Free tool · Rules & planning
Can It Go in the Dumpster?
Eco Waste dumpsters take no electronics, tires or hazardous materials, per our published rules. Concrete, dirt and brick go in as heavy loads with a flat rate, filled only to a 10-cubic-yard fill line. California law also keeps treated wood, refrigerant appliances, sharps and asbestos out of ordinary disposal. OC’s four free household hazardous waste centers take most of the rest from residents, up to 15 gallons or 125 lb per trip.
No sign-up · works on your phoneUpdated 31 sources
The calculator
Look up an item
Can it go in?
Type an item or tap a common question. You’ll get the verdict, the rule behind it, and where it goes in Orange County if it can’t go in the bin.
155 items: 58 allowed, 4 heavy loads, 39 ask first, 54 not allowed.
Worked example
A garage clean-out: what goes in, and what doesn't
Say the pile is leftover paint, an old fridge, a sofa, scrap lumber, two tires, a box of batteries and a broken patio slab. Here’s each one through the tool:
- Latex paint: not allowed. Hazardous material, and California bans latex and oil paint from the trash. PaintCare sites and OC's HHW centers take it. Goes to: PaintCare drop-off sites.
- Refrigerator: not allowed. Refrigerant, capacitors and switches must come out before a major appliance is crushed or landfilled, by a certified appliance recycler (or, for refrigerant alone, a certified technician). Goes to: OC landfills (appliances from residents).
- Furniture: ask first. Legal to landfill, but we haven't published a policy on furniture. Ask when you book. Power recliners have motors and wiring. Goes to: Your city's trash hauler (bulky-item pickup).
- Lumber (untreated): allowed. Untreated wood is debris. Pressure-treated wood is not: see treated lumber.
- Tires: not allowed. Our published rule: no tires. California bans them from the trash too. OC's landfills and HHW centers don't take them. Goes to: Tire shops and auto supply stores.
- Household batteries: not allowed. Hazardous. California bans all batteries from the trash, AA and AAA included. Goes to: OC Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers.
- Concrete (clean): heavy load. Clean concrete, with no rebar, no brick and no trash, has a flat rate to the fill line inside the bin. $775 on its own, to the fill line.
Put the slab in with everything else and the whole load bills by weight. Our rule: Any debris/trash combined in a dumpster with dirt, concrete, brick or green waste will be weighed and billed at debris/trash rates. So the concrete goes in its own bin at the flat rate, and the lumber, household junk and sofa (once we’ve said yes) go in a debris bin billed by weight. The paint and batteries make one trip to an HHW center, the fridge goes to an OC landfill or your city’s bulky-item pickup, and the tires go to a tire shop.
Reference
All 155 items, by verdict
The full list the tool searches. “Decided by” says whether our published rule, California law, or neither (so ask us) settles it. Where sources disagree, the row says so.
Not allowed in the dumpster (54)
Keep these out. Each one lists where it goes in Orange County instead.
| Item | Why | Decided by | Where it goes in OC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Railroad ties | OC Waste & Recycling lists railroad ties as treated wood waste. Same rules as pressure-treated lumber. | California law · Health & Safety Code §25230 et seq. (AB 332, 2021) | |
| Treated lumber | Wood treated with a chemical preservative is treated wood waste in California. It may only go to a composite-lined landfill cell or a hazardous waste landfill, not a regular load. | California law · Health & Safety Code §25230 et seq. (AB 332, 2021) | |
| Air conditioner | Air conditioners are major appliances with refrigerant. The special-handling parts come out before disposal. | California law · Health & Safety Code §25212 | |
| Dehumidifier | A major appliance under state law, with refrigerant inside. | California law · Health & Safety Code §25212 | |
| Freezer | Refrigerant appliance: the special-handling parts come out before disposal. | California law · Health & Safety Code §25212 | |
| Microwave oven | No electronics in our bins. OC's HHW centers take home microwaves as e-waste. | Eco Waste's published rules · CalRecycle: banned from the trash | |
| Refrigerator | Refrigerant, capacitors and switches must come out before a major appliance is crushed or landfilled, by a certified appliance recycler (or, for refrigerant alone, a certified technician). | California law · Health & Safety Code §25212 | |
