Not all trash is created equal. It is important to know what is and what is not allowed to be put in a dumpster for your home construction projects and household cleaning jobs.
Are you unsure of what you can put in your dumpster rental? Blake Waste is here to answer all of your waste disposal questions so you can properly dispose of construction debris, household junk, and any other materials you need to get rid of.
What Is Allowed In My Dumpster?
It is important to ensure proper disposal of waste items that you throw in a dumpster. Understanding what is allowed in your dumpster rental can help determine what kind of roll-off dumpster rental you will need.
Most nonhazardous waste is generally accepted at most landfills. Here are some of the most common waste materials that can easily be disposed of in your dumpster rental:
- Construction and demolition debris
- Household trash
- Yard waste
- Food waste
- Organic waste/green waste
- Wooden, non-upholstered furniture
- Electronic devices/e-waste
- Alkaline batteries
- EMPTY aerosol cans
- Roofing shingles
Yard Waste
While items from nature are not necessarily considered "waste," they can certainly fill up our yards and make them look unsightly. If you are doing a yard work cleanup, and have a lot of leaves, sticks, or branches that you need to get rid of, it is absolutely okay to dispose of them in your dumpster rental.
Large items like tree stumps are sometimes acceptable to put in a dumpster, but it is best to check with your dumpster rental provider when it comes to safely disposing of heavy yard waste items like stumps.
Food Waste
Green waste refers to organic, biodegradable materials grown in nature that can be composted. Green waste can be put into a dumpster for disposal, as can other food waste items you might normally dispose of in your household trash. There are alternatives to putting green waste and food waste in a dumpster, such as recycling, composting or donating items to a local food shelter.
We understand the convenience that a dumpster rental provides, and these food waste items can be disposed of in our rentals for disposal at a local landfill:
- Bones
- Bread and grains
- Coffee grounds
- Dairy products
- Eggshells
- Fruits and vegetables
- Poultry and meat
- Fish and seafood
- Plant trimmings
A good rule to follow is that if it is compostable and generally accepted in your household trash, you can dispose of food waste in a dumpster.
Furniture Items and Mattresses
Tables, chairs, bookcases, and other wooden furniture are commonly thrown in a dumpster. Upholstered furniture is sometimes accepted at landfills, but not always. If your furniture item is made of untreated wood, you can dispose of it in a rental dumpster without hesitation.
When it comes to upholstered furniture, mattresses, and box springs, local landfills may require additional fees in order to dispose of them in a dumpster.
Construction And Home Improvement Debris
If not put in a dumpster, how would you ever be able to clean up your home after a major construction project or home improvement job? Luckily, when it comes to construction debris you can put it in a dumpster as long none of the materials have been treated with hazardous materials.
Commonly disposed of construction debris items are:
- Lumber
- Tiles
- Drywall
- Flooring
- Siding
- Cabinetry and countertops
- Bathroom fixtures
- Roofing shingles
Because certain types of paint can be hazardous and dangerous to dispose of in a landfill, be sure that any treated walls with lead paint are disposed of following federal and local guidelines.
What Can Sometimes Be Put In A Rental Dumpster
If you are uncertain as to whether something can go into your dumpster rental for disposal at a local landfill, contact our local waste management office. If you need to get rid of something that cannot go in a dumpster, we can offer alternative solutions by recommending a local recycler or offering resources for the proper disposal of a particular item or material.
There are some materials that can safely go into a dumpster but may require additional handling procedures, larger dumpsters sized to hold heavy items or additional fees for their removal.
Bricks, Asphalt, And Concrete
Even though most construction debris and building materials can usually go into a dumpster, items like bricks, asphalt, and concrete are exceptionally heavy. When it comes to heavy debris, you will need a specially reinforced roll-off dumpster that can handle the weight of these heavy materials.
