What Can You Throw in a Dumpster? Complete List (2025 Rules)

Quick Answer: You can throw most household junk, construction debris, furniture, appliances (without freon), yard waste, and renovation materials in a dumpster. You CANNOT throw hazardous waste, chemicals, tires, batteries, electronics (in most places), or anything liquid. Breaking these rules costs $100-$500+ in contamination fees.

Table of Contents

• The Golden Rule of Dumpster Disposal
• YES – What You Can Throw Away
• NO – What’s Prohibited (and Why)
• Maybe – Items That Depend on Your Company
• How to Dispose of Banned Items
• What Happens If You Break the Rules
• Special Rules by Material Type
• FAQ

The Golden Rule of Dumpster Disposal

Here’s the simple version: If it’s flammable, explosive, toxic, or liquid, it doesn’t go in the dumpster. Everything else is probably fine, but there are exceptions that’ll bite you if you’re not careful.

Rental companies don’t make these rules to be difficult. They make them because:
1. Landfills reject loads with prohibited items (and charge the rental company)
2. Some materials are illegal to landfill under federal/state law
3. Hazardous items can injure workers or damage equipment
4. Certain items require special recycling facilities

When a dumpster arrives contaminated with prohibited materials, the rental company eats a $500-$2,000 rejection fee from the landfill. Guess who they pass that to? Yeah, you.

Insider Tip: Take photos of your dumpster when it’s delivered (showing it’s empty) and before pickup (showing your loaded contents). If there’s ever a dispute about prohibited items, you have proof.

YES – What You Can Throw Away

General Household Junk

Basically all the normal stuff from living in a house:

• Furniture (couches, chairs, tables, mattresses)
• Clothing and textiles
• Books, papers, cardboard
• Toys and sports equipment
• Dishes, pots, pans
• Curtains, blinds, rugs
• Small appliances (toasters, microwaves, coffee makers)
• Lamps and light fixtures (remove bulbs first)
• Pictures and frames
• General trash and garbage bags

Real talk: Mattresses and sofas take up a ton of space. Break them down if you can. Slice the mattress fabric and pull out the foam and springs—it compresses way better.

Construction and Demolition Debris

This is what dumpsters were made for:

• Drywall and sheetrock
• Wood (lumber, plywood, 2x4s, pallets)
• Flooring (hardwood, laminate, vinyl, linoleum)
• Carpet and padding
• Tile and grout
• Cabinets and countertops
• Doors and windows
• Siding (wood, vinyl, aluminum)
• Roofing shingles (asphalt only, usually)
• Decking materials
• Insulation (fiberglass, foam board)
• Trim and molding
• Nails, screws, small metal pieces

Watch out: Some materials are accepted but heavy. A 20-yard dumpster filled with concrete or brick will max out the weight limit at about 1/3 full. Check our weight limits guide before loading heavy materials.

Yard Waste and Landscaping

• Grass clippings
• Leaves and pine needles
• Branches and tree limbs (under 4-6 inches diameter typically)
• Bushes and shrubs
• Sod and dirt (limited amounts)
• Mulch and wood chips
• Plant debris
• Small tree stumps (some companies)

Most companies are fine with yard waste mixed with other debris. Some prefer you separate it. Ask upfront if you’re doing a major landscaping project.

Insider Tip: Dirt and sod are surprisingly heavy. A full dumpster of dirt weighs 2-3x more than construction debris. Many companies have a “no dirt” policy or charge extra. Always ask first.

Appliances (With Conditions)

• Washers and dryers
• Dishwashers
• Stoves and ovens
• Water heaters
• Non-freon appliances

The freon exception: Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners contain freon (refrigerant). Most dumpster companies won’t take them. Some will for an extra fee ($25-$75) if you get the freon professionally removed first.

Metal and Scrap

• Steel and iron
• Aluminum (siding, window frames)
• Copper pipes (lucky you—save these and sell them)
• Brass fixtures
• Metal furniture
• Wire and cables
• Chain link fencing
• Metal roofing
• Gutters and downspouts

Fun fact: Rental companies often pull out scrap metal and sell it. That’s fine. But if you have a lot of copper or aluminum, you might make more selling it yourself to a scrap yard.