| Cell phones | No electronics, and the battery inside is universal waste. | Eco Waste's published rules · DTSC universal waste rules | |
| Computer monitor | No electronics. Monitors with screens over 4 inches are covered electronic waste. | Eco Waste's published rules · Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 | |
| Computers & laptops | No electronics. E-waste is universal waste in California and can't be landfilled. | Eco Waste's published rules · DTSC universal waste rules | |
| DVD players & VCRs | No electronics. OC's HHW centers take CD, DVD and VCR players. | Eco Waste's published rules | |
| Other electronics | Our published rule: no electronics. California bans electronic devices from the trash. | Eco Waste's published rules · CalRecycle: banned from the trash | |
| Printers, scanners & copiers | No electronics. OC's HHW centers take printers, scanners, fax machines and copiers. | Eco Waste's published rules | |
| Solar panels | PV modules are universal waste in California. OC's HHW centers take photovoltaic panels (not solar thermal). | California law · DTSC universal waste rules | |
| Stereos & radios | No electronics. OC's HHW centers take stereos (not speakers) and radios. | Eco Waste's published rules | |
| Tablets & e-readers | No electronics. Tablets are covered electronic devices in California. | Eco Waste's published rules · Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 | |
| Television | No electronics. TVs are covered electronic waste in California and banned from the trash. OC's HHW centers take them free. | Eco Waste's published rules · Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 | |
| Video game consoles | No electronics. OC's HHW centers take consoles and accessories. | Eco Waste's published rules | |
| CFL bulbs | Compact fluorescents are universal waste in California. | California law · DTSC universal waste rules | |
| E-bike & scooter batteries | Hazardous lithium batteries. OC's HHW centers take e-bike batteries. | Eco Waste's published rules · DTSC universal waste rules | |
| Fluorescent light ballasts | EPA: any fluorescent light ballast made before July 2, 1979 may contain PCBs, and CalRecycle bans PCB-containing materials from the trash. OC's fact sheet doesn't list ballasts, so call first. | California law · CalRecycle: banned from the trash | |
| Fluorescent tubes | Lamps are universal waste in California and banned from the trash. | California law · DTSC universal waste rules | |
| Household batteries | Hazardous. California bans all batteries from the trash, AA and AAA included. | Eco Waste's published rules · DTSC universal waste rules | |
| Mercury thermometer | Mercury is hazardous. OC's HHW centers take mercury thermometers. | Eco Waste's published rules · DTSC universal waste rules | |
| Mercury thermostat | Mercury is hazardous and universal waste. OC's HHW centers take mercury thermostats. | Eco Waste's published rules · DTSC universal waste rules | |
| Metal halide & sodium lamps | CalRecycle bans metal halide and sodium vapor lamps from the trash. OC's fact sheet doesn't list them, so call first. | California law · CalRecycle: banned from the trash | |
| Smoke detectors | An electronic device with a battery, and some contain a small radioactive source. OC's HHW centers take them free. | Eco Waste's published rules | |
| Driveway sealer | Hazardous. OC's HHW centers list driveway sealer. | Eco Waste's published rules | |
| Glue & adhesives | Liquid adhesives are hazardous. OC's HHW centers take adhesives and glues; PaintCare doesn't. | Eco Waste's published rules | |
| Household cleaners | Acids, bases and oxidizers are hazardous. OC's HHW centers take them. | Eco Waste's published rules · CalRecycle: banned from the trash | |
| Latex paint | Hazardous material, and California bans latex and oil paint from the trash. PaintCare sites and OC's HHW centers take it. | Eco Waste's published rules · CalRecycle: banned from the trash | |
| Oil-based paint | Hazardous, and banned from the trash in California. | Eco Waste's published rules · CalRecycle: banned from the trash | |
| Paint thinner & solvents | Hazardous and banned from the trash. PaintCare doesn't take solvents; OC's HHW centers do. | Eco Waste's published rules · CalRecycle: banned from the trash | |
| Pesticides & weed killer | Hazardous and banned from the trash in California. | Eco Waste's published rules · CalRecycle: banned from the trash | |
