What Can I Throw Away?

Cardboard boxes, packaging, and corrugated materials are universally accepted in dumpsters. Break down boxes flat to maximize space and avoid overage charges. Most haulers welcome large quantities from moves or renovations.

Old clothing, linens, curtains, and fabric items are accepted in most dumpsters. Bag them to keep them from blowing around. Large cleanout jobs often generate bags of textiles alongside other debris.

Window glass, mirrors, and glassware can go in a dumpster. Broken glass should be handled carefully and wrapped or boxed to prevent injuries. Most haulers accept glass without issue as part of general debris.

Most scrap metal is accepted in dumpsters, including steel, aluminum, copper piping, and sheet metal. Metal is heavy, so it can add up quickly toward weight limits. Small amounts mixed with other debris are no problem.

Books, magazines, newspapers, and paper products are accepted in dumpsters. Paper is relatively lightweight but can absorb water and become extremely heavy if exposed to rain. Keep paper dry when possible.

Mattresses are accepted in most roll-off dumpsters. They are bulky and take up significant space, so plan accordingly. A single king mattress can occupy roughly 1-2 cubic yards of dumpster space.

Rolled carpet and carpet padding are accepted in dumpsters. Carpet is heavy, especially when wet, and can fill space quickly. Cut it into manageable rolls (4-foot sections) for easier handling.

Plastic toys, storage bins, lawn furniture, and other plastic household items are accepted in dumpsters. They are lightweight but bulky. Break down large items when possible to save space.

Plates, bowls, mugs, ceramic tiles, and pottery are all accepted in dumpsters. These items are heavy for their size but perfectly fine to dispose of. Wrap broken pieces to prevent cuts.

Bagged household garbage, non-hazardous cleaning supplies, and miscellaneous junk are accepted in dumpsters. This includes everything from old decor to broken small items. Bag loose debris to keep the dumpster tidy.

Drywall and sheetrock are accepted in most dumpsters. They are moderately heavy and can create a lot of dust. Some landfills charge extra for drywall due to sulfur content, so check locally.

Concrete is extremely heavy and most haulers restrict it to specific heavy-debris dumpsters or limit quantities. A standard dumpster can hit its weight limit quickly with concrete. Always disclose concrete when ordering.

Bricks are very heavy and typically require a heavy-debris dumpster or have strict weight limits. Most haulers need advance notice to prepare the right truck. Mixing bricks with light debris often triggers overage fees.

Rocks, gravel, and stone are accepted in heavy-debris dumpsters but not standard ones. Like concrete, these materials are extremely dense. A 10-yard dumpster of rocks can weigh 10+ tons.

Clean fill dirt requires a heavy-debris dumpster. Contaminated soil (with chemicals, fuel, or debris) may be classified as hazardous. Wet dirt is dramatically heavier than dry dirt — a critical factor for weight limits.

Asphalt shingles are accepted in most dumpsters but are very heavy. A single square (100 sq ft) of shingles weighs 200-350 lbs. Most roofing jobs need a 20 or 30-yard dumpster and will approach weight limits.

Untreated lumber, plywood, OSB, and wood scraps are accepted in dumpsters. Treated lumber (green-tinted, CCA-treated) is also generally accepted but cannot be burned. Nail-embedded wood is fine for dumpsters.

Fiberglass insulation (pink or yellow batts) is accepted in dumpsters. It is extremely bulky but lightweight. Bag it in heavy-duty trash bags to compress it and prevent fibers from scattering.

Ceramic and porcelain tile, including the thinset mortar underneath, is accepted in dumpsters. Tile is heavy for its size. A bathroom's worth of tile can weigh several hundred pounds including the backer board.

Vinyl plank, sheet vinyl, and laminate flooring are accepted in dumpsters. These materials are lightweight and easy to handle. Old vinyl flooring from before the 1980s may contain asbestos — test before disturbing it.

Old windows including frames, glass, and hardware are accepted in dumpsters. Handle carefully to avoid broken glass injuries. Wrap or tape cracked panes before loading.

