Icon Dumpsters
← Back to Blog

What You Can Put in a Dumpster? Ultimate Guide

Learn what materials can be rolled off the dumpster while avoiding overweight or contamination fees.

If you are renting a roll-off dumpster in Utah, one of the most common questions you will get is:

What can I actually throw out?

Knowing what is permitted and what is not can help you avoid contamination fees, overweight charges, and rejected loads.

Here is the complete guide to what you can or cannot put in a dumpster.

General items you CAN put in a dumpster

Residential projects and most construction projects produce general debris that is completely accepted in roll-off containers.

Junk from the House

  • Mattresses

  • Couches

  • Chairs

  • Tables

  • Clothing

  • Toys

  • Non-hazardous household clutter

Great for estate cleanouts and home cleanups.

Check out Residential Dumpster Rental Services.

Debris from Construction and Renovation

  • Drywall

  • Wood

  • Framing lumber

  • Cabinets

  • Flooring

  • Carpet

  • Insulation

  • Roofing shingles

If you’re remodeling or replacing a roof, then a 20-yard dumpster is usually recommended.

Learn more at our Roofing Dumpster Rental page.

Yard Waste

  • Branches

  • Shrubbery

  • Debris from small trees

  • Materials from landscaping

(If your project has heavy dirt or concrete, see below for disposal instructions.)

Heavy Materials (Special Rules Apply)

Concrete, Brick, Asphalt, Dirt

Due to weight restrictions, you will most likely need a 10 yard concrete dumpster for these materials.

Concrete and heavy debris MUST be kept separate from regular trash.

If your project consists of concrete removal, tell us when you book.

You can use our Concrete Dumpster & Weight Guide to help you estimate your heavy debris needs, or look at the common dumpster weights and dimensions.

Stuff You CANNOT Put in a Dumpster

Some materials cannot be disposed of in a dumpster for safety and environmental reasons.

Hazardous Materials

  • Paint (liquid)

  • Chemicals

  • Solvents

  • Gasoline

  • Oil

  • Pesticides

  • Asbestos

These need different disposal methods.

Electronics

  • TVs

  • Monitors

  • Computers

  • Laptops

In the state of Utah, many electronics are required to be recycled separately.

Tires & Batteries

These are often the reason landfills are restricted, and they must be recycled separately.

Appliances with Refrigerants

  • Refrigerators

  • Freezers

  • Air conditioners

These often need special handling because of the regulations on refrigerants.

How to Prevent Extra Charges

To avoid extra fees, do the following:

  • Don’t overfill past the fill line

  • Don’t mix construction waste with regular household waste

  • Don’t put restricted waste in the dumpster

  • Load the dumpster evenly

Dumpster Rentals in Salt Lake City & Utah

Icon Dumpsters offers roll-off dumpster rentals to the following locations:

  • Salt Lake City

  • Sandy

  • Draper

  • Holladay

  • Millcreek

  • Ogden

  • Other Utah cities

If you are doing a home cleanout, a renovation, a roofing project, or a construction project, we can assist you in picking the right dumpster and proper disposal of your waste.

Get a Dumpster Quote Now

There are many reasons to understand what can and cannot go in a dumpster to keep your project on schedule and avoid added expenses.