| Pool chemicals | Oxidizers and acids are hazardous. OC's HHW centers take non-industrial pool chemicals. Never mix them. | Eco Waste's published rules · CalRecycle: banned from the trash | |
| Spray paint & aerosol cans | Non-empty aerosol cans are universal waste in California. PaintCare doesn't take aerosols; OC's HHW centers do. | Eco Waste's published rules · DTSC universal waste rules | |
| Stain, varnish & sealers | Hazardous. PaintCare takes stains, sealers and clear coats; OC's HHW centers take stains and finishes. | Eco Waste's published rules | |
| Unknown chemicals | Our rule is no hazardous materials. OC's HHW centers want containers lidded, sturdy, non-leaking and labeled. | Eco Waste's published rules · California: illegal to put hazardous waste in the garbage | |
| Antifreeze | Hazardous and banned from the trash. OC's HHW centers take it. | Eco Waste's published rules · CalRecycle: banned from the trash | |
| Brake & transmission fluid | Hazardous. OC's HHW centers take automotive fluids and cleaners. | Eco Waste's published rules | |
| Car battery | Lead-acid batteries are hazardous and banned from the trash. OC's HHW centers take them. | Eco Waste's published rules · CalRecycle: banned from the trash | |
| Gasoline & other fuels | Flammable and hazardous. OC's fact sheet lists diesel, kerosene, gas/oil mix and lighter fluid; call about straight gasoline. | Eco Waste's published rules | |
| Motor oil | Hazardous and banned from the trash. Certified used-oil collection centers take it. | Eco Waste's published rules · CalRecycle: banned from the trash | |
| Oil filters | CalRecycle lists oil filters as banned from the trash. Ask a certified used-oil center whether it takes filters. | Eco Waste's published rules · CalRecycle: banned from the trash | |
| Tires | Our published rule: no tires. California bans them from the trash too. OC's landfills and HHW centers don't take them. | Eco Waste's published rules · CalRecycle: banned from the trash | |
| Ammunition | Hazardous, and OC's HHW centers don't accept it. Ask your police or sheriff about take-back days. | Eco Waste's published rules | |
| Fire extinguishers | Pressurized. OC's HHW centers take extinguishers up to 40 lb. | Eco Waste's published rules | |
| Fireworks & explosives | OC's HHW centers don't accept explosives or fireworks. Call the OCSD Hazardous Device Section or OCFA. | Eco Waste's published rules | |
| Helium tanks | Compressed gas cylinders are banned from the trash, and OC's HHW centers don't take helium tanks. | Eco Waste's published rules · CalRecycle: banned from the trash | |
| High-pressure gas cylinders | Banned from the trash. OC's HHW centers don't take acetylene, oxygen or SCUBA/SCBA tanks. | Eco Waste's published rules · CalRecycle: banned from the trash | |
| Propane tanks | Compressed gas is hazardous. OC's HHW centers take propane tanks up to 5 gallons. | Eco Waste's published rules · CalRecycle: banned from the trash | |
| Road & marine flares | Road flares: OC's HHW centers take them from residents. Marine flares: not accepted there, so call the OCSD Hazardous Device Section or OCFA. | Eco Waste's published rules | |
| Needles & sharps | California law bans home-generated sharps from trash and recycling. OC's HHW centers take them in a puncture-proof container. | California law · California law: home-generated sharps banned from the trash | |
| Asbestos (confirmed) | Asbestos is banned from the trash in California. Under SCAQMD Rule 1403 it leaves the site in labeled, leak-tight wrap or containers with a waste shipment record. | California law · South Coast AQMD Rule 1403 |
Heavy loads: their own rate and a fill line (4)
Flat rates in 12 to 25 yard bins, filled only to the 10-cubic-yard line. The 40-yard has no heavy-load rate.
| Item | Rate (12–25 yd) | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Brick (clean) | $950 · Flat fee. | Clean brick has a flat fee. No green waste or roots in a brick load. |
| Concrete (clean) | $775 · 10 cubic yards (fill line inside dumpster). No rebar, no brick. | Clean concrete, with no rebar, no brick and no trash, has a flat rate to the fill line inside the bin. |
| Dirt & concrete mixed | $950 · 10 cubic yards (fill line inside dumpster). | Dirt and concrete together have their own flat rate to the fill line. |
| Dirt & soil (clean) | $775 · 10 cubic yards (fill line inside dumpster). | Clean dirt has a flat rate to the fill line. Trash mixed in bills at debris rates by weight. |
Ask first (39)
Legal to landfill but not covered by our published rules, or worth testing before it goes in. Text us before you load it.