Concrete, Brick, and Masonry (Usually)

• Concrete (slabs, blocks, chunks)
• Brick and cinder blocks
• Asphalt (from driveways)
• Stone and rock
• Ceramic fixtures (toilets, sinks)
• Porcelain

These are typically allowed BUT most companies require them in a separate “heavy debris” dumpster. Why? A 30-yard dumpster filled with concrete weighs 15+ tons. The weight limit is usually 5 tons. The math doesn’t work.

Do this instead: Ask about heavy debris pricing. It’s often a smaller dumpster (10-15 yards) with a higher weight limit (5-10 tons) at a lower price. Way better deal for concrete and masonry.

NO – What’s Prohibited (and Why)

Hazardous Waste (100% Banned)

These are illegal to landfill under EPA regulations:

• Paint (liquid)—dried paint cans are usually OK
• Chemicals (cleaners, solvents, pool chemicals)
• Pesticides and herbicides
• Motor oil (used or new)
• Gasoline, diesel, kerosene
• Antifreeze
• Propane tanks
• Helium tanks
• Ammunition and explosives
• Asbestos (requires special certified removal)
• Medical waste (needles, syringes, biohazards)
• Industrial waste

Why banned: These contaminate groundwater, start fires, explode, or poison landfill workers. Getting caught with hazardous waste in your dumpster = instant $250-$500 contamination fee, minimum.

Automotive Items

• Car batteries
• Tires (any size)
• Large auto parts (engines, transmissions)
• Oil filters
• Brake fluid

Why banned: Car batteries contain lead and acid. Tires are banned from landfills in most states because they trap methane gas and become fire hazards. Auto parts often have oil and chemicals.

Electronics (E-Waste)

• Televisions (tube and flat-screen)
• Computer monitors
• Desktop computers
• Laptops and tablets
• Printers and copiers
• Cell phones
• Stereo equipment

Why banned: Electronics contain heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium) and valuable materials that should be recycled. Many states have specific e-waste laws prohibiting landfill disposal.

The gray area: Some rural companies still accept e-waste. But most don’t. And even if they say yes, it’s often illegal under state law. Don’t risk it.

Batteries (All Types)

• Car batteries (lead-acid)
• Rechargeable batteries (lithium-ion)
• Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, etc.)
• Button cell batteries

Small alkaline batteries (like AAs) are technically OK in some places, but lithium batteries? Those cause dumpster fires. Not kidding. They overheat, ignite, and the whole dumpster goes up.

Liquids and Wet Materials

• Any liquids in containers
• Wet paint
• Liquid adhesives
• Food waste (large amounts)
• Sewage or septic waste

Landfills are designed for solid waste. Liquids leak, contaminate, and make the whole load unstable during transport.

Railroad Ties and Telephone Poles

These are soaked in creosote (a toxic preservative). Banned from most landfills. Some companies accept them for a premium fee, but most don’t touch them.

Stumps (Often Banned)

Tree stumps larger than 12-18 inches in diameter are typically prohibited. They’re too hard on landfill equipment. Smaller stumps are sometimes OK. Ask first.

Maybe – Items That Depend on Your Company

These vary wildly by company, location, and local landfill rules:

Appliances With Freon

• Some companies: Accept with freon removal certificate ($25-$75 fee)
• Most companies: No way, take it to a scrap yard
• Best approach: Ask before the fridge goes in

Mattresses

• Some areas: Extra fee ($20-$50 each) due to recycling laws
• Some areas: Totally fine, no extra charge
• Some areas: Banned entirely

California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island have mattress recycling laws that complicate disposal. Always ask.

Electronics

• Strict states (CA, NY, etc.): Absolutely not
• Rural areas: Sometimes accepted
• Rental company policy: Most say no regardless of local law

Shingles

• Asphalt shingles: Almost always accepted
• Wood shingles: Usually fine
• Slate/tile/metal roofing: Often needs separate dumpster due to weight

Dirt and Soil

• Clean fill dirt: Sometimes accepted in limited amounts
• Contaminated soil: Never
• Large amounts: Usually requires a separate “inert debris” dumpster

Cardboard

• Some companies: Want it separated for recycling
• Most companies: Fine mixed with general debris
• Lots of cardboard: Break it down flat or it eats up half your space

Insider Tip: Rules vary more by region than by company. California has strictest rules. Texas and rural Midwest tend to be most lenient. When in doubt, ask your specific rental company—don’t assume based on what worked in another state.

How to Dispose of Banned Items

Hazardous Waste

Option 1: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Events
Most counties run free HHW collection days 2-4 times per year. They accept paint, chemicals, batteries, oil, and more.

Option 2: Retail Take-Back Programs

• Paint: Many paint stores accept unused paint
• Batteries: Home Depot, Lowe’s, Best Buy have battery recycling bins
• Motor oil: Auto parts stores (AutoZone, O’Reilly) accept used oil for free

Option 3: Specialized Disposal Facilities
Search “hazardous waste disposal near me.” Some charge $5-$20 per item, but it’s better than a $500 contamination fee.

Dry out paint: Half-full paint cans? Mix in cat litter or sawdust, let it harden, then toss the dried can. Totally legal.

Electronics (E-Waste)

• Best Buy: Free e-waste recycling (limit 3 items per day)
• Staples: Accepts most electronics, some for a fee
• Local e-waste recyclers: Often free for drop-off
• Manufacturer take-back: Apple, Dell, HP have mail-in programs
• Community e-waste events: Often free, check your city website

Tires

• Tire shops: Usually accept for $2-$5 per tire
• Municipal waste facilities: Some take tires for a small fee
• Scrap yards: Occasionally accept for free
• Recycling centers: Specialize in tire recycling

I’ve seen people try to hide tires under construction debris. Don’t. Landfills check loads, and you WILL get hit with a fee.

Car Batteries

• Auto parts stores: They’ll take your old battery for free (or give you a $5-$10 credit)
• Scrap metal yards: Pay $5-$15 per battery
• Mechanics: Usually accept them

Car batteries are easy to recycle. There’s zero reason to sneak one into a dumpster.

Appliances With Freon

• Scrap metal yards: Most accept and remove freon for free
• Utility company programs: Many offer free appliance pickup
• Appliance retailers: Some remove old appliances when delivering new ones
• Junk removal services: Will haul fridges for $75-$150

Mattresses

• Mattress recycling facilities: $20-$40 each typically
• Donation: If in decent shape, Goodwill or Salvation Army might take it
• Bulk trash pickup: Some cities offer free curbside mattress pickup
• Retailer removal: Mattress stores often haul away old ones with new purchase

Stumps

• Stump grinding services: $75-$150 per stump
• Bulk yard waste: Some cities accept stumps seasonally
• Specialty dumpsters: A few companies rent stump-specific containers
• DIY: Drill holes, add stump remover, wait 6 weeks, burn it (where legal)

What Happens If You Break the Rules

Scenario 1: Rental Company Catches It

If the driver sees prohibited items before pickup, they’ll refuse the load until you remove them. You’ll pay for extra rental days while you scramble to dispose of the items properly.

Scenario 2: Landfill Catches It

The landfill inspects loads. If they find prohibited materials:
1. They reject the entire load
2. Rental company gets charged $500-$2,000 rejection fee
3. That fee goes on your bill, plus markup
4. Your dumpster comes back to your property, still full
5. You remove the offending items
6. Company picks it up again, sometimes for another trip charge

I’ve seen a single can of paint cost someone $750 in fees and hassle.

Scenario 3: Environmental Violation

Hazardous waste violations can trigger EPA fines:

• Minor violations: $500-$5,000
• Serious violations: $10,000-$50,000
• Criminal violations: Jail time (rare, but possible for egregious cases)

Nobody’s going to jail for a quart of old motor oil. But a contractor dumping 50 gallons of chemicals? That’s a different story.

Scenario 4: Fire or Explosion

Lithium batteries, propane tanks, and flammable liquids have caused dumpster fires and explosions. If traced back to you:

• Liability for damage to property, vehicles, people
• Criminal charges for negligence
• Lawsuit from rental company for equipment damage

Not worth the risk to avoid driving to a proper disposal site.

Insider Tip: If you accidentally put something prohibited in the dumpster and realize it later, CALL THE COMPANY. Tell them before pickup. They’ll either let you remove it or work with you. Way better than surprise fees.

