Knowing what's allowed in your dumpster before you start loading saves you from contamination fees, rejected loads, and trips to a special disposal site. The rule of thumb: ordinary household, construction, and yard debris is fine; anything hazardous, liquid, or with refrigerant is not.
What you can throw away
- Household junk — furniture, boxes, clothing, toys, non-electronic décor
- Construction & demolition (C&D) debris — drywall, lumber, flooring, cabinets, fixtures
- Roofing debris — asphalt shingles, underlayment (heavy, so watch the weight)
- Yard waste — branches, brush, leaves, sod (where accepted)
- Heavy inert material — concrete, brick, dirt, and tile (best in a 10-yard for weight reasons)
What can't go in
- Hazardous waste — paint, solvents, oil, chemicals, pesticides, asbestos
- Flammable or reactive items — propane tanks, gasoline, aerosols
- Tires and batteries
- Appliances with refrigerant — refrigerators, freezers, AC units (unless the refrigerant is professionally removed first)
- Electronics / e-waste — TVs, monitors, computers (banned from California landfills)
- Wet paint and any free liquids
- Medical waste
Items that need a second look
- Mattresses — usually accepted, but some facilities charge a recycling fee; tell us when you book so there are no surprises.
- Appliances without refrigerant — washers, dryers, and stoves are generally fine.
- Electronics — keep them out and drop them at a local e-waste event instead.
Why it matters
Prohibited items don't just risk a fee — they can get the whole load rejected at the transfer station, which delays your pickup. Mixing hazardous material into general debris is the most common cause of an unexpected charge. When in doubt, set it aside and ask us; we'll tell you the right way to dispose of it.
Construction debris in Contra Costa County
For remodels, tear-offs, and new builds, a rental dumpster is the simplest way to handle construction debris removal. Heavy C&D and roofing fill the weight allowance quickly, so size for weight and keep materials separated where you can. Reserve online and we'll deliver across Contra Costa County with clear upfront pricing.