| Item | Why | Options |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete roof tile | Our sheet has a clean-concrete rate but doesn't say whether concrete roof tile qualifies or bills as debris. Ask before you load it. | Ask us |
| Sod & lawn removal | Sod is grass plus soil. Our sheet prices green waste and clean dirt separately and doesn't say which applies. Ask first. | Ask us |
| Asphalt | Not on our rate sheet. Ask how to load and bill it. | Ask us |
| Cinder block | Our sheet names clean concrete and clean brick but not block. Ask which rate applies. | Ask us |
| Concrete pavers | Not named on our rate sheet. Ask whether they go as clean concrete. | Ask us |
| Concrete with rebar or mesh | Our clean-concrete rate says no rebar. The sheet doesn't say how rebar concrete is billed, so ask before you load it. | Ask us |
| Rock, gravel & stone | Very heavy, and not a line on our rate sheet. Ask which rate applies. | Ask us |
| Sand | Our rate sheet names clean dirt, not sand. Ask before you load it. | Ask us |
| Bicycle | Our rule is no tires, and a bike has two. Ask whether to take the tires off. E-bikes: the battery can't go in at all. | Ask us |
| Cooking oil & grease | Liquids and grease aren't covered by our published rules, and OC's HHW fact sheet doesn't list cooking oil. Ask us first. | |
| Lawn mower & gas yard tools | Gas and oil are hazardous and can't go in. Ask us about a drained machine; battery tools: the battery comes out. | Ask us |
| Box spring | Same as a mattress: legal, but no published policy from us. Ask first. | |
| Exercise equipment | Consoles and displays are electronics (OC's HHW centers take exercise-equipment display boards). Ask us about the frame. | |
| Furniture | Legal to landfill, but we haven't published a policy on furniture. Ask when you book. Power recliners have motors and wiring. | |
| Hot tub or spa | Has pumps, heaters and wiring, and it's bulky. Ask us before it goes in. | Ask us |
| Mattress | Legal to landfill, but we haven't published a mattress policy. Ask us. Free options: the retailer delivering your new one, or two OC landfills. | |
| Piano | Heavy and bulky. We haven't published a policy. Ask first. | Ask us |
| Appliances (general) | Anything with refrigerant (fridge, freezer, air conditioner) can't go in. For washers, dryers, stoves and water heaters, state law requires special-handling parts out first. Ask us. | |
| Clothes dryer | A major appliance under state law: special-handling parts come out before disposal. Ask us. | |
| Dishwasher | State law's list of major appliances is "not limited to" the ones it names. Ask us before it goes in. | |
| Furnace or wall heater | Residential furnaces are major appliances under state law, and EPA says old oil and coal furnaces can have asbestos door gaskets. Ask us. | |
| Small kitchen appliances | Our rule is no electronics. OC's HHW centers take programmable kitchen appliances as e-waste. Ask us about anything you're unsure of. | |
| Stove, oven or range | A major appliance under state law: special-handling parts come out before disposal. Ask us. | |
| Trash compactor | Named as a major appliance in state guidance. Ask us. | |
| Washing machine | No refrigerant, but state law still requires switches, capacitors and oils to come out before a major appliance is landfilled. Ask us. | |
| Water heater | A major appliance under state law. Gas units can have mercury pilot sensors. Ask us. | |
| Other light bulbs | Fluorescent tubes, CFLs, metal halide and sodium lamps are banned from the trash. We haven't published a rule for other bulbs: ask us. | Ask us |
| Medications | OC Waste & Recycling says most medicines can go in household trash with precautions, but drop boxes are safer. We haven't published a policy: ask us. | |
| Black floor mastic & adhesive | EPA lists flooring adhesives as a possible asbestos source. Test first. | Test first: asbestos rules |
| Cement siding & shingles (older) | EPA lists roofing and siding shingles as possible asbestos sources. Test first. | Test first: asbestos rules |
| Lead paint chips & debris | EPA treats contained lead-paint debris from a home renovation as household waste, and paid work on homes built before 1978 follows its RRP rule. Tell us before it goes in. | |
| Old acoustic ceiling tiles | EPA notes asbestos was used in ceiling and floor tiles. In an older building, test before you pull them. | Test first: asbestos rules |
| Old pipe wrap & insulation | EPA lists asbestos blankets, tape and coatings on hot-water and steam pipes. Test before you cut it. | Test first: asbestos rules |
| Old sheet vinyl & linoleum | EPA lists the backing on vinyl sheet flooring as a possible asbestos source. Test before you tear it out. | Test first: asbestos rules |
| Old textured walls & joint compound | EPA lists textured paint and patching compounds on walls and ceilings as possible asbestos sources. On an older home, test first. | Test first: asbestos rules |
| Old vinyl floor tile | May contain asbestos (EPA lists it). Rule 1403 requires an asbestos survey before any renovation or demolition. Test it first; if it's positive, it can't go in. | Test first: asbestos rules |
| Popcorn ceiling | May contain asbestos (EPA lists it). Rule 1403 requires an asbestos survey before any renovation or demolition. Test it first; if it's positive, it can't go in. | Test first: asbestos rules |
| Vermiculite insulation | EPA lists vermiculite attic and wall insulation as a possible asbestos source. Test first. | Test first: asbestos rules |
| Wood-stove millboard & heat shields | EPA lists asbestos paper, millboard and cement sheets around wood stoves, and furnace door gaskets. Test first. | Test first: asbestos rules |
Allowed (58)
Billed on the debris/trash or green waste line, by weight.
