Hazardous materials can't go in a dumpster at all: wet paint, oil, gasoline, asbestos, chemicals and similar. Massachusetts also bans mattresses, TVs, tires, appliances and similar items from the trash because they must be recycled; they can go in the dumpster for a per-item fee if you place them on top or by the back door. Yard waste needs its own dumpster.
Never allowed
Wet paint, Oil, Gasoline, Propane tanks, Asbestos, Other hazardous materials. That includes paint thinner, pool chemicals, pesticides, car batteries and anything pressurized. Most towns hold a household hazardous waste day for these; your town page lists the details where we have them.
Allowed for a fee: Massachusetts waste ban items
State law keeps some items out of landfills so they can be recycled. You can still put them in the dumpster, but each has a fee to cover recycling:
| TVs / CRTs | $50 |
| Mattresses / box springs | $100 |
| Appliances with Freon (fridges, freezers, AC units, dehumidifiers) | $50 |
| Other appliances not placed on top of the load or at the back door | $50 |
| Tires | $25 |
Washers, dryers, stoves and other appliances without Freon cost nothing extra if you set them on top of the load or just inside the back door. Mention them when you order so the driver can pull them for recycling.
Put these items on top of the load or right inside the back door. Buried under debris, they can't be pulled out for recycling.
Yard waste goes in its own dumpster
Brush, branches, leaves and grass can't be mixed with other debris. If you're clearing a yard, rent a dumpster for yard waste only.
Heavy material: check first
Dirt, concrete, brick, asphalt and rock are heavy enough to need planning. Call before you order so the load stays within what the truck can legally haul.
Clean wood gets recycled
A load of only clean, unpainted wood can be recycled instead of landfilled. Tell us if that's what you're filling it with.