What Can You Put in a Dumpster? Complete Guide
Rent a dumpster from Boxx Boss to toss household junk, yard waste, wood, metal, furniture, drywall, and shingles. Don’t throw in hazardous stuff like batteries, paint, chemicals, propane tanks, asbestos, tires, or some electronics. Play it safe and follow local rules. Need help? Our expert team is ready.
When you rent a dumpster, one of the biggest questions people have is:
“What exactly can I throw away?”
It might seem like everything should be fair game — after all, it’s a dumpster. But not so fast. While many common household, remodeling, and yard materials can be tossed without a problem, some items are restricted or require special handling.
Knowing what’s allowed and what’s not will help you avoid extra fees, keep your project running smoothly, and stay in compliance with local disposal regulations.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
✅ What you can safely put in a dumpster
🚫 What you can’t throw away
💡 Tips for disposing of restricted items properly
🧾 How to avoid hidden or surprise fees
🏡 1. Common Household Items You Can Throw in a Dumpster
For most cleanouts, junk removal projects, or home remodels, you can toss a wide variety of household materials into a standard roll-off dumpster.
Here are some of the most common categories:
🪑 Furniture & Bulky Items
Sofas, loveseats, and recliners
Tables, chairs, and desks
Bookshelves and entertainment centers
Dressers, nightstands, and bed frames
📌 Pro tip: Break down larger furniture if possible. It saves space and may help avoid overage charges.
🛏 Mattresses & Box Springs
In many areas, mattresses can go in a dumpster. However, some landfills charge extra for mattresses because they require special processing. Check your local guidelines or ask your dumpster rental company about mattress fees.
🧺 General Household Junk
Old clothes and shoes
Toys, books, and home décor
Paper, cardboard, and packaging materials
Electronics without hazardous components (basic DVD players, lamps, clocks, etc.)
🧹 Appliances (Non-Freon)
Appliances like:
Microwaves
Washers and dryers
Ovens and stoves
Dishwashers
⚠️ Appliances containing refrigerants (like refrigerators, freezers, and A/C units) usually require special disposal steps because of environmental regulations.
🧱 2. Construction & Remodeling Debris You Can Toss
Dumpster rentals are a favorite for contractors and DIYers because they make remodeling cleanup simple. Most non-hazardous construction debris is allowed.
🪵 Wood & Lumber
Framing lumber
Trim, paneling, and baseboards
Pallets
Wooden doors
🧱 Drywall, Plaster & Sheetrock
Broken or old drywall from remodeling
Sheetrock scraps from new construction
Plaster from demo projects
📌 These can take up a lot of space — consider your dumpster size carefully.
🧼 Flooring Materials
Carpet and padding
Tile, vinyl, laminate, or hardwood flooring
Subfloor scraps
🪨 Roofing Materials
Shingles
Felt paper
Underlayment
Roofing nails and scraps
⚠️ Roofing shingles are heavy. Be mindful of weight limits, as exceeding the included tonnage can result in extra charges.
🧱 Concrete, Brick, and Asphalt (In Small Quantities)
Many dumpsters accept small amounts of clean concrete or masonry debris. However:
Heavy materials may require a smaller dumpster size to stay under weight limits.
For large loads, some haulers provide special “heavy debris” dumpsters.
🌿 3. Yard Waste & Outdoor Materials You Can Throw Away
If you're landscaping, trimming trees, or clearing out an overgrown yard, most green waste can go in a dumpster.
Allowed yard debris often includes:
Tree branches, limbs, and stumps (cut to manageable size)
Leaves and grass clippings
Bush, shrubs, and weeds
Small logs or untreated wood
🪴 You can also usually throw away:
Fencing (wood or metal)
Garden furniture
Concrete pavers and patio blocks (in small amounts)
Old grills (empty and clean of propane tanks)
📌 Bagging loose leaves or grass before tossing them in can help maximize space.
🚫 4. Items You Can’t Put in a Dumpster (Prohibited or Restricted)
While dumpsters can handle a lot, there are some important exceptions. These items are either dangerous, restricted by local or federal law, or require special disposal.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common prohibited items:
🧪 Hazardous Waste
Paint, stains, and paint thinner
Pesticides and herbicides
Motor oil and antifreeze
Household cleaners and chemicals
Batteries (especially lithium or car batteries)
⚠️ Hazardous materials can’t go to regular landfills and must be taken to a certified disposal center.
🔥 Flammable or Explosive Materials
Gasoline or diesel fuel
Propane tanks
Fireworks and ammunition
Aerosol cans under pressure
Even empty containers can pose a risk at landfills due to residual vapors or pressure.
🧊 Refrigerated Appliances (Freon-Containing)
Refrigerators
Freezers
Window A/C units
These must be properly evacuated and tagged before disposal, often through a special recycling program.
🩺 Medical Waste & Pharmaceuticals
Needles, sharps, syringes
Prescription drugs
Infectious materials
Medical waste requires specialized disposal to prevent contamination.
