What Can You Throw in a Dumpster?

Household Junk

Considering a residential dumpster for your home cleanout? You can put most household junk in a dumpster, including chairs, blankets, 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.

Wooden Furniture

Wooden furniture, such as tables, chairs and bookcases, is 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 result in an extra fee in some areas due to local disposal regulations.

Brick, Asphalt & Concrete

Heavy materials such as brick, asphalt, broken concrete, pallets and cinder blocks can be disposed of using heavy debris dumpsters. Budget Dumpster offers specific dumpsters for heavy materials in certain areas.

Construction & Home Improvement Debris

Debris from building, demolition and home improvement projects can almost always be thrown away in a construction dumpster. This includes drywall, flooring, wall tiles, insulation, carpet, toilets, subfloor materials, old countertops and more.

Lumber

In most cases, you can put untreated lumber and other wood from construction projects into a dumpster, including two-by-fours and studs.

Storm Debris

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, as long as the items do not 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

Refrigerators 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

Hot water tanks are 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.

Tires

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 out this tire recycling database to find a tire recycler in your area.

Paint Cans & Lacquers

Paints and lacquers are prohibited because they can contain lead or mercury, especially if they were manufactured before 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

Adhesives like 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

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, AAA and D, are allowed in a dumpster.

Medical Infectious Waste

Infectious waste includes materials that have been used in medicine or 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

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 & Absorbents

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.

Household Cleaners

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

Ink & Resins

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.

Oils, Fuels & Propane Tanks

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.

Railroad Ties

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

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