If you are renting a dumpster for your next big project or neighborhood clean-up, you will likely sign an agreement for what you can and can’t put inside. If you are like many people, you will not read that agreement very closely, or at all.

Sure, you will glance at the bottom line to verify that there are no unforeseen charges, or to complain about the taxes added. You’ll likely sign it.

But what did you agree to?

Well, among other things, you agreed that there are certain items that you will NOT put in your dumpster.

While this may vary based on the city, the specific waste site, and the options available to your rental company, we can anticipate some of the items that you should not put in your dumpster.

Our reference is the posted information at the Website of Rumpke Waste and Recycling, southwest Ohio’s largest waste removal company.

This specific list is the items you *can* throw out, but only if you have specific permission.

What you can throw out only with permission

These are the common items you can secure permission to throw away. Typical homeowners might encounter these on a regular basis while doing the work that requires renting a dumpster:

• Rags, absorbent materials, sponges, and brushes impacted with pain / stain remover / cleaners, or other chemicals
• Batteries or all types and kinds
• Electronics including computers, monitors, and televisions
• Obsolete / outdated chemicals / cleaners / products
• Appliances with refrigerant removed

Here are less common, or industrial items that can be thrown away, again with permission. These are items more likely to be found in an industrial or commercial setting or project:

• Manufacturing or manufacturing process waste including but not limited to sledge; sand; shot blast, dust filters, and various paint wastes
• Materials used in cleaning up a spill, specifically of items on this list
• Solidified liquids
• Empty containers including drums, tanks, 5-gallon pails, aerosol cans
• PCB waste lower than 50 ppm
• Asbestos

Waste management companies have a responsibility to the community they serve and the people who live in the area. Be sure to read the rules to make sure your items get disposed of correctly when you are using your dumpster.