Dumpsters come in handy when you need to clean out your house or business of unwanted items like old furniture, construction debris, or general household clutter.
But did you know that not all items are safe for dumpster disposal? That’s right—you shouldn’t be tossing garbage in carelessly, as it could lead to contamination, environmental damage, or even fires! Here are some things you should never put in a dumpster and how to dispose of them properly instead.
It might be tempting to toss that half-used can of paint into the dumpster after a home renovation project. But paint, along with solvents, lacquers, and wood stains, contains chemicals that can be harmful. These liquids can seep into the ground, contaminate soil and water supplies, and pose a risk to wildlife. Some paint types are also flammable, which introduces a fire hazard.
So, what should you do with leftover paint? For latex-based paints, if there’s only a small amount left, you can let it air-dry completely until it’s solid. Once it’s a solid block, it’s often safe for regular trash. For larger quantities or oil-based paints, your best bet is to take them to a local household hazardous waste (HHW) collection facility. These centers can handle such materials safely.
Batteries come in all shapes and sizes, from the small AAs in your remote control to the large lead-acid battery in your car. None of them belongs in a dumpster. Batteries contain toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium. When they end up in a landfill, these chemicals can leak out, polluting the environment. Plus, certain batteries, like the lithium-ion ones in electronics, can short-circuit and cause fires inside the dumpster or at the landfill.
Most local recycling centers and many electronics stores have battery recycling programs. You can often find drop-off bins for household batteries at places like Home Depot or Lowe’s. Car batteries, on the other hand, need special handling. You should return them to an auto parts store or a dedicated recycling facility.
This category includes things like gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid, and propane tanks. It’s probably obvious why these are a bad idea for a dumpster. These materials are highly combustible. A spark from metal scraping against the dumpster wall or a discarded cigarette could be enough to start a blaze. These fires pose a risk to both property and the sanitation workers who handle the dumpsters.
Proper disposal of flammable liquids is very important because of how dangerous they are. Some recycling programs might accept small, empty propane tanks, but you often need to return larger ones to the supplier. For leftover gasoline or other fuels, contact your local HHW facility. They have the proper procedures to manage these hazardous materials.
Old tires are a common item people want to get rid of, but they’re a big no-no for dumpsters. They’re bulky and don’t compact well, which takes up a lot of precious landfill space. More than that, whole tires can trap methane gas, which can damage landfill liners. They also collect rainwater, which creates a breeding ground for pests like mosquitoes. Many landfills and dumpster rental companies specifically ban them for these reasons.
So, how do you get rid of old tires? When you buy new tires, the shop will usually take your old ones for a small fee. You can also take them to a local tire recycling center. These facilities shred the tires and repurpose the rubber for things like playground surfaces, asphalt, and new consumer products.
We all have old electronics lying around, from outdated cell phones and laptops to broken TVs and printers. Tossing them in a dumpster is a bad move. This e-waste contains hazardous substances like lead, mercury, and flame retardants, which can pollute air and water. Electronics also contain valuable materials like gold, silver, and copper, which can’t be recovered if they sit in a landfill.
Look for local e-waste recycling events in your community. Many cities and towns host them periodically. Some electronics retailers, like Best Buy, also have take-back programs where you can drop off your old gadgets for recycling, sometimes for free.
Asbestos was once a common material in building construction, used in things like insulation, floor tiles, and roofing. If your home was built before the 1980s, you might encounter it during a renovation. This material is extremely hazardous. When asbestos fibers become airborne, people can inhale them, potentially leading to serious lung diseases, including cancer. For this reason, it is illegal and incredibly dangerous to put any asbestos-containing materials in a standard dumpster.
If you suspect asbestos contaminates your garbage, don’t disturb it. You should hire a certified asbestos abatement professional. They’re trained to safely remove and dispose of the material according to strict federal and state regulations.
Medical waste, especially items like used needles (sharps), expired medications, and soiled bandages, poses a health risk. Sharps can cause injury and spread infectious diseases to sanitation workers. Pharmaceuticals can contaminate soil and water if they end up in a landfill, affecting both wildlife and municipal water supplies. Because this type of waste requires special handling, you should never throw it into a dumpster.
For sharps, use an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container. Once it’s full, you can check with your local health department or a nearby hospital for disposal programs. For expired or unused medications, many pharmacies and police stations have take-back programs that offer a safe and anonymous way to get rid of them.
Large appliances like refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioning units aren’t welcome in dumpsters. The main reason is that they contain refrigerants like Freon. These are regulated chemicals that deplete the ozone layer and contribute to climate change. It’s illegal to release them into the atmosphere. Before these appliances can be recycled for their metal, the refrigerants must be professionally and safely removed.
When you’re ready to get rid of an old cooling appliance, check with your local utility company. They sometimes offer bounty programs where they’ll pick up your old unit and pay you for it. You can also contact your municipal public works department to see if they offer special collection days for large appliances.
You should never put these items in dumpsters because doing so can cause major safety and environmental hazards. Improper disposal can result in fines, cleanup costs, and damage to our environment and public health. Taking the extra time to dispose of these materials properly protects everyone and conserves valuable resources through recycling.
Even though you can’t throw away certain items in dumpsters, they’re still fantastic for most of your cleanup needs. If you need a dumpster rental in Los Angeles, Pirate Dumpsters offers affordable, quick, and reliable service. We have a wide variety of dumpster sizes, including 8-yard, 15-yard, and 25-yard options, to suit any project, big or small. Rent from a reliable company and clear out that junk safely and efficiently!