| Item | Also called | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bathtubs & shower pans | bathtub, tub, cast iron tub, fiberglass tub, shower pan | Debris. A cast-iron tub is heavy, so it counts against your tons. |
| Cabinets & vanities | cabinet, kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanity, vanity, cupboards | Remodel debris, billed by weight. |
| Carpet & carpet pad | carpet, carpeting, rug, rugs, area rug | Debris, billed by weight. Wet carpet weighs a lot more. |
| Ceramic & porcelain tile | tile, tiles, porcelain tile, floor tile, wall tile | Debris billed by weight, not a heavy-load rate. Tile and mortar are heavy, so watch your included tons. |
| Chain-link fence | chain link, chainlink, chain link fence, wire fence, fence wire | Metal debris. Concrete footings on the posts count as debris if they're mixed in. |
| Composite decking | composite deck, composite boards, plastic decking | Debris, billed by weight. Check the framing under it: OC lists decking and patio posts among common treated wood, which can't go in. |
| Construction & demolition debris | construction debris, demo debris, demolition debris, remodel debris, renovation debris | Mixed remodel debris goes in at the debris/trash rate, billed by weight. Keep out the hazardous items, electronics and tires. |
| Countertops | countertop, laminate countertop, granite countertop, quartz countertop, stone countertop | Debris, billed by weight. Stone tops are heavy, so they eat into your included tons. |
| Doors | door, interior door, exterior door, closet doors, sliding closet door | Debris, billed by weight. |
| Drywall | sheetrock, gypsum board, wallboard, plasterboard, drywall scraps | Ordinary remodel debris, billed by weight. |
| Electrical wire | wire, wiring, romex, electrical cable, copper wire | Debris, billed by weight. |
| Fiberglass & foam insulation | insulation, fiberglass insulation, batt insulation, batts, rock wool | Debris. Loose, pebbly vermiculite insulation is different: EPA lists it as a possible asbestos source. |
| Gutters & downspouts | gutter, rain gutter, rain gutters, downspout, downspouts | Debris, billed by weight. |
| Hardwood & laminate flooring | hardwood floor, hardwood flooring, laminate, laminate flooring, engineered wood | Debris, billed by weight. |
| Light fixtures (bulbs out) | light fixture, lighting fixtures, ceiling light, chandelier, recessed lights | The fixture is debris. Fluorescent tubes, CFLs and old ballasts come out first: they can't go in. |
| Lumber (untreated) | lumber, wood, scrap wood, 2x4, 2x4s | Untreated wood is debris. Pressure-treated wood is not: see treated lumber. |
| Metal ductwork | duct, ducts, ducting, hvac duct, sheet metal duct | Metal duct is debris. If it's wrapped in old insulation or tape, test the wrap for asbestos before you cut it. |
| Mirrors | mirror, wall mirror, mirrored closet doors | Debris, billed by weight. |
| Pipe & plumbing | pipes, copper pipe, pvc pipe, galvanized pipe, abs pipe | Debris. Old wrap or insulation on hot-water and steam pipes can contain asbestos: test it first. |
| Plaster & lath | plaster, lath and plaster, lath, plaster walls, wood lath | Debris, billed by weight. Textured coatings and patching compounds on older walls are on EPA's asbestos list, so test those first. |
| Plywood, OSB & particleboard | osb, particle board, particleboard, mdf, sheathing | Debris, billed by weight. |
| Scrap metal | metal, steel, aluminum, rebar, metal scraps | Debris, billed by weight. Rebar left in concrete stops it qualifying as clean concrete. |
| Shower doors & enclosures | shower door, shower enclosure, glass shower door, tub enclosure | Debris, billed by weight. |
| Sinks | sink, bathroom sink, kitchen sink, porcelain sink, utility sink | Debris, billed by weight. |
| Stucco | exterior stucco, cement plaster, stucco and wire | Debris billed by weight, not the clean-concrete rate. It's heavy. |
| Toilets | toilet, commode, porcelain toilet | Debris, billed by weight. Drain the water first. |
| Vinyl fence | pvc fence, vinyl fencing, plastic fence | Debris, billed by weight. |
| Vinyl plank flooring | luxury vinyl plank, lvp, lvt, vinyl planks, click vinyl | Debris, billed by weight. Pulling up older vinyl tile or sheet vinyl instead? Test it for asbestos first. |
| Wallpaper | wall paper, wall covering | Debris, billed by weight. |
| Windows & glass | window, glass, window glass, window frames, sliding glass door | Debris, billed by weight. |
| Wood decking (untreated redwood or cedar) | deck, deck removal, redwood deck, cedar deck, deck boards | Only untreated boards go in. OC Waste & Recycling lists decking and patio posts among common treated wood, which can't. |
| Wood fence boards (untreated) | fence, fence boards, wood fence, redwood fence, cedar fence | Untreated boards are debris. OC lists fence posts as treated wood, which can't go in. |
| Wood pallets | pallet, skid, skids, crates | Debris, billed by weight. |
| Wood, vinyl & metal siding | siding, vinyl siding, wood siding, aluminum siding, t1-11 | Debris. Cement-sheet siding or shingles on an older house can contain asbestos: test those first. |
| Asphalt roof shingles | roof, shingles, roof shingles, asphalt shingles, composition shingles | Roofing debris, billed by weight. Roofs are heavy: run the numbers in the roofing calculator. |
