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. For paint, solvents, and chemicals, check the Maryland Department of the Environment's household hazardous waste collection programs, and see the EPA's hazardous waste guidance for what legally counts as hazardous.
| 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.