What Can Go in a Dumpster?
Review our comprehensive Mid-Atlantic guidelines for accepted materials, prohibited items, and waste that requires special handling. Avoid unexpected landfill fees by knowing exactly what you can and cannot throw in your roll-off dumpster rental.
✅ Allowed Materials
Household Junk
Perfect for major decluttering projects. Our residential dumpsters are ideal for disposing of extra junk, old toys, clothing, and general non-hazardous household debris from garage or basement cleanouts.
Construction Waste
We cater to both residential DIY remodels and commercial job sites. Drywall, siding, framing materials, cabinetry, and general construction debris are fully accepted.
Roofing Debris
Roll-off containers are incredibly helpful for roof tear-offs. Asphalt shingles and underlayment are accepted, though heavy jobs may require specific sizing to accommodate the immense weight.
Wood Scraps
Untreated wood scraps and lumber are completely acceptable. (Note: Heavily chemically treated wood may have restrictions depending on your local county regulations).
Yard Waste
Branches, leaves, shrubs, and storm debris are generally accepted. It is important to specify if you are loading massive tree stumps so we can provide the correct weight allowance.
Disaster Debris
We Got Dumpsters acts as a first responder during community recovery. Flood-damaged materials, wind-blown debris, and ruined interiors can be safely disposed of in our containers.
🚫 Prohibited Items (Strictly Banned)
By law, the following hazardous materials cannot be placed in any dumpster. Disposing of these items can result in severe environmental contamination and hefty fines for the customer.
Wet Paint & Solvents
Liquid paint contaminates groundwater and is highly flammable. (Dry, hardened paint cans are allowed).
Gasoline & Motor Oil
Highly toxic. Even small quantities can contaminate drinking water. Must be recycled at auto facilities.
Freon Appliances
Refrigerators and AC units contain Freon, an ozone-depleting chemical, and are banned from general roll-offs.
Propane Tanks
Even empty tanks pose a severe explosion risk when crushed at the landfill. Contact your fire department for disposal.
Medical Waste
Biohazards put sanitation workers at risk of infection. Must be handled by specialized medical waste agencies.
Household Chemicals
Bleach, industrial cleaners, pesticides, and sanitizers cannot go to standard landfills.
Electronics & Computers
E-waste contains lead and mercury. TVs, computers, and microwaves require proper e-recycling.
Hot Water Tanks
These bulky appliances have empty spaces that trap harmful, explosive gases.
⚠️ Conditional Items (Fees or Special Rules Apply)
Tires, Mattresses & Box Springs
These items do not decompose properly and cause mechanical issues at landfills. We do accept them, but they carry per-item fees (e.g., $95 per mattress, $60-$75 per tire). Please refer to our Rates Page or inform dispatch before loading them.
Heavy Debris (Dirt, Concrete, Brick)
Clean dirt, concrete, and asphalt are incredibly heavy and will immediately exceed the weight limits of standard 20 or 30-yard dumpsters. You MUST rent a specialized 10-Yard Heavy Debris Dumpster for these materials to avoid massive overage charges.
Upholstered Furniture & Flooring
Most furniture and flooring (carpet, wood) are accepted. However, specific types of treated laminate or heavily upholstered items may face restrictions in certain Mid-Atlantic counties. Always ask your local representative if you are clearing out a whole house of furniture.
Regional Mid-Atlantic Restrictions
Dumpster regulations vary from city to city and county to county. For instance, the landfill regulations in Washington DC may differ slightly from the rules in suburban Maryland (Montgomery/PG County), Northern Virginia, or Philadelphia. It is always advisable to inquire with your We Got Dumpsters representative regarding any hyper-local restricted items in your specific zip code.
Still Unsure About an Item?
Don’t guess and risk a fine. Call our experts—we’ll tell you exactly how to dispose of it safely.