🖥 Electronics with Hazardous Components
Old CRT televisions or monitors
Large copiers with toner
Certain computer components
Modern flat-screen TVs and small electronics may be allowed, but it’s best to confirm.
🪨 Heavy Materials in Excess
Even allowed materials can be restricted if too much weight is placed in the dumpster. Concrete, brick, and roofing shingles can exceed weight limits quickly and lead to overage charges.
📝 5. Special Disposal Rules for Common Gray Area Items
Not everything is clearly “allowed” or “prohibited.” Some items fall into a gray area where extra steps may be required.
| Item | Disposal Rule |
|---|---|
| Tires | Usually prohibited. May require drop-off at a tire recycling center. |
| Mattresses | Allowed in some areas; extra disposal fees may apply. |
| TVs & Electronics | Small electronics often allowed; CRTs and big screens usually not. |
| Yard chemicals & fertilizers | Must be taken to a household hazardous waste facility. |
| Propane tanks | Never allowed in dumpsters; return to a supplier or drop-off location. |
📌 When in doubt, ask your dumpster rental provider before throwing questionable items in. It’s better to ask than to get hit with a contamination fee.
💸 6. How Prohibited Items Can Cost You Extra
Putting the wrong thing in a dumpster doesn’t just break the rules — it can cost you.
Common fees include:
Contamination fee: Charged if prohibited items are found during disposal.
Overage fee: Charged if heavy items exceed the included weight.
Return or trip fee: If the driver can’t dump due to prohibited items.
These costs can add up quickly, potentially doubling the price of a basic dumpster rental.
👉 That’s why understanding what’s allowed upfront is one of the best ways to keep your dumpster rental affordable.
🧭 7. How to Get Rid of Prohibited Items Properly
Just because something can’t go in the dumpster doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it forever. Here are some responsible disposal alternatives:
🚗 Local Drop-Off Centers
Many cities, including Shreveport–Bossier, offer:
Tire disposal days
Paint recycling events
Household hazardous waste drop-offs
🏪 Retail Take-Back Programs
Some retailers accept:
Batteries and electronics
Appliances
Light bulbs
🔥 Scrap & Recycling Centers
Metals, old grills, and appliances can often be recycled for cash.
Some centers will take concrete or brick for reuse.
🩺 Medical & Pharmaceutical Disposal
Most pharmacies or hospitals offer safe medication disposal. Medical sharps should be placed in approved containers and dropped at designated sites.
📅 8. Tips to Avoid Dumpster Contamination Fees
🧾 Ask questions up front. When renting a dumpster, review the list of allowed and prohibited items with your hauler.
🗑 Sort materials by type. Keep recyclables, heavy materials, and junk separate.
📦 Break down bulky items. It saves space and prevents overfilling.
📸 Take photos before pickup. It’s smart documentation in case of disputes.
✅ Following these steps can help you stay under budget and avoid surprise charges after your dumpster is picked up.
📍 9. What’s Usually Fine in a Residential Dumpster
To make it simple, here’s a quick yes/no cheat sheet:
| Item Category | Allowed in Dumpster | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Furniture & household junk | ✅ Yes | Break down when possible |
| Appliances (non-Freon) | ✅ Yes | Ask about extra fees |
| Yard waste | ✅ Yes | Keep stumps manageable |
| Construction debris | ✅ Yes | Watch weight |
| Concrete & heavy debris | ✅ Limited | Check weight restrictions |
| Mattresses | ✅ Sometimes | May require fee |
| Electronics | ⚠️ Some | CRTs usually prohibited |
| Hazardous chemicals | ❌ No | Special disposal required |
| Propane tanks | ❌ No | Never allowed |
| Paint, fuel, explosives | ❌ No | Prohibited |
🌟 10. Why Local Dumpster Companies Make This Easier
One of the best ways to make sure you’re following the rules is to work with a local dumpster rental company that knows the specific disposal regulations in your area.
With Boxx Boss Solutions, you get:
📞 Clear guidance on what’s allowed
🚚 Fast, local service
🧾 Transparent pricing with no hidden surprises
♻️ Help avoiding contamination and overage fees
Local companies have direct relationships with nearby landfills and transfer stations, which means fewer headaches for you.
🏁 Final Take: Know Before You Throw
Renting a dumpster makes cleanup fast and efficient — but only if you know what’s allowed inside.
Key takeaways:
✅ You can safely toss most furniture, junk, yard debris, and construction waste.
🚫 Hazardous, flammable, or electronic waste often needs special disposal.
🧾 Prohibited items can lead to extra fees — or worse, rejected loads.
📍 A local hauler can guide you and save you money in the long run.
When in doubt, ask before you toss. A quick question can save you hundreds of dollars in fees.
📲 Ready to Book Your Dumpster?
If you’re cleaning out your home, remodeling, or tackling a job site in the Shreveport–Bossier area, Boxx Boss Solutions has you covered.
✅ Clean, well-maintained dumpsters
✅ Transparent pricing
✅ Local experts who know the rules
👉 Request a Quote or call 318-575-2677 to schedule your dumpster today.