| Clay roof tile | clay tile, spanish tile, terracotta roof tile, roof tile, roof tiles | Debris billed by weight. It isn't one of the heavy-load rates, and it's heavy. |
| Roofing felt & underlayment | tar paper, roofing felt, felt paper, underlayment, roof underlayment | Roofing debris, billed by weight. |
| Wood shake roofing | wood shakes, cedar shakes, shake roof, wood shingles | Roofing debris, billed by weight. |
| Branches & tree trimmings | tree branches, limbs, tree limbs, brush, tree trimmings | Green waste. |
| Christmas tree | xmas tree, holiday tree, christmas trees | Green waste. Take off the stand, lights and decorations. |
| Grass clippings | grass, lawn clippings, cut grass | Green waste. |
| Green waste | yard waste, yard debris, garden waste, plant trimmings, clippings | Has its own line on our rate sheet. It can't go in a concrete or brick load, and trash mixed in bills at debris rates. |
| Ivy, vines & ground cover | vines, vine, ice plant, ground cover, bougainvillea | Green waste. |
| Leaves | leaf, dead leaves, leaf litter | Green waste. |
| Logs & tree trunks | log, tree trunk, tree trunks, firewood, tree rounds | Green waste, and heavy. |
| Palm fronds & palm trees | palm, palm tree, palm trees, fronds, palm frond | Green waste. Palm trunks are heavy. |
| Shrubs, hedges & plants | shrub, bush, bushes, hedge, hedges | Green waste. Knock the dirt off the root balls: soil adds weight. |
| Tree stumps & roots | stump, tree stump, roots, root, tree roots | Green waste. Roots and stumps can never go in a concrete or brick load, and the dirt clinging to them adds weight. |
| Barbecue grill (tank removed) | bbq, barbecue, barbecue grill, grill, gas grill | The grill is metal debris. The propane tank can't go in: take it to an HHW center. |
| Books & paper | books, magazines, files, documents, newspapers | Trash rate, billed by weight. Boxes of paper are heavier than they look. |
| Cardboard | boxes, cardboard boxes, moving boxes, box | Allowed. Break boxes down so they don't eat space. |
| Clothing & textiles | clothes, shoes, textiles, linens, bedding | Trash rate, billed by weight. |
| Dishes & kitchenware | dishes, pots and pans, pans, pots, glassware | Trash rate, billed by weight. |
| Food waste | food scraps, spoiled food, rotten food | Household trash. Bag it. |
| Household trash & junk | trash, garbage, junk, household junk, rubbish | Debris/trash rate, billed by weight. Pull out anything electronic, hazardous or with a tire. |
| Plastic items | plastic bins, plastic containers, storage bins, buckets, plastic shelving | Trash rate, billed by weight. Buckets still holding chemicals go to an HHW center instead. |
| Strollers & car seats | stroller, car seat, high chair, playpen, baby gear | Trash rate, billed by weight. |
| Toys | toy, kids toys, plastic toys, stuffed animals | Allowed. Take out any batteries first. |
Orange County household hazardous waste centers
Free, for Orange County residents only. Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed on major holidays and during rainy weather. Up to 15 gallons or 125 lb per vehicle per trip, no containers over 5 gallons, lids on and labeled. Contractors: the centers don’t take business waste, so use the county’s referral list.
| Center | Address | Open |
|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | 1071 N. Blue Gum Street, Anaheim, CA 92806 | Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| Huntington Beach | 17121 Nichols Lane, Gate 6, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 | Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| Irvine | 6411 Oak Canyon, Irvine, CA 92618 | Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| San Juan Capistrano | 32250 Avenida La Pata, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 | Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
How to use it
In 4 steps
- 1Type the item the way you'd say it: "fridge", "sheetrock", "old paint". Or tap a common question.
- 2If several things match, pick the one you mean. Each shows its verdict in words.
- 3Read who decided it: our published rule, California law, or "ask us".
- 4Not allowed? Use the Orange County drop-off listed. Ask first? Text us before it goes in the bin.
Three reasons something stays out of the bin
Our rule. Eco Waste’s published rate sheet says: “No electronics, tires or hazardous materials.” That covers TVs, computers and every other electronic device, all tires, and household hazardous products such as paint, solvents, pesticides, pool chemicals, fuel, motor oil, batteries and propane.
State law. Some things aren’t obviously “hazardous” but California keeps them out of ordinary disposal anyway. Treated wood (fence posts, deck framing, railroad ties) may only go to a composite-lined landfill cell or a hazardous waste landfill under AB 332, which stays in force until at least January 1, 2030 (and ends then only if DTSC notifies the Legislature by July 1, 2028). OC’s current fee schedule lists it at Prima Deshecha and Frank R. Bowerman landfills; an older county page says it isn’t accepted, so call before you haul. A fridge, freezer or air conditioner needs its refrigerant and other special-handling parts removed before it can be crushed or landfilled (Health & Safety Code §25212). Home sharps are banned from the trash. Asbestos follows South Coast AQMD Rule 1403.
