Can I put paint in a dumpster?

Liquid paint is generally not accepted. Many local rules allow fully dried latex paint in household trash; oil-based paint is usually treated as household hazardous waste. Check with your city or county's household hazardous waste program.

Can I throw a refrigerator in a dumpster?

Only if the refrigerant has been removed by a qualified technician, and some haulers will not take appliances at all. Ask the hauler.

Are mattresses allowed?

Often, for an extra fee. Some haulers refuse them. Ask when you book.

What happens if I put a banned item in the dumpster?

The hauler may refuse to collect the container until it is removed, or charge a fee. Some items cannot legally go to a regular landfill.

Can I put dirt and rocks in a dumpster?

Often, but usually only in a separate container filled partway, because they are so heavy. Some haulers send clean fill to recyclers. Ask before loading.

Are pressure-treated wood and railroad ties accepted?

Pressure-treated lumber from decks and fences is accepted by most haulers. Creosote-treated railroad ties are restricted in some places; ask before including them.

What Can You Put in a Dumpster? Accepted & Banned Items

Key points

General household junk, furniture and construction debris are accepted almost everywhere.
Hazardous waste, wet paint, chemicals, batteries, tires and refrigerant appliances are typically banned or need special handling.
Concrete, brick and dirt are often accepted only in separate, partly filled containers.
Every hauler and landfill sets its own list. Ask before you load anything unusual.

Black wheeled bin with a hinged lid on a path beside lawn and shade trees

The short answer

If it came out of a house or a building project and it is not hazardous, it probably goes in. Furniture, drywall, lumber, flooring, cabinets, roofing, yard brush and general junk are what roll-off dumpsters are for. The exceptions are hazardous materials, a few items that landfills will not take, and heavy material that needs its own container.

But the rules are set by the hauler and the facility the load goes to, not by us. Treat this guide as the general picture and confirm anything unusual on the call.

Usually accepted

Household items

Furniture: sofas, chairs, tables, dressers, bed frames.
Clothing, toys, books and general clutter.
Rugs and carpet.
Non-hazardous household junk from garages, attics and basements.

Construction and renovation debris

Drywall and plaster.
Lumber, framing and trim, including most pressure-treated wood.
Cabinets, countertops and vanities.
Flooring: wood, laminate, vinyl, tile (heavy).
Doors, windows and siding.
Roofing shingles (heavy; ask about weight).
Fixtures such as sinks and toilets.

Yard debris

Brush, branches and limbs.
Leaves and clippings, though some haulers prefer them separate.
Fencing and decking.

Accepted with conditions

Heavy material

Concrete, brick, block, asphalt, rock and dirt are often accepted, but usually only in a separate container filled partway, because of weight limits on the truck. Some haulers send clean concrete or clean dirt to recyclers. Mixing them into general debris can raise the disposal cost or get the load refused. Ask before you load.

Items with fees

Mattresses and box springs. Often accepted for a fee.
Appliances. Washers, dryers and stoves are often accepted, sometimes with a fee. Refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers and air conditioners contain refrigerant, which must be removed by a qualified technician before disposal.
Electronics. TVs, monitors and computers are restricted in some places; many areas have separate e-waste collection.

Usually banned

These typically cannot go in a roll-off, or need special handling:

Hazardous waste: chemicals, solvents, pesticides, pool chemicals, fuels and oils.
Liquid paint and stains. Oil-based products in particular are hazardous.
Batteries: car batteries and lithium-ion batteries, which can cause fires.
Tires: most landfills restrict them.
Propane tanks and pressurized cylinders.
Asbestos-containing material, which requires licensed abatement and special disposal.
Medical waste.
Anything burning, hot or smoldering, including ashes that are not fully cold.

Cities and counties across the Southeast run household hazardous waste programs or collection days for many of these items. Check with your local government.

Why the rules exist

Landfills are permitted for certain kinds of waste. Hazardous material can contaminate soil and groundwater, batteries and pressurized tanks can start fires in trucks and at facilities, and refrigerants damage the atmosphere. When a hauler refuses a material, it is usually because the facility will not accept it, or the law does not allow it.

Loading tips

Load heavy, flat items first on the floor, then bulky items, then fill gaps.
Break down furniture and flatten boxes to save space.
Keep it level with the top rails. Nothing should stick up or hang over.
Spread the weight evenly so the truck can lift it safely.
Tarp the load in rain, especially drywall, insulation and carpet, which soak up water and weight.
Do not let others use it. Neighbors' junk can include banned items you will be charged for.

A Southeast note: storms and yard waste

After a summer storm or the remnants of a tropical system, many people fill dumpsters with limbs and wet debris. That is generally fine, but wet material is heavy, and some haulers want yard waste kept separate from construction debris. Many cities also run their own storm debris collection; check before you pay to dispose of brush.

Quick reference by project

Kitchen remodel: cabinets, countertops, drywall, flooring, fixtures. Appliances only by arrangement.
Bathroom remodel: tile (heavy), vanities, toilets, tubs, drywall. Cast-iron tubs are heavy; ask about weight.
Roof replacement: shingles, underlayment, flashing, gutters. Very heavy; size for weight.
Garage cleanout: junk, old furniture, boxes. Leave out paint, chemicals, fuel, batteries and tires.
Estate cleanout: furniture, clothing, household goods. Check for hazardous items in sheds and basements, and refrigerant appliances.
Yard cleanup: brush, limbs, fencing. Soil and stumps only by arrangement.
Deck removal: decking, framing, railings. Concrete footings go in a separate container.

Recycling and donation first

Before loading, consider what can go elsewhere. Usable furniture, appliances and building materials can often be donated to reuse stores and charities. Scrap metal has value to recyclers. Clean concrete and brick can go to crushers. Every item that leaves another way is space and weight you are not paying for.

Commercial and job-site loads

Businesses and contractors face the same basic list, with a few additions. Fluorescent tubes and some ballasts contain mercury or other regulated components and usually need separate recycling. Large quantities of electronics from an office clear-out should go to an e-waste recycler. Restaurant refits can include grease and food waste that do not belong in an open roll-off. Ask the hauler about anything that came from a commercial process rather than a building.

Not sure about an item?

Ask on the call: (678) 916-9637. The hauler will tell you what they accept. For sizing, see the sizes guide; for typical costs including item fees and overages, the pricing page.

General information for planning a rental. Rules and prices vary by city and change over time; confirm locally and get an exact quote by phone.

What Goes in a Roll-Off Dumpster, and What Stays Out