Whether you are working on a house renovation, spring cleaning, or just getting rid of old items, knowing what materials can be thrown out in a rental dumpster is important. You may not think so, but common household items and materials need special disposal methods.
Our team at Dumps Easy has compiled a list of items that shouldn’t be disposed of in a rental dumpster to avoid unintentionally receiving fines for improper disposal.
Items Shouldn’t Go in a Rental Dumpster?
While common household waste is okay to dispose of in dumpsters or trash cans, some items with hazardous materials to the environment need to be disposed of through other methods. Most of these materials come with a fine if they are thrown away in a standard rental dumpster, so it is important to know how to dispose of these materials.
1. Old Tires
Throwing old tires in a rental dumpster would be easy, but they actually cannot be disposed of in a dumpster. Tires contain steel belts and can damage trash liners through piercing, which can lead to ground contamination. Old tires should be taken to a specialized recycling or disposal center to be properly disposed of. You will probably have to pay a fee for the disposal, but the fine for improperly disposing of tires is often much higher.
2. Electronic Devices
After you have upgraded to a new device, it may be tempting to throw your old one out in the dumpster, but this is actually not the best choice for disposal. Electronic devices have several materials that can be damaging, including mercury, lead, or cadmium. These chemical compounds can transfer into soil and water sources if they are improperly disposed of. If you are unable to donate your device or give it away, opt to dispose of it at a local recycling center.
3. Car Batteries
While small alkaline batteries can be thrown out in a dumpster, larger car batteries should not go in a dumpster. Similar to electronic devices, car batteries contain dangerous chemicals (acid and lead) and cannot be disposed of due to environmental risks to humans and animals. A common way to dispose of car batteries is actually through an auto shop. Some auto shops require a swap of an old battery with a new one, which is a quick and easy way to dispose of a car battery. If an auto shop won’t take it, a local recycling center should be able to take it and dispose of it properly.
4. Gas, Oil, or Propane Tanks
Just like how you wouldn’t want to pour old gas, oil, or propane tanks in your own garbage can, those materials should not be disposed of in a dumpster rental can. These materials can be extremely dangerous and flammable to garbage cans, trucks, and landfills, so they should go through appropriate channels of disposal. You can call a local hazardous waste organization for instructions on how to get rid of these items. Auto shops may also take oil off your hands to ensure proper disposal.
5. Medical Waste
You probably don’t even realize how much medical waste you dispose of until you are actually trying to dispose of it. In a home setting, medical waste can include used needles or syringes from administering medications, expired medicines, bandages soaked in bodily fluids, and tissues or cotton swabs used for wound care. To dispose of these materials, you can place them in a container and once it is three-quarters full, duct-tape it shut and label do not recycle. After these steps have been completed, you can dispose of it in your household trash. Some garbage collectors may be reluctant to take these materials, so contact your garbage collectors for any specifics from them for medical waste disposal.
6. Old Appliances
Another group of materials that cannot be disposed of in dumpster rentals is appliances. Appliances such as old microwaves, dishwashers, refrigerators, and toaster ovens contain components that are hazardous if they are improperly disposed of. As appliances have become more modern, they include more screens and electronic components that make it harder to dispose of safely. Your local utility company will usually have specific instructions on how to dispose of old appliances according to your state regulations. If the appliance is still working properly, you may consider donating it instead of throwing it away.
7. Asbestos Materials
In homes built before 1980, asbestos was commonly used in the construction process. If you are doing a renovation project on your older home, it is likely that there may be materials that need to be removed that contain asbestos. Asbestos shouldn’t go in a rental dumpster and should instead be disposed of at a local landfill. You will need to call them first to confirm that they accept asbestos waste, and if they do, you will have to deliver it yourself. Another option to remove asbestos material is to use a professional asbestos removal company to remove it from your property.
Get a Rental Dumpster with Dumps Easy
If you are in need of a rental dumpster, give us a call at Dumps Easy. We offer multiple dumpster sizes to choose from to fit your needs. We prioritize the satisfaction of our customers and will work with you one-on-one to ensure a smooth process of dumpster delivery and pickup. Contact us today to reserve your rental dumpster.