No published policy. Mattresses, furniture, washers, dryers, stoves, asphalt, rock and a few others are legal to landfill, but our rate sheet doesn’t say how we handle them. The tool says “ask first” rather than guess. For old vinyl tile, popcorn ceilings and similar materials, the answer is to test first: check whether your job needs an asbestos survey.
Mixing changes the price, not just the rules. Absolutely no green waste or roots in loads designated for only concrete or brick. Any debris/trash combined in a dumpster with dirt, concrete, brick or green waste will be weighed and billed at debris/trash rates. All mixed loads are dumped at the landfill and charged by weight. Heavy loads are $775 for clean concrete or clean dirt, $950 for dirt and concrete together, and $950 flat for clean brick. See pricing.
FAQ
What goes in: questions
What can't go in a dumpster in Orange County?
In an Eco Waste dumpster: no electronics, tires or hazardous materials (our published rule). California law also keeps treated wood, refrigerators and other refrigerant appliances, sharps and asbestos out of ordinary disposal. OC Waste & Recycling's four HHW centers (Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Irvine, San Juan Capistrano) take most household hazardous waste free from residents, tuesday through saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Can I put a mattress in a dumpster?
Mattresses are legal to landfill in California, but we haven't published a mattress policy, so ask us before one goes in. Free options: a retailer delivering a new mattress must offer to take the old one at no extra cost, and OC Waste & Recycling takes mattresses free from residents at Prima Deshecha and Olinda Alpha landfills.
Can pressure-treated wood go in a dumpster in California?
Not in a regular load. Under AB 332 (Health & Safety Code §25230 and following), treated wood waste may only be disposed of in a hazardous waste landfill or a composite-lined cell of an approved solid waste landfill. That law is in force in 2026 and can't end before January 1, 2030. In Orange County, OC's 2026–27 fee schedule lists Prima Deshecha (public) and Frank R. Bowerman (commercial only).
Can a refrigerator go in a dumpster?
No. Health & Safety Code §25212 says refrigerant, capacitors, mercury switches and other special-handling materials must be removed before a major appliance is crushed or disposed of, and only a certified appliance recycler may remove them. OC landfills accept appliances from individual residents (not haulers or businesses).
Where do I take old paint in Orange County?
PaintCare drop-off sites take house paint, stains and clear coats in original containers up to 5 gallons. OC's HHW centers take paint, thinners and aerosol cans too, up to 15 gallons or 125 lb per trip. California bans latex and oil paint from the trash.
Can concrete and dirt go in the same dumpster?
Yes, as a mixed heavy load: $950 to the 10-yard fill line in a 12 to 25 yard bin. Keep green waste and roots out of concrete and brick loads, and keep trash out entirely: trash mixed with dirt, concrete, brick or green waste is weighed and billed at debris rates.
Something not answered here? Call or text — it’s quicker than guessing.
Sources
Where these numbers come from
- [1]Eco Waste rate sheet and rules (opens in a new tab)“No electronics, tires or hazardous materials”; heavy-load rates and fill line; mixing rules. Read September 22, 2026.
- [2]OC Waste & Recycling: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers (opens in a new tab)Four centers, addresses, Tue–Sat 9 a.m.–3 p.m., 15 gallons or 125 lb per vehicle per trip. Read September 22, 2026.
- [3]OC Waste & Recycling: HHW Collection Center fact sheet (revised July 2026) (opens in a new tab)Accepted and not-accepted lists; residents only; propane 5 gal max; extinguishers 40 lb max. Read September 22, 2026.
- [4]OC Waste & Recycling: Medication and sharps disposal (opens in a new tab)California bans home sharps from the trash; the four HHW centers take them. Read September 22, 2026.
- [5]OC Waste & Recycling: Smoke alarm or detector (opens in a new tab)Radioactive (ionization) detectors to HHW centers. Read September 22, 2026.
- [6]OC Waste & Recycling: Business hazardous waste referrals (opens in a new tab)HHW centers don't take business waste; referral list for contractors. Read September 22, 2026.
- [7]OC Waste & Recycling: What can I take to the landfill? (opens in a new tab)Appliances from residents only; tires and marine flares not accepted. Read September 22, 2026.
- [8]OC Waste & Recycling: Landfill fees, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 (opens in a new tab)Treated wood waste accepted at Prima Deshecha and Frank R. Bowerman (commercial only), not Olinda Alpha. Read September 22, 2026.
