In general, the kinds of rubbish that you can dispose of in a dumpster should not be hazardous and toxic. However, there are other limitations on the items that you can throw in the dumpster and that largely depends on the type of dumpster you have rented.
Dumpster rental companies practice segregation and proper waste disposal methods, so they need to ensure that the garbage you discard in the dumpster is appropriate.
Rubbish Items Depending on Dumpster Type
Below is the list or rubbish items you can discard according to dumpster type.
- Residential Dumpster – household rubbish such as pieces of furniture, domestic appliances and electrical devices.
- Construction Dumpster – construction, demolition, and renovation debris like cabinets, counters, flooring, and wood
- Yard Waste Dumpster – green wastes such as wood stumps, dirt, grass clippings, and dried leaves
- Roofing Dumpster – shingles and roofing debris
- Heavy debris dumpster – concrete, asphalt and bricks.
Rubbish Items Not Allowed in Any Dumpster
A number of rubbish items are an absolute no-no in a dumpster because they are hazardous and toxic both to human health and the environment. Below is a list of items that should never be thrown in a dumpster.
Batteries
Batteries contain corrosive and caustic chemicals and metals such as lead acid which is dangerous and toxic. That’s why alkaline batteries, car batteries, rechargeable batteries, and dry-cell batteries alike should be dealt with and disposed of carefully, and that means not in the dumpster.
The best way to handle these hazardous items is to return and recycle them to an auto parts store or to their designated bins.
Paints and Varnish
Paints, varnish, lacquers, thinners, and flammable solvents and materials do not belong in the dumpster. An exemption from this list is latex paints which can be reused and recycled once they’ve solidified.
On the contrary, lead-based and oil-based paints contain dangerous chemicals such as mercury and lead. Flammable solvents are fire hazards in the dumpster. Thus, it is necessary that these items are thrown in their own garbage receptacles and discarded according to EPA guidelines.
Gasoline and Oil
Gasoline, lubricants, petroleum-based products, motor oils, and fuels for industrial equipment are also a big no-no in dumpsters. These are considered hazardous wastes that require proper handling and disposal at designated facilities. Furthermore, gasoline and vehicle oils are flammable which could cause fires or explosions.
Items that can damage the Containers
Items such as printer inks, pen resins, and adhesives can damage the dumpster container. Glues can also cause rubbish to stick to each other and to the container. So, instead of discarding these items into dumpsters, inks and resins can be recycled while adhesives can be thrown in small amounts on your regular trash bins.
Asbestos
Asbestos is used to make the ceiling, roofing, flooring, and insulation flame-resistant. However, this material is highly carcinogenic, thereby posing a health risk to people. Asbestos should, therefore, be discarded properly and not thrown into the dumpster.
Other Hazardous Items
The list of hazardous items is long, but this rubbish category definitely requires proper disposal and safety measures. These hazardous items should not be found in your dumpster:
- Machinery and vehicle refrigerants
- Pesticides
- Incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs
- Cleaning agents
- Propane tanks
Infectious wastes
Biomedical wastes that have been contaminated by human or animal bodily fluids may be detrimental to people’s health when they are thrown in the dumpster. These infectious wastes require expert and special waste handling measures.
Conclusion
Renting a dumpster is more tedious than hiring professional rubbish removalists. The former makes you do the work of throwing each of your rubbish into the dumpster. Moreover, it also requires you to classify them and determine whether they are allowed in the dumpster or not.
With Paul’s Rubbish Removal, you have nothing to worry about. Our team of dedicated rubbish removalists will do everything for you – collection, segregation, disposal, recycling, and treatment. We handle all sorts of wastes including hazardous and toxic items that are not allowed in your dumpsters.
To learn more about our rubbish removal services or to book an appointment, please call us on 0407 125 125 or email us at info@paulsrubbish.com.au and we’ll be happy to provide you with a free quote.
