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While a rented dumpster can handle a wide variety of materials, there are significant restrictions on what is allowed. Generally, you can dispose of most non-hazardous household junk, yard waste, and construction debris.

Accepted items typically include:

• Furniture, carpets, old linens, and toys

• Wood and yard debris

• Small appliances and excess trash

• Renovation waste like old finishes, building debris, and roofing materials (unless they contain lead paint or asbestos)

However, you cannot put toxic, flammable, or hazardous materials in a dumpster. Prohibited items almost always include:

• Paint, gasoline, oil, and other fuels

• Household cleaners and other chemicals

• Electronics, batteries, and tires

• Refrigerators, hot water tanks, and medical waste

Since regulations can vary by location and company, it is essential to check with your dumpster rental provider for their specific list of accepted and prohibited items before you begin.

Not every, but many, states classify fluorescent tubes and CFL light bulbs as hazardous waste that need to be disposed of in a specified manner. California defines its list of hazardous fluorescent tubes as follows:

• Fluorescent tubes, including low mercury tubes.

• Compact fluorescents, including low mercury lamps

• Metal halide lamps, such as floodlights for  large indoor and outdoor areas and gymnasiums

• Sodium lamps, such as those sometimes used as security lighting and outdoor floodlights

• Mercury vapor lamps, such as those sometimes used for street lighting

Charcoal that contains lighter fluid or other additives is considered hazardous waste. Natural lump charcoal with no additives is not considered hazardous waste, although it is a flammable material. Burned charcoal that is reduced to ash is not considered hazardous waste and can be disposed of in an appropriate container in an outdoor trash barrel.

The cost for junk removal is $240 on average, but prices can range from $60 to $600. Your total price largely depends on the items you’re having removed. Certain appliances, like window air conditioners, range from $75 to $90 to remove. However, more oversized items, like hot tubs, fall on the expensive side of the range, costing between $200 and $600 for removal. You should also consider the amount and weight of your junk, with most junk removal companies requiring a minimum of 2 cubic yards.