- [9]OC Recycle Guide: Ammunition, explosives, flares and fireworks (opens in a new tab)Police or sheriff take-back; OCSD Hazardous Device Section (714) 538-2694. Read September 22, 2026.
- [10]OC Recycle Guide: Tires (opens in a new tab)Some tire shops or auto supply retailers accept tires. Read September 22, 2026.
- [11]OC Recycle Guide: Mattresses (opens in a new tab)Free at Prima Deshecha and Olinda Alpha for residents; hauler bulky-item pickup. Read September 22, 2026.
- [12]OC Recycle Guide: Treated wood waste (opens in a new tab)Examples of treated wood; older page says TWW is no longer accepted at OC landfills. Read September 22, 2026.
- [13]CalRecycle: Wastes banned from the trash (opens in a new tab)Batteries, lamps, paint, aerosols, solvents, pesticides, pool chemicals, oil and filters, tires, asbestos, treated wood, gas cylinders, PCBs, mercury, electronics. Read September 22, 2026.
- [14]CalRecycle: Household hazardous waste (opens in a new tab)“It is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage.” Read September 22, 2026.
- [15]CalRecycle: Covered electronic waste (opens in a new tab)Covered device: a video display with a screen greater than four inches. Read September 22, 2026.
- [16]CalRecycle: Used and waste tire haulers (opens in a new tab)Hauling 10 or more tires needs a waste tire hauler registration. Read September 22, 2026.
- [17]CalRecycle: Used oil (opens in a new tab)Certified collection centers; may cap at 5 gallons a day. Read September 22, 2026.
- [18]DTSC: Universal waste (opens in a new tab)Eight categories; “cannot be discarded in household trash nor disposed of in landfills.” Read September 22, 2026.
- [19]DTSC: Treated wood waste (opens in a new tab)AB 332 restored the alternative management standards. Read September 22, 2026.
- [20]AB 332 (Stats. 2021, ch. 147), chaptered text via LegiScan (opens in a new tab)Composite-lined landfill disposal; household exemptions; repeal only after DTSC notice, not before Jan 1, 2030. Read September 22, 2026.
- [21]Health & Safety Code §25230 (2025 code, Justia) (opens in a new tab)“Conditionally repealed on or after January 1, 2030, pursuant to Section 25230.18.” Read September 22, 2026.
- [22]Health & Safety Code §25212 (2025 code, Justia) (opens in a new tab)Special-handling materials must come out of major appliances before disposal. Read September 22, 2026.
- [23]DTSC: Major appliance scrap recycling guidance (June 2019) (opens in a new tab)Major appliance list; refrigerants, capacitors, mercury switches; Certified Appliance Recyclers. Read September 22, 2026.
- [24]PaintCare: Products we accept (opens in a new tab)House paint, stains, clear coats, up to 5-gallon containers; no aerosols or solvents. Read September 22, 2026.
- [25]Bye Bye Mattress: California (opens in a new tab)Retailers delivering a new mattress must offer free take-back of the old one. Read September 22, 2026.
- [26]South Coast AQMD: Asbestos demolition and removal (Rule 1403) (opens in a new tab)Survey by a Cal/OSHA Certified Asbestos Consultant before demolition or renovation. Read September 22, 2026.
- [27]South Coast AQMD Rule 1403 (amended Oct 5, 2007) (opens in a new tab)Survey requirement; ACM means more than 1% asbestos; 10-working-day notice. Read September 22, 2026.
- [28]U.S. EPA: Learn about asbestos (opens in a new tab)Home products that may contain asbestos. Read September 22, 2026.
- [29]U.S. EPA: Renovation, Repair and Painting program (opens in a new tab)Paid work disturbing paint in homes built before 1978. Read September 22, 2026.
- [30]U.S. EPA: PCBs in fluorescent light ballasts (July 2020 fact sheet) (opens in a new tab)“Any FLBs manufactured before July 2, 1979, may contain PCBs.” Read September 22, 2026.
- [31]U.S. EPA: Handling lead-containing waste from RRP renovations (opens in a new tab)Contained; household waste exclusion under federal law. Read September 22, 2026.
Last reviewed . Spot something wrong? Text (949) 701-0206 and it gets fixed.
Related tools
- Dumpster Permit CheckerStreet or driveway, city by city: who issues the permit to put a bin in the road, with the source.
- Debris Weight CalculatorCubic yards of each material to tons, from the U.S. EPA's conversion factors and other published figures side by side, and what the overage would cost.
- C&D Recycling (Diversion) CalculatorFor contractors closing out a permit: tons by material from your weight tickets to a diversion rate against CALGreen's 65% or your city's stricter number.
Know what you need? Book the bin.
12 to 40-yard roll-offs and $29 dumpster bags across Orange County. Call or text with the size, the city and the day — Monday to Friday, 7:30 to 4.