Placing prohibited materials in a dumpster in New York City can result in fines up to $10,000 and rejection of your container at the transfer station. Here's the complete list of what's accepted and what's not — so you can load with confidence.
Items ACCEPTED in Our NYC Dumpsters
Household and General Debris
- Furniture (sofas, beds, dressers, chairs, tables)
- Mattresses (note: surcharge may apply — call us)
- Appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers, ovens, dishwashers)
- Electronics (TVs, computers, monitors — surcharge may apply)
- Clothing, textiles, and soft goods
- Boxes, cardboard, and packing materials
- General household clutter and junk
Construction and Renovation Debris
- Drywall / sheetrock
- Lumber and framing wood
- Flooring (hardwood, laminate, vinyl, carpet)
- Tile (ceramic, porcelain, stone)
- Concrete and masonry (weight limits apply)
- Brick and block
- Roofing shingles and felt paper
- Plumbing fixtures (pipes, toilets, sinks)
- Insulation (fiberglass and foam — not asbestos)
- Cabinets and millwork
- Windows and doors (glass OK)
- Scrap metal (mild surcharge may apply)
Yard Waste
- Grass clippings and sod
- Tree branches and limbs
- Leaves and shrubs
- Garden waste
- Clean fill dirt (weight limits apply)
Items PROHIBITED — NEVER Place in a Dumpster
⚠️ Prohibited Materials — Serious Fines Apply
Placing these items can result in fines, container rejection, and legal liability. Call us for proper disposal guidance.
- Hazardous chemicals: Paint (liquid), solvents, acids, pesticides, herbicides
- Asbestos: Any material containing asbestos (requires specialized licensed abatement)
- Lead-based paint: Requires special handling under NYC law
- Medical waste: Sharps, medications, biohazard materials
- Flammable/explosive materials: Propane tanks, gasoline, diesel
- Batteries (lead-acid): Car batteries, motorcycle batteries
- Tires: All vehicle tires (auto, truck, motorcycle)
- Fluorescent bulbs: Contain mercury — require separate recycling
- Refrigerants: Air conditioners and refrigerators still containing Freon
Gray Area Items — Call Us First
- Latex paint (dry): Dried latex paint is acceptable; liquid is not
- Concrete in large quantities: Weight limits apply; call for guidance
- Soil: Clean fill dirt is OK; contaminated soil is not
- Mattresses: Accepted with a small surcharge in some boroughs
- Electronics: Most accepted with a surcharge; call for your specific items
- Hot tubs and pools: Accepted but require coordination for weight and size
When in doubt, call us at (917) 268-0207 before placing any questionable item. Our team answers material questions all day and will never leave you guessing.