What Can I Throw in a Dumpster?

Considering a residential dumpster for your home cleanout? You can put most household junk items in a dumpster, including old knickknacks, clothing, toys, pots, pans and more. Certain appliances and electronics can often be put in a dumpster, but not always — it’s best to call ahead before throwing these items away.

Depending on regulations in your area, throwing appliances and electronics into a dumpster may result in a per-item disposal fee.

Wooden furniture such as tables, chairs and bookcases are almost always accepted. However, you should ask about upholstered furniture such as couches and recliners, as these items are not accepted in all locations. (See the Upholstered Furniture section below for more details.)

Be aware that throwing away furniture may carry an additional fee in some areas due to local disposal regulations.

Heavy materials such as brick, asphalt, broken concrete and concrete block can be disposed of using heavy debris dumpsters. Budget Dumpster offers specific dumpsters for heavy materials in areas where we accept them.

Debris from building, demolition and home improvement projects can almost always be thrown away in a construction dumpster. This can include drywall, flooring, wall tiles, broken bathroom fixtures, tiles, subfloor materials, old countertops and more.

In most cases, you can put untreated lumber and other wood from construction projects into a dumpster, including two-by-fours and studs. Treated lumber, such as railroad ties, is almost never allowed in your roll off container.

Our dumpsters can be used for storm debris removal and cleaning up uncontaminated and non-hazardous materials. We usually accept damaged building materials and yard waste as well, provided that the items fall within the given service area's restrictions.

Check out The Essential Guide to Planning for Severe Weather to learn how to prepare your home for and safely clean up after a big storm.

Refrigerators typically cannot be put in a dumpster because the refrigerant they contain is toxic. You can usually dispose of refrigerators through your local sanitation department’s bulk debris pickup program. In some areas, you may be able to throw away your refrigerator using a dumpster if it has been properly drained by an HVAC professional.

However, if you are simply throwing out one refrigerator, it may be easier to call an appliance retailer to handle it. Some will provide free disposal with the purchase of a new appliance.

Hot water tanks are generally not allowed in dumpster rentals because their void space can collect harmful gases inside landfills. If you need to dispose of a hot water heater or tank, contact your local waste management department or recycling facility.

You cannot throw tires in a dumpster, as they can damage the landfill structures and equipment. Whole tires are capable of "floating" to the top of a landfill as methane gas builds up inside the tire's inner wall. Most auto parts stores and municipal waste departments will accept old tires to recycle them into asphalt and other industrial applications. Check this tire recycling database to find a tire recycler in your area.

Paints and lacquers are prohibited because they can contain lead or mercury, especially if they were manufactured prior to the 1990s. Prohibited paints include paint thinners, lacquers and wood stains.

However, in most municipalities, you can dispose of dry latex paint as long as it's wrapped in a plastic bag. Empty paint cans are also usually accepted.

Adhesives such as glue or epoxy should not go in a dumpster as they can bind other materials to the interior of the container. Instead, throw these items out with your regular household trash or recycling.

Car batteries, as well as lithium batteries, cannot be put in a dumpster because they can leak chemicals that are harmful to the environment. You can take old car batteries to a local recycler, such as an auto shop. Lithium batteries, like those found in laptops, can be recycled at most big-box electronics stores. General-purpose alkaline batteries, such as AA's, AAA's and D's, are allowed in a dumpster.

Infectious waste includes materials that have been used in medicine or have come into contact with bodily fluids. Used medical supplies, including needles and bandages, should be handled by haulers with a license for medical waste disposal.

Hazardous materials and liquids cannot go in a dumpster. Examples of hazardous waste include asbestos, pesticides, contaminated soils or absorbents, motor oil, other automotive fluids and medical waste. Always make sure to follow the proper procedures in your location and find a hazardous waste collection center near you to handle the disposal responsibly.

Contaminated soils and absorbents that are mixed with hazardous substances cannot be disposed of through normal waste haulers. They must either be treated or contained per federal Superfund guidelines.

Chemical cleaners or solvents should not be thrown away in a dumpster. However, empty containers are usually accepted, as long as they do not contain residual chemicals.

Ink used in pens and printers, as well as resins, can damage equipment and stain the interior of dumpsters. These are best disposed of through recycling centers or retailers with drop-off locations.

Disposing of propane tanks, fuels, oils and other flammable materials in a dumpster is a serious safety hazard. These substances are highly combustible, and disposing of them improperly is illegal in most areas. You should contact a propane company, your local fire department or a hazardous material collection center for further disposal information.

Since many railroad ties are treated with harmful wood preservatives, they aren’t allowed in our dumpsters. However, most landfills will accept intact railroad ties. They can also be recycled and reused by organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, or local businesses looking for landscaping supplies and parking lot bumpers.

Asbestos is a flame retardant found in older homes and various industrial products. It is considered to be a carcinogen in most U.S. states, which has resulted in landfill bans. If you know your home contains asbestos, you should contact a licensed contractor to ensure for a safe removal and disposal.