An Overview of Prohibited Items
Contrary to popular belief, renting a dumpster doesn’t mean you can throw just any and all junk or waste you have lying around your home. There are certain items that are prohibited from being disposed of in your average dumpster, just as there are your local trash removal. These items are banned by nearly all dumpster rental companies nationwide for environmental reasons, it’s very important to us that our customers follow these guidelines to ensure the safety of both our environment and your wallets!
We advise you always discuss the specific type(s) of waste you’re disposing of with your project manager. The more details they know about the waste you are disposing of the better your rental experience will be. Remember, any prohibited items that are disposed of can and will result in additional fees, so it’s best to follow the rules.
Below we’ll go over the specific items you can and cannot throw away in your dumpster rental.
Acceptable Waste
Generally, any type of construction and demolition (C&D) debris is allowed, including but not limited to:
- Concrete
- Drywall
- Brick, stone, and masonry
- Siding
- Roofing shingles
- Renovation debris
- Household junk
- Yard Waste
Prohibited Items Include
- Appliances containing Freon (e.g. refrigerators, air conditioners, washer, dryer, t.v set)
- Mattresses / Box springs, Sofas / Couches
- Large pieces of furniture (e.g book cases, dining room tables – unless broken up)
- Motor oil and other automobile fluids
- Batteries (lead-acid batteries; e.g. car battery)
- Flammable liquids and materials
- Explosives (e.g. fireworks)
- Whole tires
- Paint, oils, varnish, etc.
- Asbestos materials
So How Do I Dispose of These Prohibited Items?
If you have any of these items and need to dispose of them, don’t stress. There is a safe and eco-friendly way to dispose of the waste that is prohibited.
For Toxic Chemicals:
- Chemical solvents
- Paints
- Tires
You can drop these items at the nearest household hazardous waste (HHW) collection site. Depending on your city, you may have the option to year-round drop off, or annual HHW collection events. Check your local government website for more information.
Additional Eco-Friendly Tips for Disposing of Prohibited Wastes
- Take used motor oil to a local oil change facility for proper recycling.
- Most auto part stores and repair shops accept used car batteries for proper recycling.
- Bring used tires to a tire changing facility for recycling, or put them on Craigslist for free. What you consider junk may not be junk to someone else!
- Donate working appliances and TVs to Habitat for Humanity or another local charity.
- Donate or recycle e-waste, like cellphones, tablets, computers, and printers.
Was this post helpful for you? Let us know in the comments below! As always, if you’re ready to order your next dumpster rental, give us a call!