Almost everything from a cleanout, renovation or job site can go in the dumpster. A short list can't, mostly things the landfill won't accept. Here's the breakdown for Erie.
Allowed: throw it in
- Household junk: furniture, toys, clothes, boxes, carpet, rugs
- Construction & renovation debris: drywall, lumber, flooring, cabinets, siding, windows, doors
- Roofing shingles (heavy: see our roofing guide)
- Yard waste: brush, branches, leaves, sod
- Concrete, brick, dirt, asphalt: in a 10-yard only, and ask about the weight limit
- Most appliances without refrigerant (stoves, washers, dryers, dishwashers)
Restricted: allowed with a heads-up or a fee
- Mattresses & box springs: usually a per-item fee
- Tires: per-tire fee, limited quantity
- Refrigerators, freezers, AC units: refrigerant must be removed and certified first
- Electronics / TVs: varies by county; often a separate e-waste stream
- Treated lumber & railroad ties: ask first
Not allowed: never in the dumpster
- Wet paint, stains, solvents, thinners (dried latex paint cans are usually fine)
- Motor oil, fuel, antifreeze, propane tanks
- Batteries (car and lithium), fluorescent tubes, pesticides, pool chemicals
- Asbestos, medical waste, anything flammable or hazardous
Hazardous items go to the Erie County household hazardous waste program; see the Erie County waste & recycling page for drop-off days and locations.
Why it matters
If prohibited items turn up in a load, the landfill rejects or surcharges it and that cost comes back to you. A two-minute question before you toss something saves the hassle. Call (814) 679-3372 and ask.
Common questions
Wet paint, solvents, motor oil, fuel, propane tanks, batteries, fluorescent tubes, pesticides, asbestos, medical waste and anything flammable or hazardous.
Yes, but only in a 10-yard dumpster and only after confirming the weight limit, since these materials are extremely heavy.
The landfill may reject or surcharge the load, and that cost gets passed back to you, so it's worth a quick call to check first.
Get sized right in one call
Describe your Erie project and we'll recommend the size and quote a flat price.
Call (814) 679-3372