Welcome to our comprehensive dumpster disposal guide. Whether you are a first-time renter or an experienced contractor, this guide will help you maximize your dumpster rental, avoid costly mistakes, and ensure compliant waste disposal. We have compiled years of industry expertise to bring you practical tips that save time and money.
At BroCo Waste, we believe informed customers make better decisions. This guide covers everything from basic disposal rules to advanced strategies for efficient waste management on your project.
Understanding Dumpster Disposal Basics
Before you start loading your dumpster, it is important to understand the fundamental principles that govern waste disposal. These rules exist to protect public health, preserve the environment, and comply with federal, state, and local regulations.
Why Disposal Rules Matter
Disposal regulations are not arbitrary bureaucratic requirements. They serve critical purposes including preventing groundwater contamination, reducing air pollution from improper burning or processing, protecting landfill workers from hazardous exposures, and ensuring materials are recycled or disposed of properly.
Three Categories of Waste
General Waste
Most household and construction materials fall into this category. These items can be safely mixed and disposed of in standard dumpsters. Examples include furniture, construction debris, yard waste, and non-hazardous household items.
Special Waste
Items requiring special handling but not considered hazardous. This includes electronics, appliances with refrigerants, tires, and mattresses. These often incur additional fees or require separate disposal arrangements.
Hazardous Waste
Materials that pose risks to human health or the environment. These are strictly prohibited in dumpsters and must go to specialized facilities. Examples include chemicals, paint, batteries, and asbestos.
Weight Limits and Overage Charges
Every dumpster rental includes a weight allowance based on the container size. Exceeding this limit results in overage charges, typically calculated per ton. Understanding weight distribution helps you stay within limits and avoid unexpected fees.
Pro Tip: Heavy materials like concrete, brick, and dirt add weight quickly. For projects involving these materials, consider ordering a dedicated debris box or splitting loads across multiple dumpsters.
Accepted Materials in Detail
Most common household and construction materials are acceptable in our dumpsters. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of what you can safely dispose of.
Construction and Demolition Debris
Construction materials make up the bulk of dumpster rentals. Accepted items include lumber and dimensional wood, drywall and sheetrock (both new and demolished), plaster and lath, wooden studs and framing materials, interior trim and molding, and subflooring.
Important Note: Treated lumber and painted wood are acceptable, but they may be subject to different processing requirements at the landfill. Always inform us if you have large quantities of treated materials.
Roofing Materials
Roofing projects generate significant waste. You can dispose of asphalt shingles, tar paper and underlayment, flashing (aluminum, copper, or galvanized), gutters and downspouts, and roof decking and sheathing.
Weight Consideration: Roofing shingles are surprisingly heavy. A typical roof tear-off can easily exceed weight limits. Discuss your project details with us to ensure you have adequate capacity.
Flooring Materials
All common flooring types are acceptable including carpet and carpet padding, ceramic and porcelain tile, hardwood flooring, laminate and vinyl flooring, linoleum, and tile adhesive and thinset.
Furniture and Household Items
During cleanouts and moves, you can dispose of upholstered furniture (couches, chairs, recliners), wooden furniture (tables, dressers, cabinets), mattresses and box springs (may incur small additional fee), metal bed frames, plastic storage containers and bins, and home decor items.
Appliances
Most appliances are acceptable with special considerations. Washers and dryers can be disposed of normally. Stoves and ovens are acceptable (gas lines must be disconnected). Dishwashers are fine to dispose of.
Special Requirement: Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners containing Freon must have the refrigerant professionally removed before disposal. This is an EPA requirement. We can provide referrals to certified technicians.
Yard Waste
Landscaping debris is acceptable including tree branches and limbs (under 4 inches diameter), leaves and grass clippings, brush and shrub trimmings, sod and topsoil in moderate amounts, and small tree stumps (under 12 inches diameter).
Best Practice: For major tree removal projects, consider ordering a yard waste specific dumpster. This often results in lower disposal costs as yard waste can be composted rather than landfilled.
Prohibited Items and Alternatives
Understanding prohibited items helps you avoid fees, fines, and environmental violations. Here is what cannot go in your dumpster and where it should go instead.
