What Can Go in a Dumpster?

Generally accepted

• Household junk — furniture, boxes, clothing, toys, small housewares, general clutter from a cleanout
• Construction and demolition debris — lumber, drywall, plaster, sheathing, trim, doors, windows, cabinetry, subfloor
• Flooring — carpet, padding, laminate, vinyl, hardwood, and tile (tile is heavy, so it affects sizing)
• Roofing material — asphalt shingles, underlayment and flashing; see roofing dumpster rental for how these are sized
• Yard debris — brush, branches, sod, leaves and hardscape material
• Heavy material — concrete, brick, block, dirt and stone, kept in a dedicated small container
• Scrap metal — old fencing, gutters, metal shelving, non-refrigerant appliances

Not accepted in a roll-off container

These items are regulated or handled through separate channels. They do not go in the container regardless of quantity:

• Hazardous waste, chemicals, solvents, pesticides and pool chemicals
• Liquid paint, stains and adhesives (dried-out latex paint is sometimes handled differently — ask)
• Motor oil, fuel, antifreeze and other automotive fluids
• Propane tanks, gas cylinders and anything pressurized
• Asbestos-containing material and other regulated building materials
• Tires and vehicle batteries
• Medical waste and sharps
• Appliances containing refrigerant, unless it has been professionally removed
• Contaminated soil

Items that usually need to be handled separately

These are not hazardous, but they are typically diverted from general debris and may be billed differently:

• Mattresses and box springs
• Electronics — televisions, monitors, computers
• Fluorescent tubes and CFL bulbs
• Rechargeable and lithium batteries

Mention these when you book. It is a two-second conversation up front and a real problem if it is discovered at the scale.

Why the rules exist

Everything in the container goes to a disposal facility that is itself regulated. Loads are inspected, and prohibited material can cause a load to be rejected — which means it comes back, along with the cost of the trip. Lithium batteries in particular have become a serious fire risk in transfer stations and collection trucks, which is why they are excluded even in small quantities.

Practical loading rules

• Keep the load level with the top rail. An overfilled container cannot be safely tarped or hauled.
• Distribute weight evenly. Do not build the whole load at one end.
• No liquids of any kind. Rain adds enough weight on its own.
• Break down bulky items. It costs a few minutes and buys real capacity.

Still unsure about something?

Call (518) 742-7908 before you load it, or read the full rental FAQ. If you are still choosing a container, the size guide is the next stop.