What Can You Put in a Dumpster? (And What You Cannot)
Most household junk and construction debris can go in a dumpster. But some items are prohibited by law. Here is what you need to know before you start loading.
What You Can Put in a Dumpster
- Household junk and furniture (sofas, tables, chairs, dressers)
- Appliances (washers, dryers, refrigerators; freon must be removed first)
- Electronics (computers, TVs, monitors)
- Construction and demolition debris (drywall, lumber, flooring, tile)
- Roofing materials (shingles, felt, flashing)
- Concrete and masonry (weight limits apply)
- Yard waste and green waste (branches, brush, grass clippings)
- Cardboard and paper
- Metal and scrap
- General household junk
What You Cannot Put in a Dumpster
These items are prohibited by law and cannot go in any dumpster:
- Hazardous materials: Paint, solvents, chemicals, pesticides, motor oil
- Asbestos: Requires special handling and certified disposal
- Tires: Prohibited in all landfills in California
- Batteries: Car batteries, lithium batteries, lead-acid batteries
- Medical waste: Needles, medications, biohazardous materials
- Refrigerants: Appliances containing freon must have the refrigerant removed before disposal
- Propane tanks: Even empty tanks are prohibited
What to Do with Prohibited Items
Los Angeles County has several options for hazardous waste disposal:
- LA County SAFE Centers: Free drop-off for household hazardous waste. Locations in Glendale, Antelope Valley, and other areas.
- Paint disposal: PaintCare drop-off locations at hardware stores across LA.
- Tire disposal: Most tire shops accept old tires for a small fee.
- Battery recycling: AutoZone, O'Reilly, and other auto parts stores accept car batteries.
A Note on Heavy Materials
Concrete, dirt, and roofing shingles are accepted but are very heavy. Filling a dumpster entirely with these materials will exceed the weight limit and result in overweight fees. We recommend mixing heavy materials with lighter debris or calling us to discuss the best approach for your project.
Questions about a specific item? Call us at (310) 754-5567 before you load. We would rather answer a question than have you deal with an overweight fee or a prohibited item issue.