Renting a bin should be the easiest part of your project—load it, fill it, and we’ll take care of the rest. Most folks don’t think twice before tossing stuff in. But what can’t you put in a bin might surprise you, and it could end up costing you.
That’s not us being difficult. It’s for safety, city regulations, and landfill rules. A few wrong items can delay pickup, drive up your costs, or even put our crew at risk.
Bins are meant to make life easier, but only if you’ve got a handle on what not to throw in a bin. Otherwise, you’re just trading junk for fines. For detailed guidelines on safe waste disposal, refer to the City of Hamilton’s Waste Collection Safety Tips.
This guide walks you through what can’t go in a bin and what happens if something slips through. If you’re looking for the full overview of rules, safety tips, and local bin rental guidelines, check out our complete guide to bin rental rules in Ontario.
We’ve also flagged a few tricky items that depend on the load or the dump site, plus where to go if you need help getting rid of the tough stuff.
If you’re ever unsure, don’t guess. Give us a call or shoot us a photo. We’ll help you sort it out so there are no surprises on pickup day.
Why Some Items Aren’t Allowed
Bins are built for heavy lifting. Think construction waste, demo debris, clutter, the list goes on. But some materials come with restrictions that most people don’t realize:
- Hazardous materials can leak or cause fires.
- Oversized or dense items can overload the truck.
- Certain appliances need special handling due to refrigerants or electronics.
- And then there’s the law (some things are flat-out banned from landfills).
We don’t expect you to memorize the rules. That’s our job. But knowing the basics helps you avoid the trouble. Most of the dumpster prohibited items fall into just a few categories: hazardous, heavy, or regulated and we’ll break those down next.
So, what can’t you put in a bin? It’s not always obvious. Well, if it has a warning label, makes a weird noise, or came with a user manual then maybe don’t toss it in just yet. Stay tuned.
Dumpster Prohibited Items: What Can’t You Put in a Bin (and Why)
Let’s start with the clear-cut, simple stuff. These are the items you should never toss into a rental bin:
Can you put paint cans in a dumpster or rental bin?
It doesn’t matter if it’s half-full or “mostly dry,” paint can leak into other materials and create a mess that the landfill won’t accept. If it’s oil-based or solvent-based, it becomes a hazardous waste issue.
Example: Someone empties a storage room and chucks in three old paint cans from 2005. At pickup, one tips over and soaks the rest of the load. That’s a rejected bin and extra disposal charges. It’s also exactly why people Google things like “can you put paint cans in a dumpster?” and the answer’s still no.
Propane tanks
Even empty tanks hold pressure. If one ends up in the bin, it’s a serious safety risk, especially if it gets crushed during transport.
Tires
Landfills often won’t take tires mixed in with general waste. They have to be processed separately, which costs extra and requires notice.
Batteries
Car batteries, rechargeable packs, or even old lithium tool batteries can spark fires if damaged or crushed. Plus, they leak corrosive acid and metals.
Gasoline, oil, or other fuels
Obvious fire hazards. Even a small container can turn into a dangerous situation if it’s not fully empty.
Fridges, freezers, and A/C units
These appliances contain refrigerants that are harmful to the environment. They must be drained and processed by certified facilities.
Electronics
TVs, computers, monitors, and similar gear are considered e-waste. They’re not accepted in regular landfill loads and require proper recycling.
Hazardous cleaners or chemicals
Here’s a simple rule: if the label has a skull, flame, or warning symbol, don’t throw it in. That includes bleach, drain cleaner, paint thinner, and similar products.
Asbestos
Needs licensed removal and disposal. Do not load it into a general bin. It’s a legal and health nightmare.
Mattresses
Some regions accept them with a fee. Others don’t allow them at all due to size, hygiene concerns, and recycling requirements. So if you’re wondering can you throw out mattresses, the real answer is, ‘it depends’ on where your bin’s going and what rules that dump site follows.
Explosive or reactive items
This might seem like common sense, but it comes up more than you’d think. Fireworks, flares, and pressurized tanks don’t belong in a bin. Period.
“It Depends” Items
Not everything is black and white. Some items are okay under certain conditions. Here’s where things get a little more flexible:
Treated wood
Pressure-treated or painted wood is usually fine in small amounts. A whole load of it? Let us know in advance so we can confirm the dump site will accept it.
Plaster and drywall
Most bins can handle this, but certain disposal sites limit the amount or have special rules around potential mold exposure.
