We take a lot. Couches, fridges, mattresses, yard waste, construction debris, whole garages full of stuff. But there are a few things we can’t haul away, no matter how nicely you ask. Here’s what they are, why, and what you can do with them instead.
What we can’t take
- Paint
- Gas
- Chemicals
- Other hazardous materials the dumps won’t accept
That last one is a catch-all. If a disposal facility won’t accept it in a regular load, we can’t bring it there.
Why these items are off limits
It comes down to safety and where junk ends up. Everything we pick up goes to a licensed disposal facility or transfer station. Those places don’t accept hazardous materials in regular loads. Here’s why:
- They can catch fire. Gas, oily rags and some chemicals can ignite in a hot truck or a trash pile, and South Florida trucks get hot.
- They can leak. Paint and chemicals can soak into the ground and water if they aren’t handled properly.
- They can react with each other. Some household chemicals become dangerous when mixed, and a junk pile mixes everything.
- They can hurt people. That includes our crew and the people working at the dump.
So it isn’t us being picky. These items need to go somewhere built to handle them.
Common hazardous items around the house
You might be surprised what counts. Look out for these, especially in garages, sheds and under sinks:
- Old paint, stains and varnish
- Gas cans, lawn mower gas and other fuels
- Motor oil and other automotive fluids
- Pool chemicals
- Pesticides, weed killers and fertilizers
- Strong cleaners, solvents and paint thinners
- Propane tanks
- Some types of batteries
If you’re not sure about something, just send us a photo and ask.
What to do with them instead
Check your county’s household hazardous waste program
Most counties in South Florida run household hazardous waste drop-off programs for residents. Broward County has one, and so do Palm Beach and Miami-Dade. These programs are set up to take things like paint, chemicals and fuels safely. Locations, days and rules can change, so check your county’s official website or call them before you load up the car. They’ll tell you what they accept and when.
Use it up
If it’s still good, the simplest option is to use it. Leftover paint can go on a closet, a shed or a fence. A neighbor might want the rest of a bag of fertilizer.
Ask about store take-back
Some stores accept certain items, like used motor oil or batteries. Policies vary, so call ahead.
Store it safely until you can drop it off
Keep it in the original container with the label on, the lid tight, and somewhere out of the sun and away from kids and pets. Don’t mix things together to save space.
What to do on cleanout day
If you’re booking a cleanout and you’ve got hazardous items mixed in, here’s how to make it smooth:
- Pull them out ahead of time. Set them in a separate spot, away from the pile.
- Tell us about them. If we know where they are, we can work around them.
- Don’t hide them in boxes. A paint can taped inside a box can cause real problems at the dump.
If we spot something we can’t take, we’ll leave it and let you know. We won’t just toss it in.
What we can take
Plenty. Furniture, appliances, mattresses, household stuff, garage and storage unit cleanouts, construction debris and yard debris. We donate what we can. If it’s not on the hazardous list, there’s a good chance we can haul it. Some items cost a bit more to dispose of; we explain that in Dump Fees Explained.
Questions?
Not sure if something counts? Text a photo to 954-408-4024 and we’ll give you a straight answer. We’re open 7 days, 7AM to 8PM, and we serve Pompano Beach, Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade.