What Can't Go in a Roll-Off Dumpster
You cannot put hazardous waste, tires, refrigerators or freezers with Freon, car batteries, electronics, liquid waste, medical waste, asbestos, or propane tanks in a roll-off dumpster. Everything else — including most construction debris, household items, yard waste, and furniture — is fair game. If you're unsure, ask before you toss.
Full Prohibited Items List
These items are universally banned from roll-off dumpsters serving Maryland transfer stations and landfills. We've listed the legal alternative for each so you have a complete plan before delivery.
| Item | Why Prohibited | Where to Take It |
|---|---|---|
| Hazardous waste | Toxic to landfill workers and groundwater | Maryland Household Hazardous Waste collection events (Talbot County hosts 2x/year) |
| Tires | Banned from MD landfills; trap methane | Maryland DNR-certified tire recyclers; most auto shops accept for $3–$5 each |
| Refrigerators / freezers / ACs (with Freon) | Federal Clean Air Act prohibits Freon release | Freon-certified appliance recycler; many transfer stations accept once Freon is removed and tagged |
| Car batteries | Lead-acid; corrosive | Auto parts stores accept free with core charge |
| Electronics (TVs, monitors, computers) | Maryland e-waste rules; lead and mercury | Talbot County e-waste drop-off; Best Buy take-back |
| Liquid waste (paint, oil, fuel) | Leaks contaminate the load | Dry out latex paint with kitty litter (then OK); oil and fuel to HHW events |
| Medical waste / sharps | Bio-hazard regulations | Pharmacy take-back programs; sharps containers at clinics |
| Asbestos | Federal NESHAP regulations; requires licensed abatement | Licensed asbestos abatement contractor |
| Propane tanks | Explosion risk | Propane refill stations accept old tanks; some hardware stores |
Usually Prohibited — Sometimes Allowed
- Paint: Dried latex paint OK in cans; wet paint not allowed
- Treated lumber: Generally OK in roll-off; not allowed in burn piles
- Small electronics: A few stray items often pass; full e-waste loads do not
What Happens If You Include Prohibited Items
When the load is dumped, the transfer station inspects it. Anything prohibited triggers a dump-refusal surcharge — typically $100 to $300 — plus the actual cost of the proper disposal channel for that item. For asbestos or large hazardous loads, environmental fines can run into the thousands. The fix is simple: if you're unsure about an item, call us before you throw it in.
Items That Weigh More Than You Think
These materials are allowed but dense — they fill a dumpster by weight long before they fill it by volume. For dense debris, always size down. A 10 yard full of concrete weighs more than a 30 yard full of furniture.
| Material | Approx Density | Sizing Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete / brick | ~4,000 lb/yd³ | Use a 10 yard — fills it to weight before volume |
| Dirt / soil | ~2,000 lb/yd³ | Use a 10 yard; never fill higher than 75% of a larger dumpster |
| Roofing shingles | ~400 lb/sq (100 sq ft) | 20 yard handles ~30 squares; size down for tear-offs over 35 squares |
| Drywall | ~500 lb/yd³ | Volume usually fills before weight; size by room count |
Rule of thumb: if the dumpster has more than a few inches of dirt, concrete, or shingles in the bottom of a 20 or 30 yard, you're already at the weight limit. Stop and call us.
Local Disposal Help
We deliver dumpsters across the Eastern Shore — see city pages for Cambridge, St. Michaels, and Denton. For sizing help on a specific project, see our size selection guide or our full size comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not Sure About an Item? Just Ask.
We'd rather take a 30-second phone call than charge you a dump-refusal surcharge. Call us — we'll tell you straight.