Allowed and restricted items

What Can Go in a Dumpster in Greenville?

Most household and construction debris is fine. A short list of items is banned or costs extra, because landfills can't take them or they need special handling.

Usually allowed

• Furniture, couches and chairs
• Household junk, boxes, toys and clothing
• Drywall, wood, cabinets and trim
• Flooring, carpet and padding
• Asphalt shingles and roofing felt
• Yard waste: branches, brush, leaves and fencing
• Appliances without refrigerant (washers, dryers, stoves)
• Concrete, brick and dirt, in a container sized for weight (ask first)

Usually not allowed

• Paint (wet), stains, solvents and thinners
• Motor oil, gasoline and other fluids
• Car batteries and lead-acid batteries
• Propane tanks and other pressurized cylinders
• Pesticides, pool chemicals and other hazardous materials
• Asbestos and medical waste

Allowed with a fee, or ask first

• Mattresses and box springs
• Tires
• Refrigerators, freezers and AC units (refrigerant must be removed)
• TVs, computers and other electronics

Rules depend on your provider and where they dump. Always confirm before you load something on these lists.

Where to take restricted items

Greenville County runs residential drop-off sites and recycling programs that accept many items dumpsters can't, such as used oil, batteries, electronics and some household chemicals. Check the county's solid waste page for current locations, hours and accepted items. Latex paint can often be dried out (mix with kitty litter or paint hardener) and then thrown away with regular trash. Many tire shops take old tires for a small fee.

Loading tips

• Keep debris level and below the top edge.
• Heavy items on the bottom, spread across the floor.
• Don't burn or compact debris in the dumpster.
• If you're unsure about an item, set it aside and ask.

Why some items are banned

Landfills and transfer stations have to follow state and federal rules on what they accept. Liquids can leak into groundwater. Batteries and propane tanks can start fires in a truck or at the landfill. Refrigerant has to be captured by a certified technician before an appliance is scrapped. When a hauler finds a banned item, they either have to pull it out by hand or pay to dispose of it separately, which is why those items carry a fee or get refused.