not legally permitted in landfills, making them unacceptably large components of dumpster waste. The hole in their centre has been observed to fill with methane gas, causing havoc in landfills. Instead, take your tyres to a car dealership or similar location for recycling.

Lacquers and paints

Wet paint and lacquers should not be discarded. Empty paint cans with dry remnants are acceptable, but only after the entire contents have dried. If necessary, pour latex paints into an absorbent material and wait for them to dry before disposing of them.

Adhesives

Adhesives are not permitted in dumpsters. If you put them in a full bin, they may rupture and leak glue into the dumpster. Waste could then adhere to the dumpster’s walls, which is something we want to avoid.

Non-alkaline batteries

Batteries that use lithium or anything other than alkaline are not safe to throw away. Car batteries, large battery packs for boats and RVs, and any battery-powered generators are all on the list of dangerous batteries.

When these batteries are compressed, such as in a landfill, they can easily emit toxic fumes and chemicals.

Hazardous materials

Hazard symbols should be checked on all waste items. If you find any, do not throw them away. Instead, consult the product’s packaging for instructions on how to properly dispose of the hazardous material. Recycling may also be an option.

Medical infectious waste

Items such as syringes and contaminated materials should not be disposed of in a dumpster. Anything tainted with blood or other bodily fluids is also prohibited.

Hot water tanks

Like aerosol cans, hot water tanks have the potential to explode in landfills. Their tank frequently fills with gases, making them difficult to dispose of safely. As a result, they are not permitted to be thrown in a dumpster rental.

Resins and inks

Inks and resins cannot be thrown away for the same reason that glue cannot. Ink cartridges can easily rupture and spill their contents, contaminating products.

Fuels and oils

Oils and fuels are not permitted in dumpster rentals. Verify to see what options your state or community has in place for waste disposal.

Asbestos

Household waste and construction debris should only be discarded if they are not contaminated with asbestos. Adding contaminated waste to your dumpster will contaminate more waste, posing a significant problem. For your and others’ safety, asbestos must be professionally removed.

Household cleaning fluids

The majority of cleaning products should not be thrown away in a dumpster rental. Check the product packaging for disposal instructions. Most detergents, for example, can be diluted and poured down the drain.

What You Can Sometimes Throw Away

The following list requires some knowledge of state regulations in order to determine whether you can or cannot dispose of them, which a quick Internet search will reveal.

Stumps

Stumps are large, heavy pieces of waste that are sometimes prohibited from landfills. The number of stumps may be the limiting factor, implying that one would suffice, or they may not be permitted at all.

Mattresses

Because of their mixed-material composition, mattresses are typically not permitted to be thrown in a dumpster rental. They frequently contain recyclable wires and springs that are not intended for landfills.

Upholstered Furniture

Various landfills prohibit the disposal of padded and upholstered furniture. Some do, but it’s important to check ahead of time.

Event/Food Waste

Food waste in large amounts may not be accepted. Small amounts may be permissible, but some states outright prohibit food waste. 

If you know you’ll have a large amount of food, consider using a compost centre to properly dispose of food waste. Keep in mind that when food waste sits in landfills, it emits some of the most harmful gases to the environment (methane).