What Can You Put in a Dumpster?in a Dumpster? Local Dumpster Rental Rules
Quick Guide to Accepted and Prohibited Materials
Checking dumpster rules before loading can save you from a very annoying surprise later. You don’t want your driveway covered in junk, only to find out that some of it can’t go in the dumpster.
For dumpster rentals in West Allis, Brookfield, Franklin, New Berlin, Greenfield, and throughout Waukesha County, local landfills reject certain materials. So before loading, see our guide below on what you can put in a dumpster rental
It takes only a few minutes, but it’ll keep your cleanup moving and your final invoice predictable.
What Can Be Thrown in a Dumpster?
Most household clutter and non-hazardous materials can go in a roll-off dumpster rental. Landfills accept these materials without extra fees or processing:
- Downed branches
- Tree limbs
- Damaged wood
- Broken fencing
- Other debris from storms & flooding
- Old clothes
- Wooden furniture
- Toys
- Non-electric kitchenware
- Glass
- Blankets
- Boxes
- Clutter in your attic or basement
- Asphalt shingles
- Underlayment
- Roofing nails
- Flashing
- Roofing felt
- EMPTY CONTAINERS
- Dry aerosol cans
- Empty bins
- Plastic containers
- Standard household alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D)
- Retail gut-outs
- Office buildouts
- Restaurant equipment removal
- Warehouse decommissions
- Cubicle panels
- Commercial tile
- Ceiling grids
- Pallet racking
- Asphalt millings
- Parking lot debris.
JUNK AND SCRAP METAL- Metal piping
- Iron fixtures
- Sheet metal
- Old frames
- Clean scrap metal
What Can You NOT Put in a Roll-Off Dumpster?
Wondering what you cannot put in a dumpster? Start with anything hazardous, pressurized, highly flammable, or difficult to recycle. These items don’t belong in your roll-off container:
- Oils, automotive fluids, liquids.
- Major appliances.
- Paints, oil stains, lacquers, paint strippers.
- Gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel.
- Vehicle lead-acid batteries, lithium power tool batteries.
- Propane cylinders, gas tanks, compressed fuel canisters.
- Rubber tires.
- Electronics, e-waste.
- Chemical cleaners, medical waste, sharps, asbestos.
What Happens If You Put The Wrong Items in the
Dumpster?
If a restricted material ends up in your trash bin rental, the transfer station can charge a penalty. That cost is passed on to you
Prohibited Materials Fee
$150 penalty per unapproved or hazardous item placed in the bin.
Overweight Fee
Exceeding your specified dumpster weight limit costs $90 per ton.
Overflowing Dumpster Fee
If debris sits above the top rim, there’s a $100 fee. Drivers also cannot legally haul a load that exceeds applicable weight limits on public roads.
What Can Be Thrown in a Dumpster Under Certain Conditions?
Wondering “what can I throw in a dumpster?” isn’t always as simple as checking a yes-or-no list. Certain materials need a specific container size or special handling before they can go in a garbage dumpster rental.
Yard Debris
Leaves, branches, brush, and other yard debris are accepted only if loaded in their own dedicated unit. Don’t mix yard waste with any other junk.
Clean Concrete
Concrete disposal is limited strictly to our 10-yard dumpsters. The waste dumpster rental must contain clean concrete only. Please add no other materials in it.
Soil and Dirt
If you’re wondering what you cannot put in a big trash container, mixed loads of dirt and debris are one combination to avoid. Soil and dirt are accepted only as clean fill in dedicated loads.
Mattresses and Box Springs
Our dumpster rental service accepts mattresses and box springs. However, transfer stations may charge a per-item processing surcharge.
Upholstered Furniture
Couches, recliners, office chairs, and padded seats can go in our garbage bin rental. Transfer stations may charge an extra fee because these items need manual processing. Break down large frames so everything sits flat below the top rim. Cover the dumpster as well if you’re expecting rain.
What Can You Put in
a Construction Dumpster?
You can put the following materials in our construction dumpster:
If a concrete block goes into the same load as light lumber and drywall, you’re mixing heavy material with lighter ones. This can push a waste management dumpster over its weight limit long before it looks full.
On job sites in Hales Corners and Mukwonago, keep masonry in its own dedicated load to prevent overweight fees.
Avoid Overweight Fees with the Right Dumpster Size
See our dumpster size chart and choose the right size for your residential or commercial project:
Dimensions (H x W x L)
4’ x 8’ x 14’
Maximum Capacity
4,500 lbs (2 Tons)
Best FOr
Garage cleanouts and single-room demos
Dimensions (H x W x L)
5’ x 8’ x 15’
Maximum Capacity
6,600 lbs (3 Tons)
Best FOr
Basement cleanouts, multi-room carpet removal, small roof jobs, minor bathroom remodels
Dimensions (H x W x L)
5.5’ x 8’ x 17’
Maximum Capacity
7,700 lbs (3.5 Tons)
Best FOr
Full roof tear-offs, kitchen gut-outs, whole-home flooring
Dimensions (H x W x L)
7.5’ x 8’ x 17’
Maximum Capacity
8800 pounds or 4 Tonnes
Best FOr
Major renovations, commercial tenant buildouts, large siding jobs
Dimensions (H x W x L)
8.5’ x 8’ x 22’
Maximum Capacity
12,000 lbs (6 Tons)
Best FOr
Full demolitions, commercial site cleanouts, storm debris removal, large-scale roof replacements
Not sure which garbage dumpster size fits your project?
Read our dumpster size guide to match your project and materials with the right trash bin size.
What Locals Are Saying About Our Dumpster Company
“I have used Speed Dumps 2 different times now and will again in the future for all my dumpster needs. They always took the extra care to not damage my driveway when setting the dumpster in place. Both times the prices and the lead times were great. Always recommend them when I can.”
Chris West
“We have used speedy dumps on several of our construction projects throughout the last few years- Always have been timely and reliable.”
Ryan Braby
“I am a roofing contractor and have used speedy a lot this year so far. They have competitive pricing and the fastest service out of ANY of the other roll off dumpster companies. Also another thing to add is they are nice freshly painted dumpsters and it is a nice change of pace from the rust buckets the other guys use.”
Peter Montesanto
“Our basement flooded and we needed a dumpster immediately, we received the dumpster right away. Great pricing and great customer service, would highly recommend to anyone.”
Catarina Doro
“I am a roofing contractor and have used speedy a lot this year so far. They have competitive pricing and the fastest service out of ANY of the other roll off dumpster companies. Also another thing to add is they are nice freshly painted dumpsters and it is a nice change of pace from the rust buckets the other guys use.”
Catarina Doro
“The best Costomer experience I have ever had! I highly recommend Speedy Dumps for dump removal. Dumpster was dropped off and delivered very fast and communication between us was Excellent”
Ian Stolp
FAQs About Dumpster Rental Rules
No. In Wisconsin, you can’t throw TVs in a dumpster. Recycle them through an approved electronics collection site instead.
You can take hazardous materials to your local Clean Sweep program or community drop-off site. For businesses, take these materials to licensed commercial transporters and treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs) rather than public Clean Sweep events.
Choose a firm, level spot such as a concrete or asphalt driveway. Make sure the delivery path is clear and accessible, with roughly 60 feet of length, 10.5 feet of width, and 25 to 30 feet of overhead clearance. Keep low branches, utility lines, parked vehicles, and other obstacles out of the way.
Dumpster Rental Service Area
