The Ultimate Guide to What You Can & Can’t Throw in an Orlando Dumpster (2024)

Dumpster Acceptable Disposal Guide for Orlando City and Orange County Florida

Renting a dumpster for a project in Orlando or Orange County seems straightforward. You order the container, it arrives, and you fill it with everything you need to get rid of. But before you toss that first piece of debris, it’s crucial to understand that not all waste is created equal. Waste disposal in Central Florida is governed by a complex web of city, county, state, and federal regulations designed to protect our environment and ensure public safety.1

Throwing prohibited items into your rental dumpster can lead to unexpected fines, project delays, and even legal liability. The rules for a roll-off dumpster are often stricter than for your regular residential curbside bin, and what might be acceptable in one context can be a costly mistake in another. This guide serves as your single, definitive source for navigating the waste disposal rules specific to the City of Orlando and Orange County. We’ll demystify the regulations, clarify the gray areas, and provide you with the knowledge to manage your project’s waste confidently and correctly.

Orlando Dumpster Disposal Quick Reference Guide

For those who need answers fast, this table provides a snapshot of the rules for common items. Keep reading for the detailed explanations, exceptions, and crucial tips that will save you time and money.

Item CategoryOK for Dumpster?Key Rule & Local Disposal Tip
Furniture & MattressesYESGenerally accepted. Some landfills may charge extra for mattresses, but they are not prohibited.2
General Household JunkYESIncludes toys, clothing, decor, and non-hazardous trash. A good rule is if it can go in your regular trash, it can go in a dumpster.2
Construction DebrisYESDrywall, lumber, flooring, tile, and roofing shingles are all acceptable.4
Yard WasteYES (with caution)Branches, leaves, and grass clippings are allowed but often cannot be mixed with other waste types. Check with your rental provider.6
Appliances (No Freon)YESWashers, dryers, stoves, and microwaves are fine. Refrigerators and AC units require special handling.2
Concrete, Brick, DirtREQUIRES PREPThese are extremely heavy. A dedicated, smaller dumpster is often required to avoid exceeding weight limits and incurring large fees.2
Electronics (E-Waste)NOTVs, computers, and monitors contain hazardous materials and are banned. Take to an Orange County HHW facility.8
TiresNOStrictly prohibited in dumpsters. The City of Orlando charges a $25 fee per tire found in its containers.10
Batteries (All Types)NOCar, lithium-ion, and alkaline batteries are hazardous waste and pose a fire risk. Take to an HHW facility.12
Wet Paint & LiquidsNOAll liquids are banned. This includes wet paint, solvents, oils, cleaners, and chemicals.8
Hazardous ChemicalsNOAnything labeled with words like “Danger,” “Poison,” or “Flammable” is considered Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and is illegal to dump.12

The “Green Light” List: What You CAN Safely Throw in Your Dumpster

While the list of restrictions can seem daunting, the good news is that a roll-off dumpster can handle the vast majority of waste from typical projects. To make it easier, we’ve organized acceptable items by common project types.

For Your Home Cleanout or Move

When you’re clearing out a garage, attic, or an entire home, a dumpster is your best tool for getting rid of accumulated clutter and unwanted items.

  • Household Junk and General Trash: This is the broadest category and includes most non-hazardous items you’d find in a home. Think broken toys, old sports equipment, unwanted knick-knacks and decor, shelving, and old clothing.2 A good rule of thumb is that if you can throw it in your weekly curbside garbage bin, it can go into a dumpster.2
  • Furniture: Nearly all types of furniture are acceptable. This includes couches, chairs, tables, bed frames, dressers, bookshelves, and patio furniture.2
  • Mattresses and Box Springs: These are generally allowed in dumpsters. However, be aware that some local landfills and transfer stations may assess an additional fee for mattresses due to their bulky nature and difficulty in compaction, but they are not considered a prohibited item.3
  • Appliances (Non-Hazardous): Most household appliances can be placed in your rental dumpster without issue. This includes washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, and ovens.2 The critical exception, which will be covered in detail later, is any appliance containing Freon, such as refrigerators and air conditioners.13

For Your Remodeling or Construction Project

Whether it’s a small bathroom renovation or a large-scale construction job, a dumpster is essential for managing the resulting debris.