Special Rules by Material Type

Paint

• Wet paint: Never
• Dried paint cans: Usually OK
• Empty cans (dry, no residue): Always OK
• To dry paint: Leave can open for a week, or add kitty litter

Wood

• Treated lumber: Usually OK, but some companies/landfills prohibit it
• Painted/stained wood: Fine
• Plywood and OSB: Fine
• Railroad ties: Prohibited (creosote treatment)
• Pallets: Fine, but break them down

Roofing Materials

• Asphalt shingles: Almost always accepted (but heavy—watch weight limits)
• Wood shakes: Usually fine
• Metal roofing: Fine (some companies want it separated)
• Slate/tile: Accepted but count it as heavy debris
• Tar paper/felt: Fine

Check out our roofing project guide for more on disposing of roof materials.

Insulation

• Fiberglass batts: Fine
• Foam board: Fine
• Spray foam: Usually fine
• Asbestos insulation: NEVER—requires certified asbestos abatement

If your home was built before 1980 and you’re removing insulation, get it tested first. Asbestos violations are no joke.

Flooring

• Hardwood: Fine
• Laminate: Fine
• Vinyl/linoleum: Usually fine (asbestos concern in very old flooring)
• Carpet and pad: Fine
• Tile: Fine (heavy, watch weight)

Drywall

Regular drywall is fine. Break large pieces into smaller chunks so it stacks better.

Lead paint warning: Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint under the surface. Technically, lead-painted drywall requires special disposal in some states. Enforcement is inconsistent, but be aware.

Tips to Avoid Problems

Tip 1: Ask Before, Not After

When booking your dumpster, specifically list any questionable items. “I have a fridge, half a can of deck stain, and some old electronics. What can I do?” Better to know upfront than deal with surprise fees.

Tip 2: Separate the Maybes

Put questionable items aside. Load the obvious stuff first. If you’re not 100% sure something’s allowed, call and ask before tossing it in.

Tip 3: Read Your Rental Agreement

Boring, but important. The prohibited items list is in there, usually in tiny print. Five minutes of reading can save you $500.

Tip 4: Use Common Sense

If it seems like something that shouldn’t go in a landfill, it probably shouldn’t. Trust your instinct.

Tip 5: Plan for Banned Items BEFORE Your Rental Period

Don’t wait until the dumpster arrives to figure out what to do with your paint cans and old batteries. Handle those first. Otherwise, you’re burning rental days while figuring out alternatives.

Get a Free Quote

Ready to book a dumpster? Get a free quote and ask about their specific prohibited items list. Every company’s a little different, and local landfill rules vary. Better to know exactly what you can toss before the dumpster shows up.

FAQ

Can I throw away furniture?

Yes, all furniture is fine—couches, mattresses, tables, chairs, dressers, everything. Mattresses might have an extra fee in some states ($20-$50 each), but they’re not prohibited. Break down large pieces if possible to save space.

What do I do with paint cans?

Liquid paint is prohibited. Dried paint cans are fine. To dry out paint, leave the can open for a week or mix in cat litter or sawdust. Once it’s solid, toss it in. Totally empty cans (no residue) can go in any time.

Are refrigerators allowed in dumpsters?

Usually no, or only with an extra fee ($25-$75) and proof of freon removal. Most rental companies won’t take them. Your best bet is a scrap metal yard (often free) or your utility company’s appliance recycling program. Washers, dryers, dishwashers, and stoves are fine though.

Can I put dirt and concrete in the same dumpster?

Technically yes, but it’s a bad idea. Both are extremely heavy and you’ll max out the weight limit fast. Most companies prefer you rent a separate “heavy debris” dumpster—it’s cheaper per ton and has higher weight capacity. Mixing heavy and light materials wastes the capacity of your main dumpster.

What happens if someone else throws prohibited items in my dumpster?

You’re responsible for everything in your dumpster until pickup. If a neighbor tosses in a car battery, you eat the contamination fee. This is why people sometimes lock dumpsters overnight (you can buy a simple cable lock for $15). Take photos when it’s delivered empty and before pickup to document what you loaded.

Get the Right Dumpster for Your Debris

Different projects need different sizes. Check our dumpster size guide to match your project with the right container. And see our cost guide to budget properly based on what you’re throwing away.