We know that when you get a bin from Clean Er Up you’re doing it because you’ve got a big mess to clean up. Maybe you’re doing a home renovation and have a lot of old broken tile and drywall you want to get rid of. Maybe you’re doing new construction and you just have so much trash from the process. Or maybe you’re taking on a beast of a yard and will be pulling out stumps. All of this is just the kind of thing that a dumpster in Hamilton CA is for.

But what isn’t allowed in a Hamilton dumpster rental? What products, substances, and chemicals are meant to be disposed of somewhere else?

Here is your comprehensive guide to what can and cannot go into a dumpster in Hamilton CA.

What Can Go Into a Dumpster in Hamilton CA?

This is the easy part, because SO MUCH can go into a dumpster, and we know you’ve been dying to get rid of it. 

General Trash

If you’ve got a question, check the section below, but typically anything that you throw into your trash bin every week can be thrown into a dumpster. There are exceptions for things like glues and adhesives–those should go in your regular trash, not the dumpster–so be sure to read on. But as a rule of thumb, anything you’d toss in the bin under your sink is good to toss in the dumpster.

Furniture

No problems here. It all can go. Couches, tables, chairs.

Appliances

Appliances can go in the dumpster, BUT there are a couple hitches. While you can throw out your washer and dryer, your microwave, your oven and your trash compactor, you will need to make sure that your refrigerator or AC units are free of any freon. (If you don’t know how to remove freon from one of these devices, contact an appliance or HVAC repair specialist and they’ll take care of it for you.)

Electronics

While you can throw away any electronic device in a dumpster, there is a question of how much you can throw away. If you’re just cleaning out a house and getting rid of some TVs and a couple computers, then you’re fine. But if you’re doing a major overhaul of an office space and getting rid of a lot of electronics, you may need to recycle them as e-waste. There are dedicated e-waste recycling companies in Hamilton CA that you can contact who will come to you and pick up old electronics.

Yard Waste

We’ll take any yard waste you can throw at us. If it’s organic, it can go in the dumpster.

Construction Debris

This includes a whole host of things, including bricks, asphalt, stone, shingles, drywall, wood, siding, tile, carpet, and most anything else from a construction site. However, if you are getting rid of a particularly large amount of stone and concrete, please contact us to make sure that it’s not too heavy for our dumpsters.

Other

The list of what can go in a dumpster can go on and on, but things like toys, books, paper, filing cabinets, non-organic trash are all good in the dumpster.

What Can’t Go In a Dumpster in Hamilton CA?

While there’s a lot that can go in a dumpster, there’s a lot that can’t. Here are the items that shouldn’t go in, and suggestions about where else you should dispose of them.

Adhesives

It may seem odd that you can’t throw glue and epoxy away in a dumpster, while you can easily put it in the regular trash. But this is because we don’t want any of the adhesives leaking and gluing things to the inside of the dumpsters. They can be very difficult to remove.

Batteries

Car batteries contain harmful chemicals and should be disposed of either at a recycling center or an auto shop. Lithium batteries, like those found in laptops, should be recycled with an e-waste recycler. Regular alkaline batteries, however, can go in the dumpster.

Corrosive Waste

Corrosive wastes are either acids or bases that can cause severe burns and erode metal. This includes bleach, oven cleaner, and rust remover. They should be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste Center.

Cleaners or Solvents

Cleaners or solvents–even household cleaners–shouldn’t be put into dumpsters. Typically, small amounts can be poured down drains and then you are free to put the empty bottles in the dumpster.

Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury, which is highly toxic and must be recycled. 

Food Waste

Yes, we said that we’ll take anything organic, and we won’t mind if you empty the fridge into the dumpster. However, if it’s a large amount of food waste (if you’re cleaning out inventory at a grocery store or something similar) then that can attract unwanted animals. We recommend either throwing this in the regular trash or sending it to a composting center.

Fuels or Oils

Fuel like gasoline or kerosene, oil, propane tanks, or other combustible and flammable items should not be put in a dumpster. This also includes matches and flares, rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover and other ignitable wastes. Contact the Hamilton fire department about where these items can be dropped off.

Hot Water Heaters

Hot water heaters can contain harmful gases and should not be damaged by throwing it in a dumpster (or throwing something on top of it). If you’re getting rid of a hot water heater, we recommend transporting it carefully to a landfill. 

Biohazardous Waste

Biohazardous wastes contain things that are potentially infectious. This can include blood, animal waste, animal body parts and bodily fluids. It also includes sharps such as needles, glass vials and blades.

Medication

Medications should not be thrown in the trash or put into the water supply (don’t flush them down the toilet). They can be disposed of at the local pharmacy.

Paint or Lacquer

Paint, paint thinner, wood stain, and lacquers cannot go into a dumpster. They should be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste Center.

Printer Ink or Resin

While the ink of a single printer isn’t a problem, if you’re getting rid of a large quantity of ink it should be done through a recycling center. Any amount of resin should be taken to a recycling center.

Railroad Ties and Telephone Poles

Railroad ties and telephone poles are treated with harmful chemicals and are not permitted in most landfills. Some recycling companies will still take them.

Reactive Wastes

Reactive wastes are materials which are unstable under pressure or heat. This includes propane tanks, oxygen tanks, aerosol cans, ammunition and fertilizer. These should be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste Center.

Tires

Tires cannot be thrown in a dumpster as most landfills do not accept them. They can be recycled at an auto shop or tire store, however.

Toxic Wastes

This includes anything that may be dangerous if exposed to the body, inhaled, or swallowed. This includes antifreeze and pesticide. They should be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste Center.

Conclusion

As mentioned above. Most construction, yard or day-to-day trash materials are fine to throw in your dumpster rental. Outside of that, please consult our guide, call us, or contact your local Household Hazardous Waste Center.