What Can and Can't Go in a Dumpster?
You might think you can throw anything in a dumpster. It's a dumpster, right? Actually, there's a fairly long list of things that can't go in—and putting prohibited items in can result in extra charges.
Here's what you need to know about dumpster contents in the Boise area.
What You CAN Put in a Dumpster
The good news is most household and construction debris is fine. Generally accepted items include:
Household items: Furniture, appliances (with exceptions noted below), clothing, toys, books, kitchenware, and general household junk.
Construction debris: Lumber, drywall, roofing materials, siding, flooring, insulation (non-asbestos), concrete and brick (with weight considerations).
Yard waste: Branches, brush, grass clippings, leaves, dirt. Some areas prefer separate yard waste disposal, so ask.
General debris: Boxes, packaging, old carpeting, mattresses and box springs (policies vary), electronics (some types—see prohibited list).
What You CAN'T Put in a Dumpster
These items are prohibited in standard dumpsters—either by law, for safety reasons, or because they require special handling:
Hazardous materials: Paint, oil, gasoline, solvents, pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals, automotive fluids, and other hazardous household chemicals. Idaho law prohibits these in regular landfills.
Appliances with refrigerants: Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers contain refrigerants that must be properly removed before disposal. These require special handling.
Tires: Tires aren't accepted at most landfills and require separate recycling. They can be disposed of but need special arrangements.
Batteries: Car batteries, lithium batteries, and other battery types are hazardous waste. They can cause fires in garbage trucks and landfills.
Medical waste: Needles, syringes, medications, and other medical waste require proper disposal through pharmacies or medical waste programs.
Asbestos: Asbestos-containing materials must be handled by licensed contractors and taken to special disposal facilities.
Hot ashes or coals: These can start fires. Make sure any fireplace or fire pit debris is completely cold before disposal.
Why These Rules Exist
The prohibited items list isn't arbitrary. Here's why these restrictions matter:
What Happens If Prohibited Items Are Found
Dumpster loads are often inspected at transfer stations or landfills. If prohibited items are found:
Removal fees. You'll typically be charged $50-150+ to have the item removed and properly disposed of. This is on top of your rental cost.
Load rejection. In some cases, the entire load may be rejected, requiring sorting and additional trips.
Environmental penalties. For serious violations, there can be fines from environmental agencies.
It's not worth hiding prohibited items at the bottom of the dumpster. They're often found, and the hassle and cost isn't worth it.
How to Dispose of Prohibited Items in Ada County
There are proper disposal options for everything on the prohibited list:
Household hazardous waste: Ada County operates a Household Hazardous Waste facility that accepts paint, chemicals, batteries, and other hazardous items from residents.
Appliances with refrigerants: Many appliance recyclers will take these, or they can be taken to the landfill with proper refrigerant removal documentation.
Tires: Tire shops and some recycling centers accept tires for a fee. Some tire shops will take old tires when you buy new ones.
Electronics: Best Buy, Staples, and other retailers have electronics recycling programs. Ada County also holds periodic e-waste collection events.
Medications: Many Boise-area pharmacies have medication take-back programs. The police department also accepts medications.
A Note on Heavy Materials
Some materials are allowed but come with weight considerations:
Concrete, brick, and stone: These are extremely heavy. A dumpster full of concrete will exceed weight limits quickly. If you have a lot of masonry, you may need a special "clean concrete" dumpster.
Roofing materials: Shingles are heavy. A typical residential roof can weigh several tons. Make sure your weight allowance accounts for this.
Dirt and gravel: Like concrete, very heavy. Not usually a good use of a regular dumpster rental.
The Bottom Line
Most of what you're getting rid of during a cleanout or renovation can go in a dumpster. The prohibited items are mainly hazardous materials, refrigerant-containing appliances, and a few specific categories.
When in doubt, ask before you load. A quick call to your rental company can save you from fees and hassle. We'd rather answer a question than deal with a problem load.
If you have prohibited items mixed in with your regular debris, handle those separately through the proper channels. It's not hard—it just takes a little planning.
Questions About What Goes in Your Dumpster?
We're happy to answer questions about specific items before you rent. Call us for a quote and we'll help you plan your project.
Call (208) 361-1982