Dumpster Rental Guide
What Can (and Can't) Go in a Dumpster?
Roll-off dumpsters handle a huge range of materials — but a few things are off-limits for safety and legal reasons. Here's a quick rundown so your haul goes smoothly.
Generally accepted
- Household junk, furniture and general clutter
- Construction and demolition debris — wood, drywall, siding
- Roofing shingles (let us know, as they're heavy)
- Yard and green waste — branches, brush, sod
- Flooring, carpet and cabinetry
- Appliances without refrigerants (ask about fridges/AC units)
Usually prohibited
- Hazardous waste, chemicals, solvents and wet paint
- Motor oil, fuel and other automotive fluids
- Tires and batteries
- Certain electronics (e-waste)
- Asbestos and medical waste
These rules exist because those materials need specialized handling. The good news is that most have free or low-cost drop-off options right here in the Long Beach area.
Where Long Beach waste actually goes
Since the SERRF waste-to-energy plant on Terminal Island stopped taking refuse in early 2024, Long Beach trash is routed through local transfer stations and on to landfills in Los Angeles and Orange counties. For the items a dumpster can't take, the EDCO Recycling & Transfer (Signal Hill) handles household hazardous waste, e-waste, used oil and CRV recycling, and the City of Long Beach (Long Beach Recycles) lists drop-off events and rules. For statewide guidance, CalRecycle is the authority.
Green waste and SB 1383
California's SB 1383 law pushes organic waste out of landfills, so large volumes of yard and green waste are handled as a separate clean load rather than mixed in with construction debris. If your project is mostly palm fronds, branches and sod, tell us and we'll set you up right.
A note on heavy materials
Concrete, dirt, brick, tile and asphalt — common in Long Beach kitchen, bath and hardscape remodels — are allowed but very heavy, so they're best kept as a separate clean load in a smaller 10 or 15 yard container to stay under weight limits. Read more in our size guide.
Not sure about a specific item? Just call (562) 471-7508 before you toss it and we'll give you a straight answer.