Prohibited Items

Keep Your Dumpster Clear of These Items

​Though we pride ourselves on our ability to help customers with all kinds of different waste; there are still certain items that we absolutely cannot accept in our dumpsters. This applies to any and all flammable, toxic, or hazardous materials, as well as additional items that you cannot throw in a dumpster. To determine if your materials fall under these categories check for warning labels and symbols on the items in question. Most chemical products will fall under these categories, including household cleaning solutions and sprays.  

Common Symbols for Hazardous Materials

Biohazard

Chemical Hazard

Poison

If you find any of these symbols on your waste items check for disposal instructions on the label. If none are present, consult your local sanitation department to find a hazardous waste collection center near you.

Additional prohibited items include the following:

• Tires 
  
• Batteries
  
• Stumps
  
• Railroad Ties
  
• Paints and Lacquers
  
• Oils
  
• Asbestos
  
• Infectious Waste

• Contaminated Soils & Absorbents
• Ink & Resins
• Industrial Drums
• Food Waste
• Fuel
• Adhesives
• Refrigerants
• Hot Water Tank

Note: Bulk waste items are accepted in some locations but not all. These items include furniture, appliances, electronics and mattresses, all of which have regulations and disposal costs that vary by location. Check out our how to dispose of bulk waste page for more information.

Tires
All tires are prohibited due to the damage they can cause to landfills. Whole tires are capable of "floating" to the top of a landfill as methane gas builds up inside the tire's inner wall, breaking plastic liners and ventilation pipes in the process. Tires should be left with local recyclers or reclamation companies in your area.

Batteries
Car batteries are particularly hazardous due to their lead-acid composition. These batteries contain high levels of lead and other heavy metals that cannot be mixed with other wastes. Anytime you find yourself with a dead car battery, take it to an auto parts store or authorized recycling center.  

Stumps
Tree stumps are generally prohibited from landfills due to their bulkiness and tendency to cause damage to landfill liners. That being said, you have a couple of different options for disposal. You can call up your local recycling center to see if they accept tree stumps, rent a wood chipper and reduce your stump to mulch for your trees or garden, or hire a landscaping company to remove it for you.

Railroad Ties
Railroad ties are pieces of creosote-treated lumber used in the construction of railroad tracks. Railroad ties fall under prohibited items because of their creosote content, a substance derived from pitch tar that can be harmful when handled improperly. They are generally not accepted by landfills and should be disposed of according to local, state, and federal guidelines. It is not advised to burn or mulch railroad ties as their creosote coating can release harmful chemicals into the air.

Paints and Lacquers
Paints and lacquers are prohibited due to their potential for containing harmful elements such as lead or mercury, especially those manufactured prior to the 1990s. They can also damage or permanently stain equipment such as garbage trucks and dumpsters. If you have leftover paint cans, consult our guide to learn how to properly recycle or dispose of them.

Oils
Prohibited oils include those used in automobiles and those used as general industrial lubricants. Used motor oil can be recycled through a number of nationwide retailers, as well as most auto parts and mechanic shops.

Asbestos
Asbestos is a flame retardant material found in older homes and various industrial products. It is considered to be a carcinogen in most US states and is therefore banned from most landfills. Removing asbestos-containing materials from homes or offices is highly dangerous and should only be done by licensed contractors.

Infectious Waste
Infectious waste consists of materials used in medicine or that have come into contact with bodily fluids. Items such as hypodermic needles and used bandages should be disposed of through waste haulers that are licensed to handle, transport, and dispose of medical waste.

Contaminated Soils & Absorbents
Contaminated soils and absorbents that are mixed with hazardous substances cannot be disposed of through normal MSW haulers. Contaminated soils must either be treated or contained per federal superfund guidelines. Contaminated absorbents must likewise be treated or disposed of via hazardous waste processors.

Ink & Resins
Ink used in pens and printers, as well as resins, can damage equipment and stain the interior of dumpsters. These are best disposed of through recycling centers and/or retailers with drop-off locations.

Industrial Drums
Industrial drums are used to contain the byproducts of a number of different industrial processes. Often, these substances are considered hazardous and should be disposed of through licensed haulers and industry participants. Clean drums can be recycled as scrap metal.

Food Waste
Though food waste can be landfilled we do not allow for its disposal in our dumpsters due to its potential to attract vermin and spoilage. If you have to dispose of large amounts of food waste, consider using municipal trash services or sending the waste to local composting centers.

Fuel
All fuel types are banned from landfills, and therefore, our dumpsters. Gasoline/petroleum is highly flammable and should only be disposed of if it can no longer be used as a fuel source. Disposal should only be handled by hazardous waste disposal centers. Consult your local fire department or recycling center to find hazardous waste disposal centers near you.

Adhesives
Adhesives such as glue or epoxy should be disposed of with regular household trash or recycling, rather than a dumpster. Loose adhesives can damage the container or cause waste items to become entangled and hard to remove.

Refrigerants
Items containing refrigerant must be evacuated according to federal disposal guidelines. This is to ensure that no hazardous chemicals are introduced into the environment. Properly drained refrigerators can be disposed of using regular dumpsters in some cases, contact us to determine if we can accept your refrigerator.

​Hot Water Tanks
Hot water tanks are generally not accepted for disposal because their void space can collect harmful gases in landfills. If you need to dispose of a hot water heater/tank, contact your local waste management department or recycling facility.