Allowed & prohibited items
What Can You Put in a Dumpster?
Most household, remodel and construction debris can go in a roll-off. Three things can't, four cost $50 each, and heavy debris has its own sizes. Here is the full list and where the rest goes.
What can go in a roll-off dumpster?
A roll-off dumpster takes furniture, household junk, wood, drywall, flooring, cabinets, roofing shingles, siding, fencing, yard debris and other solid construction and cleanout debris. Concrete, dirt, brick and sand are allowed in 10- and 15-yard dumpsters only. Hazardous chemicals, wet paint and batteries are not accepted in any size.
| Item | In the dumpster? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Furniture, couches, boxes, clutter | Allowed | Break down large pieces to save space |
| Drywall, wood, cabinets, flooring, carpet | Allowed | Tile and plaster add weight fast |
| Asphalt roofing shingles | Allowed | Heavy: check the roofing weight math |
| Fencing, decking, siding | Allowed | Pull or bend nails flat if you can |
| Branches, brush, yard debris | Allowed | Wet green waste weighs more |
| Concrete, dirt, brick, sand, rock | 10- & 15-yard only | Load halfway up the walls. Heavy debris rules |
| Tires | $50 each | Landfill processes them separately |
| Mattresses & box springs | $50 each | Landfill processes them separately |
| Fridges, freezers, AC units (Freon) | $50 each | Refrigerant must be recovered |
| Hazardous chemicals (solvents, pesticides, pool chemicals, motor oil) | Not accepted | Household hazardous waste drop-off |
| Wet paint | Not accepted | Fully dried latex paint: ask on the call |
| Batteries (car, lithium, household) | Not accepted | Battery recycling drop-off |
Not sure about one item? Ask before it goes in.
Call (325) 241-7006Which items cost extra in a dumpster?
Four kinds of items cost $50 each in a dumpster: tires, mattresses, and appliances with Freon such as fridges, freezers and AC units. The extra charge covers the landfill's special processing for these items. The $50 charge appears on your final invoice next to the scale ticket, so you can see each item billed.
- Tires
- Mattresses
- Fridges & freezers
- Window & central AC units
Appliances without refrigerant, like a washer or a stove, don't carry the Freon charge. Tell us on the call what's in your load and we'll list any $50 items on your quote. See every charge in dumpster rental cost.
Not sure about an item? Ask before it goes in.
Call now(325) 241-7006Where do banned items go in Abilene?
Abilene residents can take paint, batteries, motor oil, pool chemicals and pesticides to the City's Environmental Recycling Center at 2209 Oak St, which also takes tires for $2 (passenger) or $5 (truck). Mattresses and furniture go to the Citizens Convenience Station at 2149 Sandy St. Both sites serve city residents only.
| Site | Takes | Doesn't take | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Recycling Center, 2209 Oak St | Paint, batteries, oil and filters, antifreeze, solvents, pesticides, pool chemicals, aerosols; tires ($2 / $5); appliances | Business waste, concrete, furniture, brush | Tue–Fri 8–4, Sat 8–noon |
| Citizens Convenience Station, 2149 Sandy St | Mattresses, couches, furniture, bulky items, electronics, carpet | Tires, brick, concrete, rock, sheetrock, shingles, tile | Mon–Fri 8–5, Sat 8–3 |
| Abilene Brush Center, 2149 Sandy St | Leaves, tree limbs, emptied bagged grass | Large trunks, root systems | Mon–Fri 8–5, Sat 8–3 |
Sources: City of Abilene Environmental Recycling Center, Citizens Convenience Center and Brush Center pages, checked Oct 21, 2026. Residents need ID and a current City bill. Confirm hours with the City before you go.
What federal rules apply to appliances, asbestos and lead paint?
Three federal rules change how some debris is handled. EPA rule 40 CFR 82.155 requires refrigerant to be recovered before a fridge, freezer or window AC is disposed of. The asbestos rule 40 CFR 61.145 sets inspection and notice steps before demolition or renovation. Lead-safe work rules cover paid renovations of pre-1978 homes.
| Topic | What the law requires | What we recommend |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerant appliances | Refrigerant recovered before final disposal (40 CFR 82.155) | Tell us about each unit so it's handled as a $50 item |
| Asbestos | Inspection and, above set amounts, advance notice before demolition or renovation (40 CFR 61.145) | Keep suspect materials, like old popcorn ceiling or pipe wrap, out of the dumpster until tested |
| Lead paint, pre-1978 homes | Lead-safe work practices for paid renovators (EPA RRP Rule, 40 CFR 745 Subpart E) | Bag dust and chips before they go in |
This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm with your contractor, permit office or landfill. Links checked Oct 21, 2026.
Can you mix heavy debris with other trash?
Heavy debris can share a 10- or 15-yard dumpster with other trash, but the load is then a mixed load. Only a load of one clean material, such as concrete only or dirt only, qualifies for special clean-fill pricing. Either way, concrete, dirt, brick and sand fill only halfway up the walls.
See sizes and fill lines on the concrete and dirt dumpster page, or how to load a dumpster to fit more in.
Item questions
Can you put paint cans in a dumpster?
Wet paint is not accepted. Abilene residents can take leftover paint to the Environmental Recycling Center at 2209 Oak St. Ask us on the call about cans that are empty and fully dried.
Can a mattress go in a roll-off dumpster?
A mattress can go in for $50, because the landfill processes mattresses separately. Abilene residents can also drop a mattress at the Citizens Convenience Station on Sandy St.
Can you throw tires in a dumpster?
Tires cost $50 each in the dumpster. The City's Environmental Recycling Center takes resident tires for $2 (passenger) or $5 (truck), which costs less if you can drop them off yourself.
Can I put an old refrigerator in the dumpster?
A refrigerator with Freon can go in for $50. Federal rules require the refrigerant to be recovered before disposal, and that charge covers the landfill's handling.
Can I put car batteries or propane tanks in a dumpster?
Batteries are not accepted in our dumpsters. Abilene residents can take car batteries to the Environmental Recycling Center. That center doesn't take gas cylinders, so ask your propane supplier about tank returns.
What happens if a banned item is found in my dumpster?
Hazardous chemicals, wet paint and batteries can't go to the landfill in a roll-off. Call us before pickup if one ended up in the load, and we'll tell you how to set it aside for a proper drop-off.
Ask about your load before it goes in
Tell us what you're throwing out and we'll tell you the right size, any $50 items and what needs to go elsewhere.
Deliveries 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Book by 3:00 PM for next-day delivery.