What Can You Put in a Dumpster?
Allowed, $50 per item, or not allowed. The full list, plus where banned items go in the Midland and Odessa area.
What can you put in a dumpster?
You can put most household junk, furniture, wood, drywall, flooring, shingles and yard debris in a Hayes Bros dumpster. Mattresses, tires and Freon appliances cost $50 each. Hazardous chemicals, wet paint and batteries are not allowed. Concrete and dirt go only in a 10 or 15-yard, half full.
Allowed
- Furniture, couches, chairs, tables
- Household junk, boxes, clothing, toys
- Wood, lumber, pallets, fencing
- Drywall, plaster, insulation
- Carpet and pad, flooring, tile
- Cabinets and countertops
- Asphalt shingles, felt, flashing
- Brush, limbs and yard debris
- Concrete, dirt, caliche, brick, rock (10 or 15-yard only, half full)
- Dried-out latex paint cans, lids off
$50 per item
- Mattresses and box springs
- Car and truck tires
- Refrigerators and freezers (Freon)
- Window and central AC units (Freon)
Freon must be recovered before an appliance is disposed of (EPA, 40 CFR 82.155).
Not allowed
- Hazardous chemicals, solvents and pesticides
- Wet paint
- Batteries of any kind, including car batteries
- Motor oil, fuel and other liquids
- Propane tanks and pressurized cylinders
- Asbestos-containing material
Household hazardous waste guidance: EPA.
Can you put a mattress, tires or a fridge in a dumpster?
Mattresses, tires and appliances with Freon can go in a Hayes Bros dumpster for $50 each, because the disposal site has to process them separately. Tell us how many when you book so the fee is on your quote, not a surprise on the invoice.
Only one or two of these items? City of Midland residential trash customers can schedule free bulky pickup of furniture and appliances, including refrigerators, freezers and AC units, at 432-685-7278 (midlandtexas.gov, checked October 21, 2026).
Where do banned items go instead?
Banned items go to household hazardous waste collection, a recycler or a retailer take-back program instead of a dumpster. In Odessa, the Odessa Recycle Center is the household hazardous waste program named in the Permian Basin regional solid waste plan. Many auto parts stores take used car batteries and motor oil.
| Item | Where it goes in the Midland–Odessa area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Latex paint | Dry it out on cardboard or wood with the lid off; the City of Midland says it can then go in the trash | City of Midland |
| Chemicals, solvents, pesticides | Household hazardous waste collection. In Odessa: Odessa Recycle Center | PBRPC plan, 2022 |
| Recyclables (cardboard, aluminum, plastics) | Butt's Recycling Center, 26 W. Industrial Loop, Midland; City of Odessa drop-off, 816 W. 42nd St. | City of Midland |
| Brush from your own yard | Midland residents: Citizens Collection Station, 4100 Smith Road | City of Midland |
| Car batteries, motor oil | Retailer take-back; not accepted in Midland city trash | City of Midland |
Checked October 21, 2026. Hours and accepted items change; call the facility before you go.
What happens if a banned item is found in my dumpster?
If a banned item is found, it has to come out before disposal, and a fee item found in the load is billed at $50. Hazardous liquids can contaminate the whole load. When in doubt about an item, call before you toss it.
Not sure about an item? Ask before it goes in.
Call now(432) 271-7500Straight answers
What-can-go-in questions
Can I put paint in a dumpster?
Wet paint is not allowed. Latex paint that has been fully dried out with the lid off is treated as solid trash.
Can I put a refrigerator in a dumpster?
A refrigerator, freezer or AC unit can go in for $50, because the Freon has to be recovered before disposal.
Can I put tires in a dumpster?
Car and truck tires go in for $50 each.
Can I put yard waste and brush in a dumpster?
Brush, limbs and yard debris are allowed in any size. Stumps with lots of dirt count as heavy debris.
Can I put electronics in a dumpster?
Ask when you book. TVs and computer monitors are handled differently by disposal sites, and we will tell you whether yours can go in.
One call. Done.
Book your dumpster today
Tell us the project and ZIP. We'll confirm the size, the all-in price and your delivery day in one call.
Book by 3:00 PM for next-day delivery · Deliveries 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM