If you’re undertaking a new re-modeling project or removing clutter from your home, or office, you likely are considering renting a dumpster to store all of the junk and trash material during the job. While it’s fine to throw most items in your dumpster, there are certain things that may not be put into your rented bin. Below are a few of the things that you can’t put in your rented dumpster bin.

Paints and Solvents

Most people have some leftover paint, or some kind of finish or solvent sitting in their garage or shed they would love to throw away. Throwing commercial paint, caulking tubes and solvents to the dumpster is not advised as they contain dangerous chemicals which, if not properly disposed of, may leech into waterways.

Automotive Fluids

Oil, engine coolants, transmission fluids and essentially any liquids which you utilize to run your automobile shouldn’t be thrown into a dumpster. They present similar hazards to the environment as paints and solvents and should be disposed of correctly.

Strong Cleaning Agents

Strong cleaning agents, especially ones that aren’t made from natural components, like the kind you’d use on home appliances, or in drains are caustic, noxious and extremely harmful to the environment. There are typically special recycling and disposal facilities in many cities and towns specifically for these products.

Electronics

Electronic waste, or e-waste, should be properly disposed or recycled at an e-waste center. (ie. commercial laundry parts and coin-operated washers and dryers). Many areas have prohibited electronic waste in landfills and when your dumpster rental company sees that you have included e-waste in the dumpster, they would add a substantial fee on top of everything else because it will ultimately need to be removed.

Batteries

Batteries often contain mercury, although newer batteries do not rely on it as much, it is still advised to get rid of batteries correctly, so finding a facility which accepts used batteries and understands how to properly dispose of them.

You can put almost anything in your dumpster rental, however avoid including anything that seems like it would be hazardous to the environment and other people’s health. Dangerous chemicals, batteries and electronics are the main items on this list, but if you are not certain, you could always consult with your dumpster rental company before going through with the process.

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To help you enjoy life and have your finances help you reach your life goals, speak to Vancouver financial advisor, Bily Xiao. He is a Certified Financial Planner in Vancouver with a background at Microsoft and other tech companies. His Vancouver Financial Planner website has been cited on Forbes, Yahoo Finance and The Huffington Post for his financial expertise and is a member of the Financial Planning Association of Canada.