Barrels Or Drums Larger Than 30 Gallons
Old barrels and drums that previously held liquids should be completely empty before disposal. If hazardous fluids were once in the drum, there can be a risk to people handling the load at the dump and to the environment if they are not completely emptied. Because of this, barrels or drums larger than 30 gallons should be cut in half prior to disposal as this ensures trash handlers these items are empty, safe, and non-hazardous.
Some Electronics
Most counties in North Carolina offer electronic collection services at drop-off locations, but if you have a small amount of e-waste or just a few electronics to toss, these items can oftentimes be put into a dumpster.
Televisions, printers, and computers are electronics that are accepted in dumpsters but may require additional fees to offload at the landfill. When it comes to e-waste like old cellphones or tablets, if you are unable to recycle or donate them, they can be put into a dumpster in small quantities.
Some Appliances
Some appliances like old dishwashers, refrigerators, and AC units can be put in a dumpster as long as any freon liquid or other hazardous liquids are removed prior. In order to safely do this, contact a professional HVAC or appliance specialist or call our waste management office for recommendations on who can best remove the refrigerant liquid before disposal.
What CAN'T Go In A Dumpster?
Due to Federal guidelines and local regulations set by your state or town, knowing what can be thrown in a dumpster can be confusing. Some items you may think are harmless are not accepted at local landfill sites, and other items that you may overlook as dangerous are outright hazardous to people and the environment.
Hazardous Materials
The government has strict regulations when transporting hazardous materials. Any household item labeled with the hazardous symbol must be taken seriously to avoid risk during disposal.
Items that are considered hazardous and therefore dangerous to put in your dumpster rental are:
- Asbestos
- Pesticides
- Contaminated soils
- Absorbents
- Motor oil
- Other automotive fluids
- Medical waste
- Flammable materials
- Wet paint
- Harmful gases
- Explosives
- Corrosives
If you are uncertain what is considered hazardous or how to dispose of these liquids or materials properly, contact us for safe and efficient recommendations.
Liquid Paint, Stains, and Lacquer
Solidified latex paint can be put into a dumpster, but no other types of paint or wet paint of any kind should ever be disposed of in your dumpster rental. Paint, paint thinner, lacquers, and wood stains should be handled with proper recycling methods.
Lead-Based Paints
The dust and debris from lead-based paints can be toxic and jeopardize your health. Because of this, landfills will not accept lead paint disposal.
Tires
The rubber that tires are made of is known to trap gases and take a long time to decompose. Most landfill sites do not accept tires for these reasons; therefore, you cannot throw them into your dumpster rental.
Propane Tanks
Propane tanks, even empty ones that may have some residue left over, are highly flammable and hazardous. To dispose of these properly, it is best to contact your local fire department, a propane company, or a hazardous materials collection center in order to avoid safety hazards.
Fuel, Oil, And Freon
Much like the propane tanks, the fuels, oils, and freon liquid are considered highly flammable, hazardous waste. Hazardous substances like oils and fuels need to be disposed of in ordinances with local and state regulations.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a flame-retardant carcinogen and is banned from most U.S. landfills. Asbestos must be professionally removed from your home. If you put asbestos-infected materials into a dumpster, it will further infect other materials it comes into contact with, creating a larger, less manageable problem.
Contaminated Soil
Contaminated soil includes dangerous chemicals that are dangerous to humans and the environment. Per federal superfund guidelines, these substances must be disposed of properly to avoid a serious safety risk.
Prohibited items should NOT be loaded into dumpsters and require special handling. These items can be disposed of by us under special arrangements, so please contact us for proper disposal of your prohibited items.
Contact Blake Waste For All Your Dumpster Rental Needs
Serving Raleigh, NC, and the surrounding areas, Blake Waste has the solution to all of your roll-off dumpster rental needs!
Our professional and knowledgeable waste management experts are happy to answer any questions you have about the proper disposal of your household junk or other items. We will recommend the best-sized dumpster for your residential or commercial projects. Call us today at 919-271-8675 or fill out the form below for your free quote for waste disposal services!