What Can (and Can't) Go in a Dumpster?

Good news first: the vast majority of what you're cleaning out can go straight in the dumpster. The short list of things that can't exists mostly because the landfill won't take them — not because we're being difficult. Here's the plain-English breakdown, plus where the banned stuff actually needs to go.

✅ What you can throw in

Almost all standard household, renovation, and construction debris is accepted:

• Furniture — couches, tables, dressers, chairs
• Renovation debris — drywall, lumber, cabinets, countertops, tile, flooring
• Roofing shingles (heavy — watch your weight allowance)
• Yard waste — branches, brush, leaves, sod, small stumps
• General junk and boxes from a cleanout
• Carpet and padding
• Non-refrigerant appliances — stoves, dishwashers, washers, dryers, water heaters
• Construction materials — siding, decking, fencing, scrap wood
• Concrete, brick, and dirt in small amounts (very heavy — see below)

⛔ What can't go in

These are prohibited by landfill regulations and Alabama disposal rules — not just company preference. Putting them in risks a rejected load and a return trip:

• Tires — recycled separately by law
• Wet paint and liquids — dry out latex paint with cat litter first, then the empty can is fine
• Fuels, oils, and propane tanks
• Batteries — car, lithium, and most rechargeables
• Hazardous chemicals — solvents, pesticides, pool chemicals, cleaners
• Appliances with Freon — refrigerators, freezers, AC units, dehumidifiers
• Asbestos — requires licensed abatement
• Medical waste and sharps
• Electronics (e-waste) — TVs, monitors, computers are often restricted; ask first

Where the banned stuff actually goes

• Paint: dry it out and the hardened can goes in the dumpster; or drop liquid paint at a household hazardous-waste collection.
• Tires: most tire shops take them for a small per-tire fee.
• Refrigerators / AC: a licensed tech recovers the Freon, then the shell can be scrapped. Some retailers haul the old one when delivering a new unit.
• Electronics: local e-waste recycling events and big-box drop-offs.
• Chemicals and batteries: Madison County household hazardous-waste collection days.

The "allowed but heavy" trap

Concrete, brick, dirt, and roofing shingles are all allowed — but they're dense enough to blow past your included weight long before they fill the can. A dumpster packed with concrete can hit its weight limit at barely a quarter full. If you're tossing a lot of heavy material, keep loads light and ask us about it first. Our size guide and cost guide both explain how weight allowances work.