Our containers go to a licensed transfer station, and the transfer station has rules about what it will take. Most of them come down to two things: materials that are hazardous, and materials that are so heavy the truck cannot legally carry a box of them. If something on the list ends up in the container, it has to come back out before pickup, and a contaminated load can cost you a fee at the scale. So it is worth two minutes to know the list.
Not accepted, and why
- Paint and liquid chemicals. Liquids leak, and paint, solvents, pesticides and pool chemicals are classed as household hazardous waste. Dried-out latex paint cans are a gray area at most facilities; the rule of thumb is that if it can pour, it stays out.
- Fuels and oils. Gasoline, diesel, kerosene, motor oil, propane cylinders. Fire risk on the truck and at the station.
- Tires. Landfills refuse them because they trap air and work their way back to the surface. New Jersey and New York both route them to recycling instead.
- Asbestos. Old floor tile, pipe wrap, some siding and roofing from mid-century houses. It needs a licensed abatement contractor and a sealed, permitted disposal path. If your house is from the 1970s or earlier and you are not sure, test before you demolish.
- Medical waste. Sharps and anything biohazardous.
- Dirt, concrete, masonry fill, stone. Not hazardous, just too heavy. A few wheelbarrows of concrete will blow past the included weight, and a box full of it can exceed what the truck is allowed to carry. These go in a separate clean-fill or masonry container, priced by the ton. Call us and we will point you to the right option.
- Refrigerators and air conditioners with the refrigerant still in them. Freon has to be recovered by a certified tech before disposal. Most Bergen towns pick up white goods by appointment for a small fee, which is usually the easiest route.
Where the hazardous items go instead
Bergen County: the Bergen County Utilities Authority runs free household hazardous waste collection events for county residents, with ID, several times a year, taking paint, automotive fluids, pesticides, propane and similar. It also runs separate tire and electronics collection days. Dates and locations are on bcua.org.
Rockland County: Rockland Green, the county solid waste authority, runs the household hazardous waste program and the transfer stations. Residents can bring bulk items to the Hillburn transfer station on Baler Boulevard, paying by card at the scale.
Your town: most towns in both counties offer some form of bulk or white-goods pickup for residents, by appointment or on a schedule. Every town page on this site lists what we found for that town.
What is fine
Everything a renovation, a cleanout or a roof produces, apart from the list above:
- Wood, lumber, pallets, fencing
- Drywall and plaster
- Roofing shingles and underlayment
- Insulation
- Carpet, pad, flooring, tile
- Cabinets, doors, windows
- Furniture, mattresses, household junk
- Metal, pipe, wire
- Yard debris: branches, brush, leaves
- Cardboard and paper
- Appliances without refrigerant
Mixed loads are normal. You do not need to sort a cleanout, just keep the prohibited items out.
What happens if something slips in
If our driver sees a prohibited item at pickup, it stays behind and we tell you. If it is buried and reaches the transfer station, the station can reject or surcharge the load, and that cost passes through. Neither happens often, and both are easy to avoid: if you are unsure about an item, call before you load it.
Questions
Can I throw out mattresses?
Yes. Mattresses and box springs are fine in either container.
Can I put a couch with a metal frame in?
Yes. Furniture of any kind is fine, metal included.
What about old TVs and computers?
Electronics are handled through county e-waste collection, not the container. BCUA runs electronics collection days for Bergen residents; Rockland Green does the same for Rockland.
Can I put dirt from a small landscaping job in?
No. Dirt, soil, sod, stone and concrete are not accepted in our containers at any quantity. Call us and we will point you to the right option.
Are dried paint cans okay?
Facilities differ on this, so the safe answer is no. Bring them to a BCUA or Rockland household hazardous waste event.
Sources: Bergen County Utilities Authority, household hazardous waste · Rockland Green, Hillburn transfer station · DeLalla Carting container terms