What Can You Put in a Dumpster?
Most household junk, furniture, remodeling debris and roofing shingles can go in a Cade Bros dumpster. Hazardous chemicals, wet paint and batteries cannot. Fridges and AC units with Freon, mattresses and tires are allowed for $50 extra per item.
Allowed, extra-fee and banned items
Cade Bros dumpsters take everyday household, cleanout and remodeling debris at no extra charge. Three items cost $50 each because of special landfill processing: Freon appliances, mattresses and tires. Three items are never allowed: hazardous chemicals, wet paint and batteries.
| Item | Allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Furniture, boxes, household junk | Yes | Break down large pieces to save space |
| Cabinets, drywall, flooring, tile | Yes | Tile and plaster are heavy; watch your tons |
| Lumber and construction debris | Yes | Any size |
| Roofing shingles | Yes | Check the weight math on the roofing page |
| Concrete, dirt, brick, sand | Yes, in 10 and 15-yard only | Load halfway up the walls; heavy debris rules |
| Fridges, freezers, AC units (Freon) | $50 extra each | Refrigerant must be recovered before disposal |
| Mattresses | $50 extra each | Processed separately at the landfill |
| Tires | $50 extra each | Processed separately at the landfill |
| Hazardous chemicals | No | Solvents, pool, pest and yard chemicals |
| Wet paint | No | Liquid or open cans |
| Batteries | No | Car and household batteries |
Not on the list, like yard waste or electronics? Call (956) 593-6661 before you load it.
Why do Freon appliances cost extra?
Fridges, freezers and window AC units cost $50 extra because their refrigerant has to be recovered before the appliance is disposed of. Federal rules (EPA, 40 CFR 82.155) require that recovery, so the landfill handles these units separately.
The law: 40 CFR 82.155, safe disposal of appliances. Confirm local handling with your landfill.
Where do banned items go instead?
Paint, solvents, pesticides, batteries and similar items belong at a household hazardous waste collection, not in a roll-off dumpster. The EPA recommends checking with your city or county for drop-off days, and many auto parts stores take back used car batteries.
More on household hazardous waste: EPA household hazardous waste. Check with your city for local collection days.
Questions about specific items
Can I put a mattress in a dumpster?
Yes, for $50 extra per mattress. Mattresses need special processing at the landfill, so each one is billed separately on your final invoice.
Can I put a refrigerator or AC unit in a dumpster?
Yes, for $50 extra per unit. Fridges, freezers and AC units contain Freon, a refrigerant that federal rules require to be recovered before the appliance is disposed of.
Can I put paint in a dumpster?
Not wet or liquid paint. Wet paint is prohibited. Paint and other household chemicals should go to a household hazardous waste collection; check with your city for the next collection event.
Can I put tires in a dumpster?
Yes, for $50 extra per tire. Tires go through a separate process at the landfill.
What happens if a banned item is found in my dumpster?
Call us before loading anything you're not sure about. Prohibited items like chemicals, wet paint and batteries can't be hauled, and may need to be removed before pickup.
Not sure about an item?
Call before you load it. We'll tell you if it can go in and whether it carries a fee.