Can you throw paint in a dumpster? There are many rules about what you can and cannot throw in a municipal dumpster. You could be fined if you throw away hazardous materials or tires. If you rent a dumpster, you can break your rental agreement by throwing certain items in the trash.
Even if you feel confident about handling a dumpster, you should still be familiar with the rules and regulations before you dispose of anything.
What Can You Toss in a Dumpster?
A dumpster can dispose of almost all non-hazardous junk and waste. This includes:
Construction and Home Improvement Debris
You can throw almost all types of construction waste in a dumpster. This includes:
- Asphalt
- Bathroom fixtures
- Brick
- Cabinetry
- Concrete
- Countertops
- Drywall
- Flooring
- Lumber and wood materials
- Siding
- Stone
- Subfloor materials
- Tiles
You might need to rent a reinforced dumpster if your materials are hefty.
Household junk
Any household junk that isn’t hazardous can be put in a dumpster. The EPA defines household hazardous trash as anything that can catch fire, react, explode, or ignite under certain conditions or that is corrosive, toxic, or both.
You can find non-hazardous household junk in regular trash, furniture, and yard materials such as siding or shingles.
Wooden Furniture
It is acceptable to dispose of wood furniture in a dumpster almost always. Wooden Furniture such as tables, chairs, cabinets, shelves, and other items made of wood can be safely disposed of in a dumpster.
Upholstered Furniture, such as armchairs and couches, is not allowed. Different rules for Furniture are upholstered. These rules vary from one place to the next.
Yard Waste
Junk from nature is not considered garbage. However, things like leaves, sticks, and storm debris can be thrown in a dumpster.
What Can You Not Put in a Dumpster?
Knowing what items can and cannot be put in a dumpster is essential. These items could be dangerous, and others could cause problems for your company or government.
It would be best to avoid these things when disposing of waste in a dumpster.
Asbestos
Many things, such as renovation debris and roof tiles not allowed in a dumpster, may be prohibited if your home is contaminated with asbestos. Because they are considered spoiled, they cannot be put in a dumpster.
To remove asbestos from your home, you should hire a professional contractor.
Absorbents and Contaminated Soils
Hazardous materials cannot be placed in a dumpster. Any material contaminated with such materials, like soil, mulch, or contaminated soil, will not be allowed to go into a dumpster. You cannot also put them in a dumpster.
Hazardous Materials
Many bottles and containers contain hazardous materials such as pesticides or motor oil.
Professional hazardous waste collectors must dispose of all dangerous materials. This includes household chemicals like pesticides, motor oil, automotive fluids, Freon, and asbestos.
Household Cleaning Fluids
Although empty cleaning supplies bottles can be recycled in some cases, they should not be thrown away.
Check the label to see any disposal instructions for household cleaning fluid. The American Cleaning Institute recommends that you consider the purpose of the chemical to determine how to dispose of it. For example, laundry and dish detergent is usually drained through the plumbing. It is safe to flush them down the toilet with running water.
Hot Water Tanks
Hot water tanks cannot be placed in a dumpster as they can collect dangerous gases and explode.
If you are getting rid of your hot water tank, it is usually because you are replacing it with one. Contact the hot water company to find out if they can collect your old heater when they arrive at your home.
You can also contact a professional junk removal company or your local waste management facility to inquire about curbside pick-up for your hot water tank.
Medical Infectious Waste
Any material that comes in contact with bodily fluids or is used in medicine, is considered medical infectious waste. This includes:
- The carcasses and body parts of animals
- Dialysis waste
- Bags for hospital blood
- Blood-soaked fabrics or human blood
- Prescriptions and drugs that have expired or are no longer needed
- Sharps and needles that have been used
Medical household waste is anything used to treat an injury that doesn’t require medical attention. This category is more relevant to doctors’ offices and medical labs than homes.
Non-Alkaline Batteries
Other than household batteries below the federal standards for hazardous household waste, different types of batteries can harm the environment. They should not be thrown away in a dumpster.
These batteries should not be placed in a dumpster:
- Car batteries
- Computer batteries
- Lead-acid batteries
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Rechargeable batteries
- Silver oxide batteries
Call your local municipal waste authority to find out where you can recycle your batteries.
Oils, Fuels, and Propane Tanks
You cannot throw any flammable material into a dumpster, such as gasoline, oil, propane tanks, or fuel. Properly disposing of highly combustible material is dangerous and illegal. Contact your local hazardous waste collector or fire department to dispose of flammable materials properly.
Paint and Lacquers
Because they contain mercury and lead, paint, lacquer, thinner, or wood stain are prohibited throw in a dumpster. However, empty paint cans and dry latex paint are an exemption to throw in a dumpster as long as they’re wrapped in plastic bags.
You can recycle empty, dried paint cans with other metals in your regular recycle bin instead to throw them in a dumpster.
Undrained Appliances
A refrigerator cannot be placed in a dumpster until it is empty of any refrigerant. Although refrigerators aren’t toxic by themselves, freon can be. The penalty for releasing it into the environment can reach up to $25,000.
Although it is possible to drain freon from a refrigerator, most people prefer to call their local waste management authority (or a private waste removal company) and arrange a professional pick-up.
Whole Tires
Because of the potential for methane gasses to be trapped in the tire’s hollow center, whole tires should not be placed in landfills. The methane in the tire will cause it to “float” on the landfill’s surface, pushing away other garbage and possibly rupturing the protective layer that protects the landfill from pollution.
To get rid of your tire, bring it to an auto parts shop or a local recycler. Rubber mulch can be made from it.
Schedule Your Dumpster Rentals
Are you looking for a hassle-free way to dispose of your waste? Look no further than PAR Hauling Solutions! Our dumpster rental service offers an easy and convenient way to eliminate your junk, construction debris, or any other waste you need to dispose of. Call today and rent a dumpster!
