What Can Go in the Dumpster?
Knowing what's allowed keeps your project moving and helps you avoid contamination or overage fees. Here's a clear breakdown of the waste types we handle, plus what's accepted and prohibited.
Types of Waste We Handle
Most construction, renovation, and cleanout material goes straight in the container. Here's what each common type is — and what it requires, from weight limits to special prep.
Metal
Scrap metal, steel framing, piping, rebar, ductwork, and metal fixtures.
Requires: Fully accepted and recyclable — we divert metal for recovery. It's dense, so heavy loads can reach container weight limits quickly.
Wood & Lumber
Framing lumber, plywood, pallets, trim, and untreated wood.
Requires: Accepted in any container. Clean, untreated wood can be diverted for recycling; treated, stained, or painted wood is fine in a mixed load.
Concrete, Brick & Masonry
Concrete, cinder block, brick, stone, and asphalt.
Requires: Very heavy — usually needs a dedicated "clean" load with a lower fill line, and often a smaller container to stay within weight limits. Ask about clean-concrete pricing.
Roofing & Shingles
Asphalt shingles, tear-off debris, felt, and underlayment.
Requires: Accepted but very heavy — weight limits are reached fast. A 15–20 yard container is typically right-sized for a re-roof.
Drywall & Construction Debris
Sheetrock, insulation, framing offcuts, flooring, and general remodeling waste.
Requires: Standard accepted material with no special handling — the bread-and-butter of most roll-off loads.
Household Junk & Furniture
Furniture, mattresses, carpet, cabinets, and general clutter from cleanouts.
Requires: Accepted. Mattresses and box springs may carry a small per-item fee in some areas — ask when you book.
Yard & Landscaping Waste
Brush, branches, limbs, leaves, sod, and dirt.
Requires: Accepted. Soil, sod, and dirt are heavy — a dirt-only load may need a dedicated container and lower fill line to meet weight limits.
Appliances
Washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers, and water heaters.
Requires: Accepted as-is. Refrigerators, freezers, and AC units must have refrigerant (Freon) professionally removed and certified before disposal.
Accepted Materials
Construction Debris
Drywall, lumber, plywood, framing, and remodeling waste.
Roofing Materials
Asphalt shingles, underlayment, and tear-off debris.
Concrete & Brick
Concrete, brick, block, and asphalt (heavy-material limits apply).
Wood & Metal
Clean wood, scrap metal, piping, and fixtures.
Household Junk
Furniture, mattresses, carpet, and general clutter.
Yard & Landscaping
Brush, branches, sod, dirt, and green waste.
Prohibited Materials
Hazardous Chemicals
Paint, solvents, oil, pesticides, and cleaning chemicals.
Asbestos
Any asbestos-containing material requires licensed abatement.
Tires
Tires are not accepted in roll-off containers.
Batteries & Electronics
Car batteries, e-waste, and fluorescent bulbs.
Appliances with Freon
Refrigerators, freezers, and AC units (unless de-gassed).
Medical / Biohazard
Sharps, medical waste, and contaminated materials.
Not sure about a specific material? Call us at (423) 660-9828 before your project — we'll confirm what's allowed and help you avoid overage or contamination fees.
Ready to Clean Up? Book Your Dumpster Today.
Competitive pricing, flexible rental periods, and same-week delivery available throughout the Chattanooga area.