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Material-by-material disposal guides with accepted items, prohibited items, weight limits, and expert loading tips. Know exactly what goes in before your dumpster arrives.
Select a material category to see what is accepted, what is not, and how to load it properly.
Materials from building, remodeling, and renovation projects. One of the most common dumpster uses.
Mixed C&D debris averages 300 to 500 lbs per cubic yard. Concrete and masonry are much heavier; plan for 2,000+ lbs per cubic yard. Use a separate container for heavy materials to avoid overages.
Load flat items like drywall and plywood along the walls first, then fill the center with bulkier debris. Break down large items to maximize space.
Everyday items from home cleanouts, decluttering, estate cleanups, and move-outs.
Household junk is relatively light, averaging 150 to 250 lbs per cubic yard. A 20-yard dumpster with a 4-ton allowance is typically more than enough for a full-house cleanout.
Break down furniture when possible. Disassemble shelving units, remove cushions from couches, and flatten boxes. This can save you an entire dumpster size.
Green waste, landscaping debris, and organic materials from outdoor projects.
Green yard waste averages 200 to 400 lbs per cubic yard. Wet soil and sod can be extremely heavy at 1,500+ lbs per cubic yard. Keep dirt and sod loads in a small dumpster (10 or 15 yard) to stay within weight limits.
Cut branches down to 4-foot lengths so they stack flat. Bag loose leaves and grass clippings to prevent them from blowing out during transport. Load dirt toward the center for even weight distribution.
Tear-off materials from roof replacement and repair projects.
Roofing shingles are among the heaviest common debris types. A single roofing square (100 sq ft) of asphalt shingles weighs 250 to 400 lbs. A typical 2,000 sq ft roof tear-off generates 5,000 to 8,000 lbs of material. Use a 20-yard dumpster or smaller to stay within weight limits.
Load shingles flat, not on their side, to prevent them from settling unevenly. Spread the load evenly across the floor of the dumpster. Do not pile shingles more than a few feet high in one spot.
Masonry, stone, and other heavy materials from demolition and hardscaping projects.
Concrete weighs approximately 2,000 to 2,400 lbs per cubic yard: a 10-yard container loaded full of concrete would weigh 10 to 12 tons. We strongly recommend using a 10-yard dumpster for heavy debris and filling it only halfway to two-thirds full. Ask about our concrete-specific containers with higher weight allowances.
Spread heavy materials across the entire floor of the dumpster rather than stacking in one area. This distributes weight evenly and makes hauling safer. Never exceed the fill line, even if it looks like there is space.
Interior and exterior remodel waste including fixtures, finishes, and structural components.
Renovation debris is generally moderate weight at 300 to 600 lbs per cubic yard. Countertops and tile are heavier. A 20-yard dumpster with a 4-ton allowance covers most single-room or multi-room remodels comfortably.
Remove doors from cabinets and stack shells flat. Roll carpet tightly and stand rolls upright along the walls. Place heavy countertops on the floor of the dumpster first, then layer lighter materials on top.
Waste from office buildouts, commercial renovations, and business cleanouts.
Office furnishings are relatively light but bulky. A single cubicle workstation takes up about 2 to 3 cubic yards. A 30-yard dumpster typically handles a 10,000 to 15,000 sq ft office cleanout.
Disassemble cubicle panels and stack flat. Remove drawers from desks and nest them together. Compress drop ceiling tiles in bags. Breaking down office furniture can reduce your volume requirements by 30 to 50 percent.
Dimensional lumber, plywood, pallets, fencing, and other wood products from construction and demolition projects.
Mixed wood waste averages 150 to 300 lbs per cubic yard. Dry lumber is relatively light. A full 20-yard dumpster of wood typically weighs 2 to 3 tons. Wet or green wood is significantly heavier.
Cut long boards to 4-foot lengths so they stack flat. Break down pallets completely; whole pallets waste enormous space. Stack plywood and flat panels along the walls.
Washing machines, dryers, stoves, dishwashers, and other household appliances. Special rules apply for refrigerant-containing units.
Appliance weights vary: washers 150 to 200 lbs, stoves 125 to 200 lbs, dishwashers 75 to 125 lbs, water heaters 100 to 150 lbs empty. Dense but low volume. A few appliances add 500 to 800 lbs to a 10-yard load.
Use the walk-in door to dolly heavy appliances in at ground level. Remove doors from washers and dryers to create usable space inside. Drain all water from washers, dishwashers, and water heaters before loading.
Innerspring, memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses. Some areas charge surcharges and several states have recycling programs.
Mattresses are bulky but not heavy. A king-size innerspring weighs 100 to 150 lbs but takes up 2 cubic yards of space. Volume is the concern, not weight. Some providers charge a $25 to $75 surcharge per mattress.
Stand mattresses upright against the dumpster wall rather than laying flat. This saves floor space for other items. Memory foam mattresses can be cut into sections with a utility knife to dramatically reduce volume.
Tires are heavily regulated and banned from most dumpsters and landfills. Recycling programs and retailer take-back are the best options.
A passenger tire weighs 20 to 25 lbs. Weight is not the issue; regulations are. Most providers prohibit tires or charge $5 to $15 per tire. Tire retailers and recyclers are usually cheaper for tire-only disposal.
Always confirm with your provider that tires are accepted BEFORE loading them. Remove rims first. For more than a few tires, a dedicated tire recycler or retailer take-back program is cheaper than dumpster surcharges.
Drywall (sheetrock, gypsum board) from renovation, demolition, and new construction. Highly recyclable when kept separate.
A standard 4x8 sheet of half-inch drywall weighs about 52 lbs. A full 20-yard dumpster of drywall typically weighs 2 to 4 tons. Wet or water-damaged drywall can weigh 2 to 3 times more.
