What Can Go in Your Dumpster?

Complete guide to acceptable and prohibited items for Northern Virginia dumpster rentals

Know before you throw - ensure safe and legal disposal

Quick Reference: What Goes Where

At-a-glance guide to help you sort your items properly

✅ Generally Acceptable

Standard items with no extra fees

• Household furniture• Construction debris• Yard waste (moderate amounts)• General household trash• Carpeting & flooring• Drywall & insulation

💰 Surcharge Items

Acceptable with additional fees

• Appliances (refrigerators, washers)• Electronics (TVs, computers)• Tires (passenger vehicle)• Lead acid car batteries

❌ Strictly Prohibited

Never allowed - safety hazards

• Hazardous chemicals• Lithium batteries• Asbestos materials• Medical waste• Firearms & ammunition• Flammable liquids

Acceptable Items - No Extra Fees

These items are included in your base dumpster rental price

🏠

General Household Items

Common household items and furniture that can be safely disposed of in your dumpster.

Furniture & Household Goods

• Couches, chairs, tables• Dressers, nightstands, bookshelves• Clothing, personal items• Housewares, dishes, plastics• Books, papers, documents• Toys, sporting goods
🏗️

Construction & Demolition

Building materials and construction debris from renovation and demolition projects.

Building Materials

• Lumber, wood, plywood• Drywall, sheetrock, plaster• Insulation (non-asbestos)• Roofing materials (shingles)• Wiring, pipes, metal• Windows, doors, trim
🌳

Yard & Landscaping Debris

Organic waste and landscaping materials from yard cleanup projects.

Organic Materials

• Tree branches, limbs• Grass clippings, leaves• Garden debris, plants• Shrub trimmings• Mulch, soil (small amounts)• Sod (limited quantities)
♻️

Recyclable Materials

Materials that will be properly recycled through our disposal process.

Recyclables

• Paper, cardboard, magazines• Plastic containers, bottles• Glass bottles, jars• Metal cans, aluminum• Scrap metal, steel• Carpeting, padding

Items with Additional Surcharges

These items are accepted but require extra processing fees

Why Surcharges Apply

Some items require special handling, transportation, or disposal methods that go beyond standard waste processing. Our surcharges cover these additional costs to ensure proper, legal, and environmentally responsible disposal.

✅ Benefits of Our Service

• Professional removal from your property• Proper recycling and disposal• No need to find specialized disposal sites• Environmentally responsible processing• Save time and transportation costs

Refrigerated Appliance

(Refrigerator, Freezer, A/C Unit, Dehumidifier)

$100 per item

Washer or Dryer

$50 per item

TV < 25' or Computer/Monitor

$25 per item

TV > 25 inches

$50 per item

Propane Tank

(20 lbs. or less)

$50 per item

Lead Acid Car Batteries

$50 per item

Car/Truck Tire

(Any type of tire)

$50 per item

Strictly Prohibited Items

These items are never accepted due to safety and legal restrictions

☣️

Hazardous & Chemical Materials

Dangerous substances that pose health and environmental risks

• Industrial chemicals & solvents• Non-latex paints & lacquers• Pesticides & herbicides• Motor oil & automotive fluids• Propane tanks & gas cylinders• Fluorescent lightbulbs
Alternative: Contact Loudoun County Household Hazardous Waste facility
🔋

Batteries & Electronic Hazards

Battery types and electronic items with toxic components

• Lithium batteries (all types)• Cell phone batteries• Laptop & tablet batteries• Power tool batteries• UPS backup batteries• Solar panel batteries
Alternative: Electronics retailers often accept batteries for recycling
🏥

Medical & Biohazard Waste

Materials that pose infection or contamination risks

• Medical needles & sharps• Prescription medications• Medical equipment• Expired medical supplies• Any potentially infectious materials• Dead animals
Alternative: Contact your healthcare provider or local pharmacy
🔥

Flammable & Explosive Materials

Items that pose fire or explosion hazards during transport

• Gasoline, diesel, kerosene• Fireworks & explosives• Ammunition & firearms• Compressed gas cylinders• Flammable cleaning products• Asbestos-containing materials
Alternative: Contact local fire department for guidance

Special Considerations for Heavy Materials

Important guidelines for concrete, brick, and other dense materials

⚠️

Weight Limit Guidelines

Our 16 to 20 yard dumpsters include up to 2 tons of debris. Heavy materials can exceed this limit quickly, even when the dumpster appears to have space.

🧱

Concrete, Brick, Stone

Extremely heavy materials that should only fill 25% of dumpster space

Rule: Call us before disposal to discuss options and avoid overage fees
🌱

Soil, Sod, Dirt

Can be very heavy when wet and may require special dumpsters

Rule: Limited quantities only - consult before loading
🏠

Roofing Materials

Shingles and roofing materials are heavier than they appear

Rule: Full roof tear-offs may require multiple dumpsters

Best Practices for Dumpster Loading

Tips to maximize your dumpster space and avoid problems

📏

Don't Overfill

Keep all items below the top edge of the dumpster. Overfilled containers cannot be safely transported and may result in additional fees.

📦

Load Efficiently

Break down large items when possible. Place heavy items on the bottom and fill hollow spaces with smaller debris to maximize capacity.

⚖️

Distribute Weight

Spread heavy items throughout the dumpster rather than concentrating them in one area. This ensures safe transport and prevents exceeding weight limits.

📞

When in Doubt, Ask

If you're unsure about any item, call us before disposal. We're happy to provide guidance and help you avoid any issues.

Ready to Dispose Responsibly?

Order your dumpster with confidence knowing what goes where

🗑️ Need Help Sorting Your Items?

Our experienced team can help you determine what goes in your dumpster and what needs alternative disposal methods.

📅 Order Your Dumpster📞 Ask About Items

📞 Item Questions

888-971-WORX
Expert guidance available

✅ Most Items Accepted

General Debris
No extra fees for most items

♻️ Responsible Disposal

Eco-Friendly
Proper recycling & disposal

📍 Northern Virginia

Local Service
We know local regulations