What Can and Can’t Go in a Dumpster: Everything Business Owners Need to Know

Planning a commercial dumpster service? Before you book your next commercial dumpster rental in Philadelphia, make sure that you familiarize yourself on what can go in a dumpster and what can’t go in a dumpster.

Whether you’re managing a construction site or working in a small office, it’s important that you are well-versed in all of the requirements for your commercial dumpster rental.

Understanding the ins and outs of dumpster disposal will make your commercial dumpster service go smoothly and help you plan ahead.

What Can Go in a Dumpster

Here’s a general guide to everything that you can dispose of in your next commercial dumpster service in Philadelphia.

Remember to always double-check with your construction dumpster rental company as well!

Household Debris

You can dispose of many types of household debris in your commercial dumpster rental. These include the following:

Carpet
Mattresses
Furniture
Laminate, tile, or vinyl flooring
Bath fixtures (including showers, sinks, toilets, tubs, etc.)

Do you need to dispose of household debris that isn’t on the list? Call David Geppert Recycling for more information!

Construction Debris

It’s typical to accrue a large amount of debris during a construction project, and it’s important to know what can go in a dumpster and what can’t go in a dumpster.

Here are things that are included in dumpster disposal:

Concrete
Masonry
Wood
Insulation
Drywall
Roof shingles
Glass
Cement

For more information on construction debris removal, check out our comprehensive list of items we accept.

Clean Fill

These are the clean fill items that can be disposed of in a commercial dumpster rental (remember there can be zero trash in these units):

Unpainted concrete
Rock
Dirt
Asphalt
Stone
Biodegradable materials like grass, wood, or brush

Paint

Usually you can dispose of any type of completely dried paint with a commercial dumpster service.

Recyclables

If you will have recyclable materials then it’s important to make sure that you dispose of them properly.

Paper
Wood
Asphalt
Concrete
Scrap metal
Cardboard

Be sure to check which recycling items are accepted in your commercial dumpster rental in Philadelphia! Call David Geppert Recycling for more information.

Electronics

While it’s important to always confirm which electronics are included in your dumpster disposal, here are a few items that are usually accepted:

Televisions
Computers
Microwaves

What Can’t Go in a Dumpster

While dumpsters are an extremely convenient way to dispose of waste, your dumpster service will have limitations for commercial dumpster use. Commercial waste management companies are restricted by things like local regulations.

Take the time to check with your commercial dumpster service provider to ensure that the items that you need to dispose of are included.

Here’s a general list of things that will likely be prohibited in your dumpster disposal:

Fluorescent tubs
Toxic or hazardous waste (such as biomedical or infectious waste)
Explosive, flammable, or chemical materials
Aerosol cans or propane tanks
Batteries
Liquids or food
Solvents and pesticides

Philadelphia’s Grindable Food Waste Rule

According to Philadelphia law, grindable food waste CANNOT be placed in dumpsters. Instead, it needs to be disposed of using a grinder or garbage disposal.

What is Grindable Food Waste?

Bread
Grains
Pasta
Rice
Meat scraps (except for bones)
Produce scraps
Coffee grounds and filters
Egg shells

Communicate with Your Commercial Dumpster Service Provider

Navigating the rules and regulations of commercial waste management can be overwhelming. Before you schedule your commercial dumpster rental, make sure that you talk to your provider about the items that you need to dispose of.

Commercial dumpster rental often comes with additional requirements and you don’t want to make any mistakes.

Contact David Geppert Recycling for All Your Dumpster Disposal Needs!

Our team at David Geppert Recycling will provide you with a comprehensive list of what can go in a dumpster and what can’t go in a dumpster. We will walk you through the necessary guidelines to make the process smooth and easy from start to finish.