What Can You Put in a Dumpster in Grand Rapids? | Neighborly Hauling Disposal Guide

What Can You Put in a Dumpster? The Complete Grand Rapids Disposal Guide

Wondering what you can throw away—or not—when you rent a dumpster in Grand Rapids or Kent County? Whether you’re renovating, cleaning out, or just clearing space, this guide covers every category of waste and debris we accept at Neighborly Hauling, plus a few that require special handling.

Book Now to get your bin delivered today—built for tight spaces and heavy loads.

🏗️ Construction & Renovation Materials

Perfect for contractors, remodelers, and DIY projects—these materials are accepted in mixed loads unless noted otherwise.

Dumpster filled with construction debris, including old wood and trash bags, placed between two houses. — A Neighborly Hauling dumpster filled with wood scraps, boards, and construction debris—materials that are fully permitted for disposal.

Building Materials: drywall, plaster, insulation, windows, doors, siding, flooring, and cabinetry
Construction Debris: framing wood, lumber, plywood, trim, tile, carpet, carpet pad, and fixtures
Roofing Shingles: asphalt, slate, or composite shingles—keep separate if pure roofing load
Decking & Fencing: treated or untreated lumber, railing, posts, lattice, and panels
Demolition Debris: drywall, studs, subfloor, non-hazardous demo waste
Concrete & Masonry: blocks, bricks, pavers, and clean concrete (must be by itself—12-yard bin only)
Tile & Stone: ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone tiles; grout residue is fine
Railroad Ties & Treated Wood: not accepted due to chemical preservatives (take to Kent County SafeChem)
Metal Fixtures: nails, fasteners, flashing, ducts, gutters, and scrap metal—recycled if load is clean

🏠 Homeowner Cleanout & Household Items

If it’s part of a general cleanup or move-out, it probably fits here. These are safe for mixed residential loads.

Dumpster filled with household junk, toys, boxes, and miscellaneous cleanout items in a residential neighborhood. — A Neighborly Hauling dumpster filled with household clutter, toys, boxes, and miscellaneous items during a residential cleanout.

Furniture: couches, chairs, tables, dressers, and shelving
Mattresses & Box Springs: accepted; Kent County applies a processing fee (passed through at cost)
General Refuse: everyday household junk, paper, plastic, and non-recyclable packaging
Home Décor & Small Items: blinds, rugs, wall art, and home accessories
Household Junk: toys, storage bins, seasonal items, and non-hazardous clutter
Empty Tanks: only if completely empty and depressurized
Appliances: accepted with extra handling fee; must be declared in advance. Refrigerators must be empty of food. Learn more in How We Handle Metal & Appliances.

🌿 Yard Waste & Landscaping Debris

Yard waste is accepted—but it must be by itself in the bin. We take it to certified composting and recycling facilities in Kent County.

Branches & Logs: accepted if under 18” in diameter
Leaves, Grass, & Brush: accepted; keep free of trash or soil
Clean Dirt & Soil: accepted in separate load; residential topsoil only
Mulch, Bark, & Sod: accepted if dry and non-contaminated
Landscape Timber: accepted only if untreated; no creosote-treated posts

For projects that mix heavy materials—like soil, roots, and brush—see Yard Waste, Soil & Concrete Disposal Guide.

🔌 Electronics, Appliances & E-Waste

Electronics and appliances often require special handling under Kent County regulations. We accept these items with transparency—no hidden fees.

Appliances: refrigerators, washers, dryers, ovens, microwaves (transfer-station fee applies)
E-Waste: computers, TVs, monitors, printers—routed through Kent County for safe recycling
Scrap Metal: accepted; recycled when kept separate
Light Fixtures & Ceiling Fans: accepted; remove bulbs first
Water Heaters & Furnaces: accepted; must be drained and disconnected

See our dedicated post: What Happens to Metal and Appliances After We Pick Up Your Dumpster?

♻️ Recycling & Reusable Materials

Neighborly Hauling works with Kent County Transfer Stations and local recyclers to reduce landfill use. Many common materials get reused or repurposed.

Clean Cardboard & Paper: recycled if not soiled
Glass & Plastic: accepted in small amounts within mixed loads
Metal & Aluminum: recycled through our certified partners
Untreated Lumber & Pallets: reused or chipped into mulch

⚠️ Special Handling & Fee-Based Items

Certain items require additional fees or special disposal due to county rules. We’ll always pass through these charges transparently—no markups.

Neighborly Hauling dumpster loaded with drywall, furniture, and construction debris in Grand Rapids driveway — Our dumpsters handle heavy loads like drywall and furniture—with Pay for What You Use pricing to keep costs fair.

Appliances: county processing surcharge
Mattresses & Box Springs: recycling surcharge applies
Tires: accepted (limit 10 per load); Kent County disposal fee applies
Concrete, Soil, or Yard Waste: must be loaded separately by material type
Railroad Ties or Creosote-Treated Wood: not accepted; contact Kent County SafeChem for disposal guidance

The Neighborly Difference

Built for Tight Spaces: single-axle trucks and straight-wall bins fit old Grand Rapids driveways
Eco-Focused Disposal: all loads processed through Kent County transfer & waste-to-energy facilities
Transparent Pricing: “Pay for What You Use” model—no flat-rate overcharges
Clean Bins, Clean Driveways: washed weekly, painted monthly, and placed on HDPE pads
Local & Licensed: family-owned, Chamber member, fully insured

Wrap Up

If you’re wondering whether something belongs in your dumpster, this guide covers it all—from construction debris and yard waste to appliances and special materials. When in doubt, we’ll help route your load the right way so it’s recycled, reused, or responsibly disposed.

Book Now to get your dumpster scheduled today—built for tight spaces, ready for heavy loads.