Hazardous Chemicals
Prohibited: Paint (liquid), solvents, pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals, automotive fluids, cleaning products.
Where to Take Them: Philadelphia hosts regular household hazardous waste collection events. Check the city website for schedules. Many paint stores also accept old paint. Auto parts stores often take used oil and automotive fluids.
Exception for Paint: Completely dried latex paint cans with lids removed ARE acceptable. To dry paint quickly, add cat litter or sawdust to the can and let it harden for 24-48 hours.
Electronics and E-Waste
Prohibited: Televisions, computer monitors, CPUs and hard drives, printers and scanners, cell phones and tablets.
Where to Take Them: Best Buy offers free electronics recycling. Staples accepts many electronic items. Local recycling centers often have e-waste drop-off programs. Some items can be donated to schools or nonprofits if still functional.
Batteries
Prohibited: Car batteries, rechargeable batteries, lithium batteries, alkaline batteries in bulk.
Where to Take Them: Auto parts stores accept car batteries (often with a core charge refund). Home Depot and Lowes have battery recycling programs. Call2Recycle offers drop-off locations throughout Philadelphia.
Tires
Prohibited: All vehicle tires regardless of size or condition.
Where to Take Them: Tire retailers accept old tires when you purchase new ones. Some automotive service centers offer tire disposal for a small fee. Local recycling centers may accept tires during special events.
Asbestos-Containing Materials
Prohibited: Asbestos insulation, asbestos siding, asbestos floor tiles, any material suspected to contain asbestos.
Critical Warning: Asbestos requires professional abatement. Never attempt to remove or dispose of asbestos yourself. Licensed contractors must handle all asbestos removal and disposal. Violations carry severe penalties.
Medical Waste
Prohibited: Needles and syringes, prescription medications, biohazard materials, medical equipment.
Where to Take Them: Pharmacies often have medication take-back programs. Hospitals may accept sharps containers. Contact your local health department for medical waste disposal guidance.
Best Practices for Loading Your Dumpster
Proper loading techniques maximize space, ensure safe transport, and help you avoid overage charges. Follow these proven strategies from waste management professionals.
Strategic Loading Order
Start with flat items on the bottom to create a stable base. Place heavy materials like concrete or dirt in first (they settle at the bottom naturally). Add bulky items next, breaking them down when possible. Fill gaps with smaller debris and loose materials. Top off with light, compressible materials.
Breaking Down Materials
Take time to break down large items. Flatten cardboard boxes completely. Disassemble furniture when practical. Cut long materials to fit better. Compress materials when possible. This simple step can increase your effective capacity by 30 percent or more.
The Fill Line Rule
Every dumpster has a fill line indicating the maximum safe fill level. Never load above this line. Overfilled dumpsters cannot be transported safely. Our drivers will not pick up overfilled containers, and you will need to remove excess material before pickup.
Safety Note: Material extending above the sides creates dangerous road hazards. It is also illegal to transport overloaded dumpsters on public roads. Keep all material level with or below the top edge.
Distribute Weight Evenly
Avoid concentrating heavy materials in one area. Spread weight throughout the container. This prevents tipping during pickup and ensures safe transport. If you have a large quantity of heavy materials, inform us during booking so we can provide appropriate equipment.
Access and Safety
Keep the area around your dumpster clear for safe loading. Ensure adequate lighting if loading during evening hours. Wear appropriate safety equipment (gloves, closed-toe shoes, eye protection). Never allow children to play on or near dumpsters. Keep the dumpster lid closed when not in use to prevent unauthorized dumping and weather intrusion.
Money-Saving Tips
Smart planning and execution can significantly reduce your dumpster rental costs. Here are proven strategies to maximize value.
Choose the Right Size
Ordering too small means paying for a second rental. Ordering too large wastes money on unused space. Discuss your project in detail with our team to select the optimal size. We can often predict your needs based on the project type and square footage.
Separate Recyclables
Ask about recycling discounts. Clean metal, concrete, and certain other materials can sometimes be recycled, potentially reducing your disposal costs. Even if separate recycling is not practical, keeping recyclables on top makes it easier for sorting at the facility.