Keep drywall separate from other debris when possible to qualify for lower recycling rates. Break sheets into manageable pieces and stack flat on the dumpster floor. Avoid tossing randomly, which creates air pockets.
Wall-to-wall carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl, and tile flooring from renovation and replacement projects.
Carpet with padding weighs 5 to 7 lbs per square yard. A full house (1,500 sq ft) of carpet weighs about 800 to 1,200 lbs. Ceramic tile is much heavier at 10 to 15 lbs per square foot. Volume is the primary concern for carpet; weight for tile.
Cut carpet into 4-foot strips and roll tightly with duct tape. Stand rolls upright in the dumpster like fence posts. This saves 40 to 60 percent of volume compared to tossing carpet loosely.
Clean fill dirt, topsoil, gravel, crushed stone, sand, and natural rock. Among the heaviest dumpster materials; weight management is critical.
Dirt weighs 1,500 to 2,700+ lbs per cubic yard. Gravel averages 2,000 to 2,400 lbs per cubic yard. A 10-yard dumpster full of wet soil weighs 10 to 12 tons. Always use a 10-yard and fill halfway. Ask about heavy-load allowances.
Use a 10-yard dumpster and fill it only halfway. Spread material evenly across the floor. Let soil dry for several days before loading to significantly reduce weight. Check for free fill dirt listings before renting a dumpster.
Clay bricks, fire bricks, pavers, cinder blocks, and mortar from demolition and hardscaping projects.
Bricks weigh 1,800 to 2,200 lbs per cubic yard. A 10-yard dumpster full of bricks weighs 9 to 11 tons. Use a 10-yard and fill halfway (4 to 5 tons). Salvageable antique bricks may be worth $0.25 to $1.00 each.
Spread bricks evenly across the dumpster floor. Never concentrate weight in one area. Check for salvage value; antique and vintage bricks are in demand at architectural salvage yards. A thousand salvaged bricks can be worth $250 to $1,000.
Steel, aluminum, copper, iron, and other metals from construction, renovation, and demolition. Metal has scrap value; consider selling before landfilling.
Scrap metal varies widely: loose sheet metal 150 to 300 lbs per cubic yard, dense steel beams 1,000+ lbs per cubic yard. Copper wire is worth $2 to $4 per pound; sell it at a scrap yard rather than landfilling.
Separate copper, aluminum, and brass from steel. Non-ferrous metals are worth significantly more at scrap yards. Use a magnet to sort: magnetic = steel/iron, non-magnetic = aluminum, copper, brass, stainless. Consider selling to a scrap yard instead of using a dumpster.
Dried latex paint is accepted; oil-based paint is hazardous waste. Learn the rules for each type and find recycling programs.
Paint cans are rarely a significant weight concern. A gallon of paint weighs 8 to 12 lbs. A collection of 20 old cans weighs 50 to 100 lbs. Paint cans are almost always a small part of a larger cleanout.
Dry out latex paint before loading: remove the lid and air-dry, or add kitty litter to solidify. Separate oil-based paint for HHW facility disposal. Never pour liquid paint into a dumpster. Use PaintCare drop-off locations for free recycling.
Chemicals, solvents, automotive fluids, batteries, asbestos, and other regulated materials. NEVER accepted in any dumpster.
Not applicable: hazardous materials are prohibited from all dumpsters. This guide helps you identify hazardous items and find proper disposal through household hazardous waste (HHW) programs.
Set aside any items with hazardous warning labels (DANGER, WARNING, POISON, FLAMMABLE) for separate disposal at HHW facilities. Auto parts stores accept motor oil for free. PaintCare locations accept all paint types.
The following items cannot go in any dumpster due to federal, state, and local environmental regulations. Disposing of prohibited items can result in fines, cleanup fees, and project delays.
Chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, industrial solvents
Liquid paint, lacquer, and wood stain. Dried latex paint in cans may be accepted.
Motor oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, antifreeze, gasoline
Car batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and other rechargeable batteries
Car, truck, and equipment tires (accepted for a surcharge in some areas)
Needles, syringes, pharmaceuticals, biohazard materials
Insulation, floor tiles, siding, and roofing materials containing asbestos
Refrigerators, freezers, AC units, and anything containing refrigerant
Tanks of any size, even if believed to be empty
Fireworks, flares, ammunition, and explosive devices
Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (contain mercury)
Smoke detectors with radioactive elements, industrial sources
Not sure about an item? When in doubt, set it aside and ask our team before placing it in the dumpster. We are happy to help you determine proper disposal methods for questionable items. Call us or use the chat on our website.
Maximize your space, stay within weight limits, and avoid overfill charges with these expert loading tips.
Place large, flat items like plywood, drywall, and doors on the bottom to create a stable base. This maximizes vertical space for bulkier items on top.
Disassemble furniture, break down boxes, and cut branches to manageable lengths. Breaking down items can reduce your volume by 30 to 50 percent and may save you from needing a larger dumpster.
Spread heavy items across the entire floor of the dumpster rather than piling everything in one corner. Uneven loading makes hauling dangerous and may require repositioning before pickup.
Nothing should extend above the top edge of the dumpster walls. Overfilled dumpsters cannot be legally transported and will require leveling before pickup, which may result in an additional fee.
Even one prohibited item can delay your pickup and result in additional fees. When in doubt, set the item aside and check with our team before placing it in the dumpster.
Most roll-off dumpsters have a swing door on one end. Open it to walk heavy items in at ground level rather than lifting them over the top. Close and latch the door before the dumpster is picked up.
Now that you know what goes in, get a free quote and schedule your delivery. Most orders delivered within 24 hours.
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