One of the most common questions we get at APES Demolitions is: "Can I throw this in the dumpster?" The answer depends on what it is, and getting it wrong can result in contamination fees, rejected loads, or even fines under Pennsylvania environmental law. This guide covers everything you need to know before you start loading.

Accepted Items

Our 15-yard dumpster accepts the vast majority of renovation, cleanout, and demolition debris. Here's what you can load without any issues:

Drywall and plaster — Broken sheets, joint compound, plaster walls

Wood and lumber — 2x4s, trim, plywood, OSB, pallets

Flooring — Hardwood, laminate, vinyl, carpet (rolled up)

Tile and ceramic — Floor tile, wall tile, backsplash — heavy, counts toward weight

Concrete and brick — Counts quickly toward the 1.25-ton weight limit — call us first

Metal and fixtures — Pipes, copper wire, steel beams, bathroom fixtures

Appliances — Washers, dryers, dishwashers, stoves (no freon units)

Furniture — Couches, dressers, desks — remove cushions/foam if possible

Roofing materials — Shingles, felt paper, flashing

Yard waste — Branches, brush, sod, dirt (dirt is heavy — call first)

Cardboard and paper — Boxes, packaging, moving materials

General household junk — Toys, clothing, non-hazardous household items

Dried paint cans — Fully dried/hardened paint only — liquid paint is not accepted

Cabinets and countertops — Kitchen and bathroom cabinets, laminate counters

Windows and doors — Glass panes OK, wrap sharp edges for safety

Prohibited Items in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) prohibits certain materials from entering municipal solid waste landfills. These items cannot go in any dumpster — not ours, not anyone else's. Violating these rules can result in fines for the property owner.

Liquid paint and stains — Hazardous waste — take to PA DEP collection events

Motor oil and automotive fluids — Hazardous — auto parts stores accept used oil

Batteries (car, lithium, lead-acid) — Hazardous — retailers and recyclers accept them

Propane tanks and gas cylinders — Explosion risk — return to retailer or exchange program

Asbestos-containing materials — Requires licensed abatement contractor and special disposal

Refrigerators and AC units — Contain freon — must be evacuated first by certified tech

Medical and biohazard waste — Requires medical waste disposal service

Tires — PA bans tires in landfills — tire retailers accept them

Electronics (TVs, computers, monitors) — PA e-waste law — take to Best Buy or county collection

Chemicals and solvents — Pesticides, pool chemicals, cleaning solvents — hazardous waste

Fluorescent light bulbs — Contain mercury — hardware stores accept them

Railroad ties — Treated with creosote — classified as hazardous

A Note on Heavy Materials: Concrete, Brick, and Tile

Concrete, brick, and ceramic tile are all accepted in our dumpster — but they are extremely dense and will hit the 1.25-ton (2,500 lb) weight limit long before the container looks full. A single cubic yard of concrete weighs roughly 4,000 lbs on its own, which is already over our weight limit.

Loading heavy materials? Call us first.

If your project involves significant concrete, brick, or tile demolition, call us at (484) 657-9230 before renting. We can advise on the right approach — sometimes multiple smaller loads or a different disposal method is more cost-effective than paying overweight fees.

What Happens If I Put a Prohibited Item in the Dumpster?

If a prohibited item is discovered during pickup or at the disposal facility, the load may be rejected entirely — meaning we cannot haul the dumpster until the item is removed. In some cases, contamination fees apply. We're not trying to be difficult; these rules come from state and federal environmental law, and the disposal facilities we use enforce them strictly.

When in doubt, call us. We'd rather answer a quick question over the phone than have a load rejected at the facility.

APES Demolitions 15-Yard Dumpster

$480

Standard Price

8 Days

Rental Period

1.25 Tons

Weight Included

$11/day

Extra Days

Questions? Just Call Us.

We serve Montgomery County PA and surrounding areas. Same-day delivery available.