Timing Your Rental
Order your dumpster to arrive when you are ready to load it. Having it sit empty costs you rental days. Plan your project timeline to maximize your rental period. If you need an extension, call before your pickup date as same-day extensions are often more expensive.
Avoid Prohibited Items
Disposal of prohibited items discovered at the landfill results in additional fees passed to you. These fees can be substantial. Take time to properly sort and dispose of prohibited items separately. The small effort saves significant money.
Consolidate Debris
Rather than renting multiple times for small projects, consider waiting until you have accumulated enough material for a single rental. The per-ton cost decreases as you approach the weight limit without exceeding it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learning from others' mistakes saves you time, money, and frustration. Here are the most common dumpster rental errors we see.
Mistake 1: Not Planning Placement
Placing your dumpster too far from your work area creates extra work. Consider proximity to the work area, surface stability (avoid soft ground), clearance overhead (trees, power lines), and accessibility for the delivery truck. Our drivers need clear access for safe placement and pickup.
Mistake 2: Loading Liquid Paint
This is the number one prohibited item violation. Remember: completely dry paint with lids removed is acceptable. Liquid paint is not. When in doubt, dry it out or take it to a hazardous waste facility.
Mistake 3: Underestimating Weight
Dirt, concrete, and roofing materials are much heavier than they appear. A small amount can quickly exceed weight limits. Always discuss heavy materials during your initial consultation. We can recommend appropriate container sizes or suggest splitting loads.
Mistake 4: Not Reading Rental Agreement
Your rental agreement specifies rental period, weight limits, prohibited items, and your responsibilities. Taking five minutes to read it prevents misunderstandings and ensures compliance.
Mistake 5: Waiting Until the Last Minute
While we offer same-day delivery when possible, availability is not guaranteed during peak seasons. Book your dumpster 2-3 days in advance when possible. This ensures you get your preferred delivery time and container size.
Philadelphia and South Jersey Regulations
Local regulations add another layer to disposal rules. Understanding regional requirements ensures compliance and avoids penalties.
Philadelphia City Requirements
Dumpsters placed on public streets require permits from the Streets Department. Permits typically take 3-5 business days to process. Dumpsters on private property generally do not require permits. Some neighborhoods have additional restrictions. Check with your local civic association or call us for guidance.
South Jersey Regulations
Requirements vary by municipality. Most towns require permits for street placement. Some communities have restrictions on dumpster placement duration. Contact your local building or public works department, or let us guide you through your specific municipality's requirements.
HOA and Condo Regulations
If you live in a community with a homeowners association or condo board, check their rules before ordering a dumpster. Many have specific requirements regarding placement location, duration, and even container appearance. Obtaining approval in advance prevents conflicts and potential fines.
Special Disposal Situations
Some projects require special consideration. Here is guidance for unique disposal scenarios.
Estate Cleanouts
Estate cleanouts often involve mixed materials from multiple generations. Consider donating usable items first to reduce disposal volume. Watch for prohibited items like old paint cans, chemicals, and medications. Allow extra time to sort through items carefully. A 20 or 30-yard dumpster typically handles a standard home cleanout.
Storm Damage Cleanup
After severe weather, demand for dumpsters spikes. Call as soon as possible to reserve your container. Document damage for insurance before disposal. Separate valuable salvageable materials. Be aware that storm debris often includes prohibited items like damaged propane tanks or chemical containers.
Commercial Construction
Large construction projects may require multiple dumpsters or swap-out service. Discuss your project timeline with us to develop an efficient waste management plan. Proper planning reduces site congestion and keeps your project on schedule.
Seasonal Considerations
Spring and summer are peak seasons for dumpster rentals. Book early for best availability. Winter weather can affect pickup schedules. Snow and ice may require additional time for safe pickup. Communicate with us about weather concerns. Fall leaf cleanup generates significant yard waste volume. Consider dedicated yard waste containers for better pricing.
Still Have Questions?
Our experienced team has seen it all and is ready to help with your specific situation. Do not hesitate to call with questions, no matter how small they seem. Proper planning and communication ensure smooth, compliant disposal for your project.