What Can and Can’t Be Put in a Commercial Dumpster Rental: A Guide for Contractors

On a jobsite, time is money—and waste management is a big part of staying on schedule. A full dumpster keeps your crew moving, but tossing in the wrong materials can create safety hazards, fines, or rejected loads.

At Neighborly Hauling, we work with contractors across Grand Rapids and Kent County, and here’s our contractor’s guide to what you can—and can’t—throw in a commercial dumpster.

👉 Ready to reserve a contractor-sized bin? Book Now and keep your project on schedule.

⚠️ Prohibited & Restricted Items

🔋 Batteries (Fire Risk)

Lithium-ion and rechargeable batteries can spark fires—even when “dead.” Kent County DPW has already seen multiple fires at their Recycling & Education Center caused by batteries tossed in the wrong bin.

Proper Disposal: Take batteries to a Kent County SafeChem location.

🧪 Hazardous Materials

These materials are unsafe for transfer stations and must never go in your dumpster:

Paints, solvents, oils
Gasoline, propane tanks, fuel cans
Asbestos or other hazardous demolition debris

Neighborly Hauling dumpster placed with Rolliskate pad protecting residential driveway — Cleaning up oil adds time to our delivery and pickup schedules.

Neighborly Hauling driveway-safe dumpster placement with surface spill containment — We protect driveways with pads and clean up accidental spills quickly.

⚠️ Electronics & Appliances

TVs, CRT monitors, computers
Refrigerators, freezers, microwaves

👉 At Neighborly Hauling, we can carry these items if you tell us ahead of time. We’ll route them through the Kent County Transfer Station for proper sorting and disposal.

🛏 Tires & Mattresses

Accepted at Kent County facilities, but they carry additional fees. Always declare these items in advance so we can advise the lowest-cost option.

🌿 Yard Waste in Mixed Loads

Leaves, grass, and brush must be kept separate. If mixed with trash, the load will be rejected. Ask us about yard-specific solutions during your rental.

✅ What Contractors Can Load

General construction debris: drywall, lumber, cabinets, flooring
Roofing shingles (use 12- or 17-yard dumpsters for heavy loads)
Siding, windows, doors, framing scraps
Non-hazardous demo debris

Contractor FAQs

Can I put paint cans in the dumpster?

No—wet paints are hazardous. They must go to SafeChem.

What about electronics like TVs and computers?

Not directly. These require special handling. Ask us where to take them.

Can I toss in a refrigerator or washing machine?

Yes, but only if you notify us. These must be routed through the transfer station.

What about heavy debris like concrete or asphalt?

Yes—but keep to 12- or 17-yard dumpsters to stay under weight limits.

The Neighborly Difference

Contractor-Sized Bins – 12, 17, 21, and 25 yards sized for real jobsite needs
Responsible Disposal – hauling to Kent County’s transfer station & waste-to-energy facility
Upfront Guidance – we’ll flag restricted items so you avoid costly surprises
Reliable Swaps – on-time delivery and repeat scheduling keep your crew moving
Driveway Protection – Rolliskate HDPE pads under every bin to protect client property

Cleaning the interior of Neighborly Hauling dumpster before customer delivery — We do our best to deliver a clean bin.

Wrap-Up

Commercial dumpsters keep jobsites clean, efficient, and compliant—as long as you know what doesn’t belong inside. By following Kent County rules and partnering with a trusted hauler, you’ll avoid fines, delays, and safety issues.

With Neighborly Hauling, you get clean, reliable bins and a partner who knows the local rules inside and out.

👉 Book Now to schedule your contractor-ready dumpster in Grand Rapids and Kent County.