What can and cannot go in a dumpster
Most of what comes out of a house or a jobsite is fine. The short banned list below is set by the landfill and by Georgia law, not by us, and putting something on it in the can costs you a contamination fee.
Accepted
- Household junk, furniture and mattresses
- Carpet, flooring, drywall and trim
- Roofing shingles and underlayment
- Lumber, framing and siding
- Cabinets, countertops and fixtures
- Yard waste, brush and storm debris
- Plaster, lath and old insulation
- Fencing, decking and sheds
Not accepted
- TiresLandfills charge a separate per-tire fee and will refuse a mixed load.
- Paint, stains and solventsLiquid waste is banned. Dried-out latex cans are sometimes accepted; ask first.
- Chemicals and pesticidesHousehold hazardous waste goes to a county collection event.
- BatteriesCar and lithium batteries both. Auto parts stores take car batteries free.
- Appliances with refrigerantFridges, freezers and AC units need the refrigerant reclaimed first.
- Televisions and monitorsElectronics are banned from Georgia landfills.
- Medical wasteSharps and biohazard material, no exceptions.
- AsbestosRequires a licensed abatement contractor and a separate disposal stream.
The weight line matters more than the size
Both our sizes include 2 tons. Volume is rarely what stops you; weight is. Asphalt shingles run about 250 pounds a square, so roughly 16 squares of tear-off reaches 2 tons on its own. Plaster and lath out of an older Savannah house is similar. Furniture and general household junk is light and you will fill the space first.
If you are not sure which side of the line your job falls on, call and describe it. We would rather plan a second pull than have you find out at the scale.
See pricing and overageLoading questions
What can I put in a dumpster?
Almost anything from a normal household or construction job: furniture, carpet, drywall, shingles, lumber, cabinets, yard waste, plaster and general junk. The exceptions are liquids, chemicals, tires, batteries, refrigerant appliances, electronics and medical waste.
How does the 2-ton weight limit work?
Every rental includes 2 tons, which is 4,000 pounds. The loaded can is weighed at the landfill and anything over is billed by the ton at the landfill rate. We show you the scale ticket.
What is 2 tons in practical terms?
A full 12-yard of household junk and furniture rarely reaches it. A roof tear-off often does: asphalt shingles run roughly 250 pounds per square, so about 16 squares hits 2 tons. Plaster, tile, concrete and wet soil all get heavy fast.
Can I put concrete or dirt in the dumpster?
A small amount mixed in is fine. A full load is not, because heavy material passes 2 tons long before the can is full and an overloaded box cannot legally be hauled. Call us first and we will tell you where to stop filling.
Can I put a mattress in a dumpster?
Yes. Mattresses and box springs are accepted in a normal load.
What happens if I put something banned in the can?
The landfill either refuses the load or charges a contamination fee, and that cost passes through to you. If you are unsure about something, call before you throw it in. It takes a minute and it is free.
Can I fill it above the top rail?
No. The load must sit level with the top rail so it can be tarped. An overfilled can is unsafe to haul and we will have to ask you to pull material off before we take it.