  • Construction & Demolition (C&D) Debris: This category covers most materials generated during a build or teardown. You can safely toss wood and vinyl flooring, drywall, old cabinets, scrap wood, broken sinks, insulation, and roofing materials like shingles.2
  • Heavy Materials (With a Major Caveat): Materials like concrete, bricks, dirt, rock, and asphalt are physically allowed in dumpsters.16 However, they are incredibly dense and heavy. This weight has significant cost and safety implications, which are discussed in the “Special Handling” section. It’s crucial to inform your dumpster provider if you’re disposing of these materials.2

For Your Landscaping or Yard Cleanup

A dumpster can be a lifesaver for major yard projects that generate more waste than your weekly curbside pickup can handle.

  • Yard Waste: This includes tree limb trimmings, grass clippings, bags of leaves, storm debris, shrubs, and other organic material.2 You can also dispose of old patio furniture, garden bed edging, and broken fencing.2
  • The “Mixed Debris” Complication: A critical rule to be aware of is that yard waste often cannot be mixed with other types of debris, such as household trash or construction materials.6 Landfills and recycling centers operate separate processing streams for different types of waste. “Clean” yard waste can be diverted to be mulched or composted, which is a cheaper and more environmentally friendly disposal method. When yard waste is mixed with trash, it becomes “contaminated” and the entire load must be sent to the general landfill, which incurs higher disposal fees, known as tipping fees.18 To avoid these higher costs, which are passed on to the customer, rental companies enforce a “no-mixing” rule. If your project involves both a major yard cleanup and a garage cleanout, plan on either keeping the materials separate within the dumpster or renting two separate, smaller containers.

The “Red Light” List: Absolutely Prohibited Items for Orlando & Orange County Dumpsters

Dumpster Prohibited Items list for Orlando Florida and Orange County Florida

This section outlines the materials that must never be placed in a rental dumpster. These items are banned for critical reasons: they can contaminate groundwater, release toxic fumes, pose a fire or explosion risk at the landfill, and cause serious injury to sanitation workers and the public.14 Disposing of these items improperly is illegal and can result in significant penalties.

What is Hazardous Waste?

The City of Orlando and Orange County define Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) as any leftover household product that can catch fire, react, or explode, or is toxic.12 The easiest way to identify HHW is to check the product’s label. If you see any of the following signal words, the item is considered hazardous and cannot go in a dumpster 14:

  • Flammable
  • Poison
  • Warning
  • Corrosive
  • Explosive
  • Danger
  • Pesticide
  • Caustic
  • Acid

Chemicals and Liquids: The Universal Ban

The number one rule for any dumpster is no liquids.8 Liquids can leak from the container during transport and can seep into the ground at the landfill, causing widespread environmental contamination. This ban includes:

  • Paints and Solvents: Wet oil-based or latex paint, paint thinner, solvents, lacquers, and wood stains are strictly forbidden.13
  • Automotive and Industrial Fluids: Motor oil, lubricating oil, hydraulic oil, antifreeze, gasoline, transmission fluid, and diesel fuel are all hazardous and flammable.8 This includes cooking oil and grease from commercial kitchens.11
  • Household and Garden Chemicals: This category includes household cleaners, bleach, pool chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.12
  • Adhesives and Resins: Glues, epoxies, and resins in their liquid or uncured state are not allowed.19

Flammables, Pressurized Tanks, and Explosives

These items pose a severe fire and explosion risk when compacted in a truck or at a landfill.

