Top 8 Things You Should Never Throw in a Dumpster

Car batteries are the most common type of battery to be disposed of improperly, but all types of batteries should be handled with care. The chemicals, metals, and corrosive materials found in batteries can be quite harmful; lead-acid car batteries pose the greatest danger.

Paints, lacquers, and even cans may contain hazardous chemicals such as mercury and lead. Although latex paint is sometimes an exception to this rule, it must usually be combined with something like cat litter to be disposed of in a garbage can. Stains, paints, and finishes from consumer cans are also prohibited from being disposed of in this way.

Oil used in cars and industrial equipment, such as lawnmowers or chainsaws, is typically classed as hazardous and cannot be disposed of like regular trash.

Petroleum and gasoline are highly combustible, so they cannot be disposed of in landfills or dumpsters. Unusable fuels must be taken to a local hazardous waste facility for disposal.

Disposing of any type of waste material that is considered combustion-able, poisonous, harmful, or corrosive is not allowed in any receptacle – this refers to both your home garbage can and a roll-off dumpster rented from a company.

Although 250 million tires are produced yearly, they cannot be sent to American landfills. They must go through a recycling process first due to environmental concerns.

Many appliances can be disposed of in rental dumpsters, but refrigerators must have the Freon that produces the device’s cooling effect removed by a professional before being placed in a dumpster. If you want to get rid of your old refrigerator consider donating it to a local Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. Appliances are frequently recycled and resold at low prices to populations who need them through this organization.

Asbestos is a highly hazardous substance that can trigger a range of respiratory illnesses. It was used for sealing, fire protection, insulation, and water resistance in structures constructed prior to the late 1970s. Because it is dangerous to handle and cannot be thrown away in dumpsters by amateurs, expert house contractors should be called for assistance in removing this deadly material.