Prohibited Items: What You Can't Throw in a Dumpster

Most things people want to get rid of are allowed in a roll-off dumpster. The list of prohibited items is short, but ignoring it can mean a refused load at the landfill, a return fee, or in some cases real environmental and legal trouble.

Here’s the full list, why each item is restricted, and where it should actually go.

Hazardous chemicals

The single biggest category of prohibited items. None of the following can go in a roll-off:

• Solvents — paint thinner, lacquer thinner, acetone
• Pool chemicals — chlorine, muriatic acid, algaecide
• Pesticides and herbicides — household and commercial grade
• Fertilizers in concentrated liquid form
• Cleaning chemicals in liquid form (bleach, ammonia, oven cleaner)
• Drain cleaners and similar caustics
• Antifreeze and coolant

Where they should go: Hazardous waste collection events. Most Texas counties run them at least twice a year, and many cities have permanent dropoff sites. Kendall County and Franklin County both have regular programs — search “[your county] household hazardous waste” for the latest dates.

Paints, stains, and finishes

Paint is the item that catches the most people:

• Liquid latex paint — not allowed
• Oil-based paint — not allowed in any state, ever
• Stains and varnishes — not allowed in liquid form
• Aerosol paint cans — empty only, never partial

The exception: Fully dried-out latex paint cans, with the lid off and the contents fully hardened, are usually accepted as solid waste. The TCEQ-recognized method is to mix the paint with kitty litter or paint hardener until solid, then toss the can. Some homeowners just leave the lid off in the sun — that works for thin layers but takes weeks for a full can.

Oil-based paints have to go through hazardous waste regardless of state.

Petroleum products

• Motor oil — used or new
• Hydraulic fluid
• Transmission fluid
• Brake fluid
• Gasoline, diesel, kerosene
• Propane tanks (even small camping tanks)
• Compressed gas cylinders of any kind

Where they should go: Most auto parts stores (AutoZone, O’Reilly, Advance) accept used motor oil and oil filters for free. Propane tanks should be exchanged or returned to a propane retailer — Tractor Supply locations across Texas are a common option. Compressed gas cylinders go back to the supplier.

Asbestos

This one is serious. If you suspect asbestos in your project — common in homes built before 1980 — stop and assess before any demo:

• Popcorn ceilings in older homes
• Vinyl floor tiles (9x9) and the black mastic underneath
• Pipe and duct insulation (white wraps with rough texture)
• Some siding products (transite/cement-asbestos board)
• Some old roofing products

Asbestos cannot go in a roll-off under any circumstances. It must be removed by a TCEQ-licensed asbestos abatement contractor who handles disposal through a permitted asbestos landfill. The fines for improper disposal are significant.

If you’re unsure whether a material contains asbestos, get it tested before disturbing it. Disturbed asbestos is the danger — common during bathroom remodels and flooring tear-outs on pre-1980 homes.

Tires

Texas state law requires tires to be recycled, not landfilled:

• Car and truck tires (with or without rims)
• Tractor and equipment tires
• Motorcycle and ATV tires

Where they should go: Most tire shops will accept old tires for a small fee per tire (usually a few dollars). Discount Tire, NTB, and most local shops handle this routinely. Texas has a state-funded tire recycling program that processes them into rubber mulch and other products.

Batteries

Batteries leak metals and acids, so they’re separated:

• Car and truck batteries (lead-acid)
• Marine and RV batteries
• Power tool battery packs
• Lithium-ion batteries in any quantity beyond personal-use household
• Alkaline batteries in commercial quantities

Where they should go: Auto parts stores accept car batteries and pay a small core fee. Hardware stores and big-box retailers accept rechargeable batteries through programs like Call2Recycle. Standard alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, etc.) are technically allowed in normal household quantities under Texas rules, but some haulers ask you to bag them.

Electronics in commercial quantity

Household quantities of electronics — a few TVs, an old computer, a printer — are fine in a roll-off. Commercial quantities aren’t:

• Pallets of old computers or monitors
• Bulk e-waste from an office cleanout
• Large quantities of TVs
• Industrial electronics with mercury or other regulated content

Where they should go: Texas has an e-waste recycling program. Best Buy accepts limited quantities of consumer electronics for free. Goodwill takes working electronics. For commercial quantities, contact a licensed e-waste recycler.

Medical waste

Anything with medical hazard exposure is prohibited:

• Sharps (needles, lancets, syringes)
• Prescription medications beyond small household quantities
• Biohazardous material (anything that could carry infectious disease)
• Sealed medical devices (some pacemakers, infusion pumps)

Where they should go: Pharmacies accept used sharps in approved containers. The DEA runs prescription drug takeback events. For ongoing medical waste at home (diabetic supplies, etc.), most counties offer free sharps containers and disposal.

Refrigerators and AC units (with freon)

Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners are fine in a roll-off — but only after the freon has been removed by a certified technician. The cost to do this is small, and most HVAC and appliance shops will do it cheaply.

If we find an appliance with intact refrigerant lines and a sealed compressor, it can’t go to the landfill. The tag should show that freon has been recovered.

Explosives and ammunition

• Live ammunition
• Fireworks
• Flares and signal devices
• Reloading components

Where they should go: Local police departments often accept ammunition for safe disposal. Fireworks should go to hazardous waste events. Flares and similar items should go to specialized recyclers — never landfill.

Radioactive materials

Rare in residential settings, but worth mentioning:

• Old smoke detectors (technically contain trace amounts of americium-241)
• Some older clocks and watches with radium dials
• Industrial radiography sources

Smoke detectors are usually fine in a roll-off in household quantities. Anything industrial or unusual should go through a licensed disposal program.

Animal carcasses

Small animals (a deceased pet from a vet) are usually handled separately by the vet office. Large animals — livestock, horses — have specific TCEQ disposal rules and cannot go in a roll-off.

What to do if you have a question

The pattern across all these items: there is a proper disposal path for each. The roll-off exists for the bulk of normal debris, and the prohibited list exists for items that need specialized handling.

If you’re not sure about something in your project, ask before booking. We’ve been around this enough to know what’s an issue and what isn’t, and we’d rather answer the question than have a load refused at the landfill.

Common things people ask about that are fine: paint cans (dry, lid off), aerosol cans (empty), CFL bulbs in household quantity, household cleaners (in original sealed containers), small amounts of dried sealant or caulk, mattresses, electronics in normal household amounts.

Common things people ask about that aren’t fine: liquid paint, propane tanks, tires, car batteries, freon-still-in appliances, asbestos in any form.

If you’ve got questions about your specific load, give us a holler at (903) 806-4181 or book online and we’ll sort it out before delivery.