  • Pressurized Tanks: Propane tanks, helium tanks, and fire extinguishers are prohibited.8
  • Aerosol Cans: Full or partially full aerosol cans are banned as they can explode under pressure. Cans that are completely empty may be acceptable.6
  • Explosives: Ammunition and fireworks are strictly forbidden.19

Batteries: A Growing Fire Hazard

All types of batteries are prohibited from dumpsters. They contain heavy metals and corrosive chemicals that can leach into the soil.19 Furthermore, Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, common in electronics like cell phones, laptops, and power tools, pose a significant and growing fire risk. When damaged or crushed, these batteries can ignite, causing dangerous fires during transport or at waste facilities.12 Prohibited batteries include:

  • Lead-acid car batteries 6
  • Rechargeable batteries (Lithium-ion, Ni-Cad) 12
  • Standard alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, etc.) 25

Other Prohibited Hazardous Materials

  • Asbestos: This dangerous, cancer-causing material, often found in older insulation and building materials, requires specialized professional removal and disposal and is strictly banned from dumpsters.13
  • Medical Waste: Any biohazardous material, including sharps (needles), syringes, and prescription medications, requires special disposal and cannot be placed in a dumpster.12
  • Contaminated Materials: Soil that has been contaminated with oil, gasoline, or other chemicals is considered hazardous waste.8 Chemically treated wood, such as railroad ties, is also prohibited.24
  • Fluorescent Lightbulbs: These bulbs contain mercury and are considered HHW.12

Some items aren’t on the “absolutely prohibited” list, but they can’t simply be tossed in a dumpster without following specific rules. Mishandling these items is the most common source of unexpected fees and disposal issues for customers. Understanding these nuances is key to a smooth rental experience.

Appliances with Freon (Refrigerators, AC Units, Freezers)

The Rule: Appliances containing Freon or other refrigerants are banned from dumpsters unless the chemical has been professionally evacuated and certified by a licensed technician.2

The Reason: Freon is an ozone-depleting substance regulated by federal environmental laws. Releasing it into the atmosphere is illegal. Landfills will not accept these appliances unless they have documentation proving the refrigerant has been safely removed.23

Electronics (E-Waste)

The Rule: Electronic waste, including televisions, computers, monitors, and printers, is generally prohibited from dumpsters.8

The Reason: E-waste contains hazardous heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium.19 When crushed in a landfill, these toxins can leach into the soil and contaminate groundwater, posing a long-term threat to the environment and public health.14 Orange County has specific recycling programs designed to handle these materials safely.9

Tires

The Rule: Tires are strictly prohibited in rental dumpsters.13

The Reason: This is a key area of local regulatory nuance that often confuses residents. While Orange County’s residential curbside service may collect up to four passenger car tires per week 9, this rule does not apply to commercial containers like roll-off dumpsters. Tires are a major problem for landfills; they are non-biodegradable, take up significant space, and can trap methane gas, creating a fire hazard. The City of Orlando is particularly strict, levying a $25 fee for each tire found in a city-serviced container.10 To avoid these fees and compliance issues at the landfill, all reputable dumpster rental companies ban them outright.

Paint Cans

The Rule: The critical distinction is between wet and dry paint. Wet paint is a hazardous liquid and is banned. However, cans containing completely dried latex paint are often acceptable.3

The Reason: The prohibition is against liquids. Once latex paint has solidified, it is no longer considered a hazardous liquid and can be disposed of as solid waste. Oil-based paint is always considered hazardous, wet or dry.

Pro Tip: To legally dispose of leftover latex paint in a dumpster, you must dry it out completely. You can speed up the process by mixing the paint with an absorbent material like cat litter, sawdust, or a commercial paint hardener. Leave the lid off in a well-ventilated area until the contents are solid.12

Heavy Materials (Concrete, Brick, Dirt, Asphalt)

The Rule: While not hazardous, these materials are extremely heavy. Customers must inform the rental company when disposing of large quantities, and a specific, smaller-sized “heavy debris” dumpster is often required.2

The Reason: This comes down to the fundamental economics of waste disposal and transportation safety. Customers tend to think about filling a dumpster by volume, but the rental company’s costs and legal limits are dictated by weight. Landfill tipping fees are charged by the ton, not by the size of the container.18 More importantly, every truck has a legal road weight limit it cannot exceed.

Think of it this way: a 30-yard dumpster full of pillows weighs far less than the same dumpster filled only halfway with broken concrete. A customer might fill a large dumpster with heavy debris, believing they are within their rights, but the total weight could easily surpass the 8,000 to 10,000-pound limit. This results in two potential outcomes: the truck driver will be unable to safely lift the container, resulting in a “trip fee” for the failed attempt 29, or if the load is accepted, the customer will face significant overweight charges, often priced per ton over the allowance.7 By using a dedicated heavy debris container, the volume is restricted to ensure the weight stays within legal and safe limits, protecting the customer from costly surprises.

