Guide
What Can You Put in a Dumpster?
Furniture, household junk, remodel and construction debris, shingles and yard waste all go in. Mattresses, tires and Freon appliances go in for $50 each. Wet paint, batteries and hazardous chemicals are not allowed. Concrete and dirt go only in a 10 or 15-yard, half full.
Can you put it in a dumpster? Item by item
Most household, remodel, roofing and yard debris goes in a roll-off dumpster with no extra fee. Mattresses, tires and Freon appliances go in for $50 each. Wet paint, batteries and hazardous chemicals are not allowed and go to household hazardous waste drop-off instead.
| Item | In the dumpster? | Fee or where it goes instead |
|---|---|---|
| Furniture, couches, tables | Allowed | – |
| Construction and remodel debris | Allowed | – |
| Shingles and roofing | Allowed | – |
| Yard waste, limbs, brush | Allowed | – |
| Concrete, dirt, brick, sand | 10 or 15-yard only, half full | Clean-fill pricing |
| Mattresses and box springs | Allowed, $50 each | Special processing |
| Automotive tires | Allowed, $50 each | Texas regulates scrap tires |
| Refrigerators, freezers, AC units (Freon) | Allowed, $50 each | Refrigerant must be recovered |
| Dried latex paint, empty cans | Allowed | Must be fully dry |
| Wet paint | Not allowed | Household hazardous waste drop-off |
| Batteries (car, lithium, household) | Not allowed | Auto parts store (car) or HHW drop-off |
| Hazardous chemicals, solvents, pesticides, pool chemicals | Not allowed | Household hazardous waste drop-off |
| Asbestos | Not allowed | Licensed abatement contractor |
| Medical waste, propane tanks, fuel | Not allowed | Household hazardous waste drop-off |
Can you put a mattress in a dumpster?
A mattress goes in our dumpsters for $50 each, box springs included at the same rate. Mattresses need special handling at the landfill because the springs tangle equipment. Tell us the count when you book so the fee is on your quote.
Can a refrigerator or AC unit go in a dumpster?
A refrigerator, freezer or AC unit goes in for $50 each. Federal rules require the refrigerant to be recovered before an appliance with Freon is disposed of, so these units are pulled and processed separately. Remove food and tape the doors shut.
Rule: EPA 40 CFR 82.155.
Can tires go in a dumpster?
Automotive tires go in for $50 each. Texas regulates scrap tire storage, transport and disposal, so tires are separated at the landfill. Tires still on rims cost the same; tell us the count when you book.
State program: TCEQ scrap tire program.
Can paint go in a dumpster?
Wet paint is not allowed in our dumpsters. Empty cans and cans of fully dried latex paint can go in. Leave the lid off to dry small amounts, or mix in kitty litter. Oil-based paint and leftover liquid paint go to household hazardous waste collection.
In Pearland, residents take paint and other household hazardous waste to the Stella Roberts Recycling Center, 5800 Magnolia, with a current water bill. City source
Why are batteries banned?
Batteries are not allowed in our dumpsters because they can leak acid or start fires when crushed. Car batteries go back to auto parts stores, which take them for recycling. Household and lithium batteries go to household hazardous waste or retail drop-off.
Pearland residents can drop household batteries at the Stella Roberts Recycling Center, 5800 Magnolia. Source
What happens if a banned item is found?
A banned item found in a dumpster has to come out before the load is dumped, because the landfill can reject it. Tell us about anything you're unsure of before loading. Items that carry a $50 fee are added to the final invoice.
Questions renters ask
Can you put electronics in a dumpster?
Electronics are not on our banned list, but any battery inside must come out first, because batteries are not allowed. Many cities and retailers run free electronics recycling, which is often the better route for TVs and computers.
Can you put carpet in a dumpster?
Carpet and pad go in with no extra fee. Wet carpet is heavy, so it counts heavily toward your included tons.
Can you put a hot water heater in a dumpster?
A water heater goes in with no extra fee because it has no refrigerant. Drain it first; water adds weight.
Can you put propane tanks in a dumpster?
Propane tanks are not allowed because they can explode when crushed. Exchange or return them where you bought them.
Can you put dirt in a dumpster?
Dirt goes only in a 10 or 15-yard dumpster, loaded no higher than halfway. Clean dirt with no trash mixed in qualifies for clean-fill pricing.
Talk to the dispatcher, not a call center
Not sure about an item?
Ask before you load. We'll tell you if it goes in, what it costs, or where to take it.