Kitchen and bathroom cabinets are accepted in dumpsters. They are bulky but relatively lightweight. Demolish them with a pry bar and sledgehammer to break them into flat pieces that stack efficiently.

Vinyl siding, wood siding, and aluminum siding are accepted in dumpsters. Siding is lightweight and can be stacked flat. Long pieces should be cut down to fit within the dumpster dimensions.

Dried joint compound, plaster, and stucco debris are accepted in dumpsters. These materials are moderately heavy. Old plaster walls from pre-1970s homes may contain asbestos and should be tested first.

Tree branches, brush, and small limbs are accepted in most dumpsters. Cut branches to fit inside the container — nothing should extend above the rim. Some haulers offer yard-waste-only dumpsters at lower rates.

Sod is accepted but extremely heavy when wet. A pallet of sod can weigh over a ton. Most haulers classify sod with heavy materials and may restrict quantities or require a special dumpster.

Leaves, grass clippings, and general yard debris are accepted in dumpsters. Bag loose material to prevent it from blowing away. Yard waste is typically light, making it efficient for dumpster use.

Tree stumps are heavy and awkward. Small stumps may be accepted in dumpsters, but large stumps often exceed weight limits. Some haulers prohibit stumps entirely due to the difficulty of processing them at landfills.

Old mulch and wood chips are accepted in dumpsters. They are relatively lightweight when dry. Wet mulch is significantly heavier and can create odor issues if it sits in the dumpster for extended periods.

Wood fencing, metal chain-link, and fence posts are accepted in dumpsters. Cut long sections to fit inside the container. Remove concrete footings from posts and dispose of concrete separately if needed.

Refrigerators and freezers contain refrigerant (Freon) that must be professionally removed before disposal. Most haulers will not accept a fridge unless it has been drained by a certified technician and you can provide documentation.

Washing machines and dryers are accepted in most dumpsters. They are heavy (150-250 lbs each) but contain no hazardous materials. Disconnect water lines and gas lines (for gas dryers) before removal.

Dishwashers are accepted in dumpsters. They weigh 60-150 lbs and are straightforward to dispose of. Disconnect water and power lines before removal. No hazardous materials are present.

Water heaters (electric and gas) are accepted in most dumpsters. They are heavy (100-150 lbs) and tall. Drain the tank before transport to avoid water damage and reduce weight significantly.

Electric and gas stoves are accepted in dumpsters. Gas stoves should have the gas line properly capped before disposal. These units are heavy (130-250 lbs) but contain no hazardous materials.

Microwaves are accepted in dumpsters. They are relatively lightweight (30-60 lbs) and easy to handle. The small amount of electronic components inside does not classify them as e-waste in most jurisdictions.

Window AC units contain refrigerant that must be recovered by a certified technician before disposal. Like refrigerators, most haulers require proof of refrigerant removal before accepting AC units.

Couches and sofas are accepted in dumpsters. They are extremely bulky and can fill a significant portion of a 10-yard container. Remove cushions and, if possible, cut the frame apart to save space.

Desks of all types — wood, metal, or composite — are accepted in dumpsters. They are bulky but manageable. Disassemble them when possible to stack components flat and save space.

Tables of all sizes are accepted in dumpsters. Remove or fold legs to make them stackable. Glass tabletops should be handled carefully and wrapped to prevent breakage.

Bookshelves, wire shelving, and storage units are accepted in dumpsters. Disassemble modular units to save space. Particleboard shelving breaks apart easily with a pry bar.

Metal and wood bed frames are accepted in dumpsters. Disassemble them to save space. Metal bed frames have scrap value if you want to separate them out.

Dressers and chests are accepted in dumpsters. Remove drawers before loading — it makes the piece lighter and the drawers can be nested or stacked separately to save space.

Office chairs are accepted in dumpsters. The gas cylinder can make them awkward to stack. Remove the base and wheels if possible to create a flatter profile.

Outdoor tables, chairs, umbrellas, and cushions are accepted in dumpsters. Metal patio furniture has scrap value. Plastic furniture can be broken down to save space.

TVs are classified as e-waste and are prohibited from dumpsters in most states. CRT TVs contain lead, and flat screens contain mercury. Proper recycling is required by law in many jurisdictions.

Computers and laptops are classified as e-waste and are prohibited from dumpster disposal. They contain heavy metals and hazardous materials. Many states have specific laws mandating electronic waste recycling.

Printers and scanners are e-waste and should not go in dumpsters. Ink cartridges contain chemicals that can contaminate soil. Remove cartridges and recycle them separately.

Cell phones and tablets contain lithium-ion batteries and rare earth metals. They are prohibited from dumpsters and should never be placed in regular trash. Many have trade-in value even when broken.

Small household electronics like toasters, blenders, coffee makers, and fans are generally accepted in dumpsters. They do not contain significant hazardous materials and are treated as general waste in most areas.

Liquid paint is prohibited from dumpsters. Oil-based paint is classified as hazardous waste. Latex paint must be dried out before disposal. Never pour paint down drains or into dumpsters in liquid form.

Batteries of all types — alkaline, lithium-ion, lead-acid, and rechargeable — are prohibited from dumpsters. They can cause fires, leak acid, and contaminate landfills. Lithium-ion batteries are especially dangerous.

Tires are universally prohibited from dumpsters and landfills in most states. They trap methane gas, breed mosquitoes, and are nearly impossible to compact. Separate disposal is required by law.

Motor oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and antifreeze are hazardous waste and strictly prohibited from dumpsters. A single quart of oil can contaminate 250,000 gallons of water.

Propane tanks are prohibited from dumpsters due to explosion risk. Even "empty" tanks contain residual gas. This includes small camping canisters and full-size grill tanks.

Household chemicals, solvents, pesticides, herbicides, and cleaning agents in liquid form are prohibited from dumpsters. They can react with other materials, cause fires, or contaminate groundwater at landfills.

Fluorescent tubes and CFL bulbs contain mercury and are prohibited from dumpster disposal. Broken bulbs release mercury vapor. Handle carefully and store in original packaging when possible.

Asbestos-containing materials are strictly prohibited from dumpsters and require licensed professional removal. Common sources include old floor tiles, insulation, siding, and pipe wrap. Disturbing asbestos releases carcinogenic fibers.

Needles, syringes, medical devices, and biohazard materials are prohibited from dumpsters. They pose serious health risks to hauler workers and landfill employees. Special containers and disposal methods are required.

Gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and other fuels are extremely flammable and strictly prohibited from dumpsters. Even residual fuel in containers poses fire and explosion risks during transport and at landfills.

Ammunition, firearms, and explosives are strictly prohibited from dumpsters. Ammunition can discharge from heat or impact during compaction. Firearms disposal has additional legal requirements.

Treadmills, weight benches, ellipticals, and other exercise equipment are accepted in dumpsters. They are heavy and bulky. Disassemble what you can — many machines break down into manageable pieces.

Hot tubs can go in dumpsters but must be cut apart first. A whole hot tub will not fit and is too heavy to lift. Use a reciprocating saw to cut the shell into pieces. Drain completely first.

Pianos are accepted in dumpsters but are extremely heavy (300-1,000+ lbs). Upright pianos must usually be disassembled to load. Grand pianos almost always require professional removal due to weight and size.

Pool tables are accepted but require disassembly. The slate alone weighs 400-800 lbs and is classified as heavy material. Rails, felt, and the wooden frame go in a standard dumpster. The slate may need a heavy-debris container.

Food waste and kitchen scraps are technically accepted but strongly discouraged in roll-off dumpsters. They attract pests, create odors, and add unnecessary weight. Dumpster rentals are meant for project debris, not daily trash.

Electrical cords, extension cords, and wiring are accepted in dumpsters. Copper wiring has significant scrap value. Bundle cords to prevent tangling with other debris.

Laminate, granite, quartz, and solid surface countertops are accepted in dumpsters. Stone countertops are very heavy and should be broken into manageable pieces. Laminate countertops are lightweight.