Your Guide to Proper Disposal for Prohibited Items in Orange County

Knowing what you can’t throw away is only half the battle. A responsible waste management plan includes knowing where to take these prohibited items. Fortunately, Orange County provides residents with safe and free options for disposing of hazardous and special materials.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Electronics Drop-Off

For nearly all the prohibited items on our list—chemicals, paints, batteries, oils, pesticides, and e-waste—the primary destination is an official Household Hazardous Waste collection facility. These facilities are designed to safely handle and process materials that should never end up in a landfill.

The main facility for Orange County residents is:

  • Facility Name: Orange County Landfill 20
  • Address: 5901 Young Pine Road, Orlando, FL 32829 20
  • Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 20
  • Contact: Orange County Solid Waste Hotline at 407.836.6601 12

Orange County also operates two transfer stations that may accept certain materials. It is always best to call the Solid Waste Hotline first to confirm what each location accepts 18:

  • Porter Transfer Station: 1326 Good Homes Road, Orlando, FL 32818
  • McLeod Road Transfer Station: 5000 L.B. McLeod Road, Orlando, FL 32811

Alternative Disposal Options

  • Tires: The best way to dispose of old tires is to take them to a local tire retailer or auto shop. Most businesses that sell tires will accept old ones for recycling, sometimes for a small fee.25 The Orange County Landfill also accepts waste tires for a specific per-ton or per-tire fee.18
  • Donation: For items that are still in usable condition, such as furniture and working appliances (including refrigerators), disposal should be the last resort. Consider donating them to local charities like Habitat for Humanity Re-Store, which can give your old items a new life and support the community.5
  • Prescription Drugs: Never flush medications or throw them in the trash. They can be dropped off at designated secure locations. The City of Orlando’s website provides a list of these disposal locations.20

Dumpster Worx Pro Tips: Best Practices for a Smooth & Cost-Effective Rental

Following the rules is the most important step, but a few extra tips can make your dumpster rental experience even more efficient and affordable.

Choose the Right Size Dumpster

Don’t pay for more dumpster than you need. The City of Orlando, for example, offers 20-yard and 30-yard dumpsters.16 A 20-yard container is great for smaller projects like a bathroom remodel, roofing shingle disposal, or significant yard waste cleanup. A larger 30-yard dumpster is better suited for major home renovations, commercial cleanups, and large-scale demolition jobs.16 Describing your project to your rental consultant will help them recommend the most cost-effective size.

Load Your Dumpster Correctly

There are two key rules for loading:

  1. Don’t Overfill: Every dumpster has a “level load line” marked on the side.7 Waste must not be filled above the top rim of the container. Overfilled dumpsters are a safety hazard and cannot be legally transported because the required safety tarp will not fit securely. If a driver arrives to find an overfilled container, they will not be able to pick it up, and you may be charged a trip fee or be required to unload the excess material before they can return.11
  2. Distribute Weight Evenly: When loading, try to distribute the weight of the debris as evenly as possible from front to back. This makes the container more stable and easier for the truck to lift safely.

Protect Your Property

A full dumpster can be extremely heavy. Reputable rental companies will always take precautions to protect your property, such as laying down wooden boards to prevent the dumpster’s steel wheels from scratching or cracking your driveway.7 Before delivery, ensure the placement area is clear of any obstructions like parked cars, low-hanging branches, or utility lines. A clear and accessible location is essential for both a safe drop-off and a smooth pickup.29

When in Doubt, Ask the Experts

Navigating waste disposal regulations can be complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. Every project is unique, and the rules can have specific nuances. The most effective way to ensure a hassle-free experience is to communicate openly with your dumpster rental provider.

Still have questions? Call the local experts at Dumpster Worx today. We’ll help you select the right dumpster for your job and walk you through the disposal rules to ensure your project goes smoothly, safely, and without any surprises.

Works cited

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