Old appliances
Dishwashers and ovens are usually okay. Fridges and anything with refrigerant? That’s another story.
Mattresses (again)
In Hamilton, some sites accept mattresses with additional handling fees. If you’ve got one, call us first and we’ll tell you what’s allowed and what’s not.
Example: You toss a mattress on top of your bin the night before pickup. The driver arrives and sees it sticking out. Not only is it a restricted item, but now the load is overfilled. That could mean a failed pickup or extra charges.
These kinds of bin rental restrictions vary depending on where the bin’s going and what else is inside. That’s why we always say: when in doubt, ask.
The bottom line is that if you’ve got something unusual, just ask. We’d rather work with you ahead of time than call you back after a failed pickup.
Approved Items for Bin Rental
Now for the easy part. These items are totally fine. In fact, they’re what most people use bins for:
- Construction and demo debris
- Wood, tile, drywall
- Roofing shingles and materials
- Yard waste (as long as it’s clean and not mixed with junk)
- Furniture (couches, chairs, not electronics)
- Bagged household clutter or junk
If it’s dry, solid, non-toxic, and doesn’t need special handling then it probably belongs in the bin.
Quick tip: Keep things level. Overfilled bins (especially with awkward items like branches or furniture) may need to be reloaded before pickup.
What Happens If You Toss the Wrong Thing?
It might seem harmless to sneak in a small item, a can of paint here, a tire there, but it can snowball fast:
- Failed Pickup: If the driver spots a restricted item or the load’s unsafe, they may not take the bin. You’ll be charged for the trip and asked to fix the issue.
- Extra Charges: Certain materials trigger extra fees at the landfill. If we’re charged more, we have to pass it along. To avoid surprise charges, our cost calculator gives you a quick estimate based on your bin size and material type.
- Delays: A rejected load means rescheduling, reloading, and more waiting around. None of which helps your deadline.
- Fines or Violations: Dangerous or prohibited items can lead to penalties for both you and us. That’s why we take it seriously.
Dealing with Something Tricky? We’ll Help.
We get it. Some stuff’s hard to get rid of. That’s why we’ve already done the homework for you. If you’re not sure what can’t you put in a bin, or you’re juggling items with different bin rental restrictions, just give us a call. We’ll let you know right away whether it’s allowed or if it needs special handling. You can also check our FAQ’s below, we’ve answered a lot of the common questions there.
If the item can’t go in the bin, we’ll point you to a local option. The City of Hamilton’s Household Hazardous Waste Depot accepts all kinds of restricted items, from paint cans to propane tanks. There are also nearby drop-offs for tires, electronics, and batteries.
Not Sure What’s Allowed? Ask Us First.
If there’s one takeaway from this whole guide, it’s this:
We’d rather help you figure it out than charge you later.
So if you’re standing there with a weird item in your hands, and you’re not sure what can’t you put in a bin, don’t toss it in and hope for the best.
Call, message, or send us a quick photo. We’ll give you a straight answer so you can load up the right way.
Booking a bin rental? Let us know what’s going in and we’ll get you set up with the right size and a clean, hassle-free pickup. You can also check our bin size guide ahead of time if you’re still deciding.
Bin Disposal FAQs: Bin There, Asked That
Anything hazardous, soaked in oil or fuel, or pressurized. Stuff like old paints, propane tanks, or mystery cans are best kept out and dropped off at a local depot.
If you don’t know what it is, assume it’s not bin-safe. It could be paint, fuel, or something reactive so it’s best to bring it to the hazardous waste depot just to be safe.
Call us right away. We might be able to sort it before pickup. Don’t wait until the bin’s on the truck because that’s when it turns into a charge.
Anything soaked in oil, moldy, or chemically treated. Bag the rest and we’ll help you sort it out.
Yep. Some bins can take them, but others can’t. It really depends on the site. We’ll let you know if there’s a fee or a better option.
It happens. If you’re in a busy area, try to load quickly and cover the bin when you’re done. You’re still responsible for what’s inside at pickup.
Only if it’s level with the rim. There should be no overhangs or “just one more bag” balancing acts. Overfilled bins may not be safe to haul and could get left behind.
Only if it’s stone-cold and bagged. Even a hint of leftover heat can reignite during transit. Weird, but it happens.
They do. And they’ll fine us, too. That’s why we have to be strict about what goes in. We’re not trying to be difficult , we’re making sure you (and us) stay out of trouble.
