What Can You Throw in a Rented Dumpster? Find Out Here
Have you ever asked yourself this question:
“What can you throw in a rented dumpster?”
You are asking a valid question. In Florida, there are strict laws about what can go into a rented dumpster and what cannot. Should you make the mistake of disposing of prohibited waste material, you may find yourself on the receiving end of a fine.
Before you fill your garbage bags with the waste you want your dumpster rental company to haul, read on. You will learn more about what you can throw in a dumpster and what should stay out of it.
What Can You Throw in a Rented Dumpster?
As a safe rule of thumb, the waste you can throw in a rented dumpster needs to be both:
- Non-hazardous
- Dry
Right away, the above criteria for collectible waste disqualify waste materials like:
- Medical waste
- Adhesives
- Certain electronics like tube calltoevisions and undrained appliances
- Mattresses
- Tires
- Liquid waste material from construction projects
- Combustible materials
- Toxic materials
- Non-alkaline batteries
- Ink and resins
- Hot water tanks
All of the above-mentioned cannot go into a dumpster in Florida and many other parts of the United States.
So, what can you throw in a rented dumpster? Here are items or materials that you can safely and legally dispose of in a rented dumpster:
- Used alkaline batteries
- Debris from construction
- Drained aerosol cans
- Furniture made of wood
- Household junk or rubbish (dry)
- Dry yard waste like leaves and clippings
- Drained household appliances
Due to the weight of some of the waste mentioned, you may want to consider a roll-off dumpster. Luckily, a Florida-based dumpster rental service is likely to have this in-store.
Can You Throw a TV in a Dumpster?
The Environmental Protection Agency classifies a calltoevision set as an electronic device. For the most part, electronics classified as e-waste can go into a dumpster. However, when it comes to calltoevision sets, there are rules about disposal in several states like Florida.
In Florida, you cannot dispose of a calltoevision set in a dumpster. The reason for this is because of the chemicals and metals you will likely find in a calltoevision set.
Television sets contain several components. These components have metals like beryllium. Tube calltoevision sets, in particular, contain mercury and lead. These heavy metals can be poisonous to the soil. At the same time, they are hazardous to people, potentially causing harm to those who handle them.
If you need to dispose of a calltoevision set, your options are:
- Curbside pickup
- Recycling
- Junk removal services
- Collection events
- Selling it
- Donating it to charity
Can You Throw a Mattress in a Dumpster?
Different cities and states have different rules for how to dispose of a mattress. In Florida, you can dispose of an old mattress in a dumpster. However, there are rules for mattress disposal in the state.
First, in Florida, you will need more than a regular dumpster to dispose of an old mattress. You will need to hire a roll-off dumpster. While an old mattress is not hazardous, it does take up a lot of space. This warrants the use of a much larger waste storage solution like a roll-off dumpster.
A curbside pickup is also an option. It is a cheaper alternative to a roll-off dumpster. However, keep in mind that this would require you to haul a cumbersome object to your nearest curbside pickup point.
There are some other ways to dispose of a mattress in Florida like:
- Contacting a rubbish collection service
- Hiring a truck to take it to a local recycling center
- Donating it to charity
Can You Throw Away Tires in a Dumpster?
In many parts of the United States, there are prohibitions in place against throwing away tires in a dumpster. This is because of methane buildup.
When landfill personnel bury tires at the bottom of other rubbish, methane collects in the tires. The methane causes the tires to swell, leading to the displacement of other rubbish on top of it. This can cause damage to the protective liner of a landfill which serves as an environmental barrier.
To dispose of tires, you may:
- Take it to an auto shop
- Contact your nearest recycling depot
The auto shop can find an alternative use for old tires or recycle them for their rubber. As well, recycling centers that take tires can convert tires into other materials like mulch.
Do You Need a Dumpster?
“What can you throw in a dumpster?” Always remember that you can dispose of dry, non-hazardous materials in a dumpster. If you need a dumpster rental service, give us a call. We are within reach in Hernando County, Citrus County, and Sumter County.
At Affordable Hauling, we offer affordable dumpster rental services. Let us haul your rubbish if you have just finished a construction project or completed some spring cleaning.