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Several types of items aren't allowed in roll-off dumpsters. First of all, hazardous materials and hazardous liquids are a no-go. This includes asbestos, oil, wet paint and other materials. Other banned items include batteries, electronics with lithium batteries, propane tanks, tires, and appliances with refrigerants. Some areas have shifting requirements (for instance, certain locations do not allow mattresses), so check with your local regulatory agency.

While a biohazard cleanup sounds like a scary process, knowing what to expect can help ease your concerns and set you up for success. It’s good to note that more than one professional might be needed depending on your situation, but that will be determined during the assessment. What you can expect during a home biohazard cleanup is the following:

• Assessment: The first step in this process is for a biohazard cleanup professional to assess the damage. They create a report that includes the biohazard safety level, the needed damage cleanup, and the time it should take to complete the project. 

• Setup: The cleanup professional prepares the site to prevent cross-contamination and reduce toxicity risk. This process can include tarping and creating decontamination zones. 

• Removal of surface contamination: Any contaminated materials are removed from the area, starting with large materials followed by small ones. The professional can assess any floor-related damage once everything is removed from the site. 

• Salvaging items: The biohazard cleanup professionals assess which items can be saved and which are contaminated beyond the point of saving. Those deemed unsafe will be disposed of immediately. 

• Waste disposal: The next step is carefully disposing of the hazardous waste. Your professional will place the contaminated items in specific containers to keep the contamination from spreading.   

• Disinfection: The house will be disinfected and odor-neutralized. Even more minor details, like light switches and bulbs, will be disinfected so that they do not recontaminate the area in the future. 

• Restoration: Once the decontamination is complete, the last step is to restore the home. This includes repairing the damage to flooring, walls, or even the home's foundation.  

The only packing material that isn’t often recyclable is rubber, but rubber bands aren’t common for packing and moving. Some materials used for moving, like cardboard, paper, and hard plastic, are easy to recycle and can often just go out for regular pickup with your other recyclables, like cans and bottles. Plastic films and packing peanuts can be a bit more difficult to recycle and usually need to go to a dedicated recycling facility that can handle those specific materials.

Since you can’t recycle vinyl flooring, you can either use curbside pickup or call your municipality or a junk removal company and ask for instructions on pickup or disposal. You can also choose a dumpster rental service, which is especially convenient if you’re in the midst of a large renovation project and have other materials you need to dispose of.