What Can You Put in a Dumpster?
Ever wondered what you can put in a rented dumpster? Garbage, right? Well, most garbage, but some items are illegal to dispose of in dumpsters. You could end up violating your contract with the dumpster rental company, and get additional fines added to your rental bill.
Read on to learn what Oaks Dumpster Rental has to say about what’s acceptable to throw in a dumpster — and what’s not.
Why Does Waste Management Matter?
Proper waste management is critical when you’re throwing away a large amount of garbage and debris. Local and federal governments regulate materials that can be disposed of in a dumpster to best protect the people and the environment. Because of this, dumpster rental companies have strict guidelines to what can and can’t be thrown away in bins. Improper disposal can lead to environmental hazards and hefty fines- adding to your overall rental cost.
What You Can Put in a Dumpster
For the most part, anything that is deemed non-hazardous can be thrown in a dumpster. We’ve put together a list of materials that are generally allowed. If you have any questions or are unsure if you can dispose of a specific material, contact your dumpster rental company for more information.
Construction & Home Improvement Waste
Generally most construction and home renovation waste can be put in a dumpster. This includes:
- Roofing shingles
- Bricks
- Cabinets
- Concrete
- Countertops
- Drywall
- Flooring
- Lumber
- Siding
Keep in mind that there are weight restrictions on some rentals, and especially heavy loads may incur additional fees. This type of waste can often be heavier, so make sure you’re abiding by your dumpster weight limits.
Appliances
As long as you drain all hazardous fluids from appliances, they may be disposed of in a dumpster. This includes AC units, refrigerators, ovens, dryers and washers. Because appliances tend to be heavier, consider donating these items instead of throwing them away. If they’re still in working condition, they can be fixed up and reused.
Household Junk
Household waste can be defined as any disposable materials that are generated by households. Anything deemed non-hazardous household waste can be put in a dumpster. This can include a variety of items, including food containers, kitchen waste, blankets and towels, toys and more. The EPA defines household hazardous waste as “toxic, corrosive, ignitable, or reactive”, so as long as the items you’re disposing of don’t fall under these terms, you are free to throw them in a dumpster.
Yard Waste
Tree branches, leaves, brush, and other natural yard waste is fine to throw in your dumpster. While you can throw away dirt, you need to make sure the soil is not contaminated with any hazardous substances, as this will violate environmental laws.
What You Can’t Put in a Dumpster
Waste that is deemed hazardous to humans and the environment is prohibited in dumpsters. We’ll walk through some of the most common materials you can’t throw in a dumpster.
Asbestos Containing Materials
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is extremely toxic. Prior to the 1980s, it was used in a wide variety of home building materials, such as insulation, vinyl products, tiles and automotive products. Any home material that contains asbestos must be disposed of by a professional asbestos contractor, not put in a dumpster with other debris. If your home was built before 1980, make sure to have areas in your home tested for asbestos before beginning any renovation work or throwing construction materials in a dumpster.
Electronics
25 states have electronics recycling legislation prohibiting this type of waste to be disposed of in landfills, including New York and Pennsylvania. Research your local area to find where you can properly recycle and dispose of old electronics so it doesn’t end up in a landfill.
Hazardous Materials
Hazardous materials include things like pesticides, freon, motor oil, auto fluids, batteries, inks and resins, and fluorescent bulbs. These cannot be disposed of safely in a dumpster. Before you throw anything away in a dumpster, make sure they’re considered non-hazardous. Contact your local government or state EPA office to find out where to drop off hazardous wastes.
Hot Water Tanks
Empty hot water tanks can collect gasses inside and potentially explode in a dumpster or landfill. If you are replacing your hot water tank, ask the company installing a new one if they offer disposal services for the old one.
Gas
Highly combustible materials such as gas, oil, propane tanks, or other fuel may not be put in a dumpster. This is a significant safety risk and is illegal in most areas. Contact your fire department for information on proper tank disposal.
Tires
The hollow at the center of a tire can trap methane gas when a tire is placed in a landfill. This can cause serious damage to the liner of the landfill, so these are not to be disposed of in dumpsters. Bring tires to your local auto parts store for disposal.
Still Not Sure?
If you are unsure if something is acceptable and safe to discard in a dumpster, contact Oaks Dumpster Rental at 866.649.OAKS to speak with an expert. We can help you find the right sized bin and understand what materials you can discard in our dumpsters.