What NOT to Put in a Dumpster: A Florida Guide for Hillsborough, Pinellas & Pasco County

October 28, 2025

So, you finally decided to rent that roll-off dumpster, congrats!

So, you’ve rented a roll-off dumpster in Hillsborough, Pinellas, or Pasco County. You’re ready to toss, purge, and reclaim your space like a decluttering ninja. But before you start chucking everything from Aunt Edna’s lava lamp collection to that mysterious garage goo, let’s talk about what absolutely, positively should NOT go in your dumpster.

Spoiler alert: If it explodes, leaks, or glows in the dark… it’s probably a no-go.

Hazardous Materials (Please, no)

Florida sunshine can’t melt away the danger of hazardous materials. That means:

  • Paints, solvents, and thinners
  • Motor oil and gasoline
  • Pesticides and pool chemicals
  • Batteries (especially the juicy lithium kind)
  • Animals (uhm, yes this includes the meat in your deep freezer that even you cannot identify and the deer head from Uncle Bob's big hunting trip)

These items require special disposal methods. Tossing them in your roll-off dumpster is a big environmental no-no and could land you in hot water with local regulations.

Liquids: Because Dumpsters Aren’t Bathtubs

Liquids of any kind—yes, even that half-drunk iced coffee—should stay far away from your dumpster. They can leak, contaminate other waste, and make your dumpster smell like a swamp monster’s lunch.

The Big Screen TV from the 1986 Superbowl Party

Florida’s e-waste laws mean your old TVs, computers, and microwaves deserve a second life through proper recycling—not a dumpster burial.

  • Hillsborough County has drop-off locations for e-waste.
  • Pinellas and Pasco offer community recycling events—check your local listings!

Mattresses & Box Springs: The Dumpster Divas

Some counties (we’re looking at you, Pinellas) have restrictions on mattress disposal. These bulky items often require special handling or separate pickup. Call us before you toss your sleep sanctuary.  

Explosives & Old Ammo

First of all, there are a lot of folks who will happily take this stuff off your hands, but please don't throw it in the dumpster.
If it goes boom, it doesn’t belong in a dumpster.

This includes fireworks, ammo, and anything that might turn your rental into a scene from Breaking Bad.

Final Word from Your Dumpster Dog BFFs

Renting a roll-off dumpster in Hillsborough, Pinellas, or Pasco County is a fabulous way to declutter your life, but it’s not a free-for-all. When in doubt, ask your rental provider what’s allowed. They’ll help you stay compliant, safe, and stink-free.

Ready to roll off? Book your dumpster today and let the purging begin, just keep the 1987 meatloaf out of it, okay?