What Can (& Can’t) Go in a Dumpster in Halifax, NS

Renting a dumpster can be confusing. We keep it simple.

Not everything belongs in a dumpster—and some items cost extra.

This guide breaks down what’s accepted, what isn’t, and what to do with hazardous waste in the HRM.

With every dumpster, we deliver:

Single delivery and pickup

7-day rental period

Easy-access walk-in doors

Driveway protection system

Sweep-up service after pickup

Upfront pricing, no hidden fees

Disposal Facilities

There are two types of waste management facilities in the HRM, the landfill and the construction recycling centre.

Otter Lake Landfill

The landfill doesn’t accept construction materials, recyclables, or yard waste. If your bin is mixed, it has to go to C+D (and the disposal cost goes up).

Disposal Landfill Garbage Couches, chairs, tables, mattresses, bedframes, desks, dressers, broken glass, mirrors, dishes, ceramics

Furniture, Mattresses & Breakables

Couches, chairs, tables, mattresses, bedframes, desks, dressers, broken glass, mirrors, dishes, ceramics

Disposal Landfill Garbage Clothes, shoes, blankets, pillows, towels, curtains, rugs, linens

Clothing, Textiles & Soft Goods

Clothes, shoes, blankets, pillows, towels, curtains, rugs, linens

Disposal Landfill Garbage Toys, board games, wall art, picture frames, lamps, baskets, vases

Toys, Decor & Household Items

Toys, board games, wall art, picture frames, lamps, baskets, vases

Disposal Landfill Garbage Toasters, kettles, coffee makers, fans, gaming consoles, stoves, ovens, dishwashers, washers, dryers

Household Appliances

Toasters, kettles, coffee makers, fans, gaming consoles, stoves, ovens, dishwashers, washers, dryers

(No freon appliances—see hazardous list)

Disposal Landfill Garbage Plastic chairs, bins, coolers, disposable coffee cups and lids (even if labeled compostable), styrofoam, laminated paper, food wrappers

Plastic & Disposable Waste

Plastic chairs, bins, coolers, disposable coffee cups and lids (even if labeled compostable), styrofoam, laminated paper, food wrappers

Landfill Garbage Disposal Bikes, scooters, drained lawnmowers, BBQs with propane removed, plastic pools, patio furniture, old tools

Outdoor Items & Equipment

Bikes, scooters, drained lawnmowers, BBQs with propane removed, plastic pools, patio furniture, tools

C+D Recycling

Special rates apply if your bin contains only one material type (such as treated wood, shingles, or clean fill). Let us know what’s going in the bin, and we’ll guide you to the most cost-effective option.

This site also accepts household garbage, but disposal fees depend on how much is mixed in. The more construction material in the bin, the lower your disposal cost. The more landfill garbage, the higher the rate.

Disposal C+D Recycling Ceiling tile, metal, vinyl, plastic, glass, insulation, styrofoam, drywall, carpet, laminate, tile, underlay, windows, doors, siding

Construction Materials

Ceiling tile, metal, vinyl, plastic, glass, insulation, styrofoam, drywall, carpet, laminate, tile, underlay, windows, doors, siding

Disposal C+D Recycling Pressure-treated wood, painted wood, plywood

Treated Wood

Pressure-treated wood, painted wood, plywood

Disposal C+D Recycling Asphalt shingles, tar paper, nails, tar & gravel roofing

Roofing Shingles

Asphalt shingles, tar paper, nails, tar & gravel roofing

Disposal C+D Recycling Clean wood, brush, leaves, grass clippings

Yard Waste

Clean wood, brush, leaves, grass clippings

Disposal C+D Recycling Asphalt, concrete, brick, soil, sod

Landscaping Materials

Asphalt, concrete, brick, soil, sod

Disposal C+D Recycling Toilets, sinks, bathtubs, dishwashers, stoves, washing machines, dryers

Fixtures & Appliances

Toilets, sinks, bathtubs, dishwashers, stoves, washers, dryers, light fixtures, doors, trim, shelving, cabinets

(No freon appliances—see hazardous list)

Hazardous Materials

The following items are considered hazardous. Some incur additional charges while others will be rejected from the facility. Rejected items will be returned to the customer.

You will be charged per item for the following:

Disposal Hazardous Materials Car and truck tires, ATV and dirt bike tires, tractor and equipment tires, trailer tires

Tires

Car and truck tires, ATV and dirt bike tires, tractor and equipment tires, trailer tires

Tip: Most local garages accept up to four passenger vehicle tires at no cost.

Disposal Hazardous Materials Paint cans and aerosols (unless completely empty or dry), small or large propane tanks

Paint Cans & Propane Tanks

Paint cans and aerosols (unless completely empty or dry), small or large propane tanks

Tip: You can take these to the Household Special Waste depot in Bayers Lake for free.

Disposal Hazardous Materials Refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, air conditioners, water coolers

Freon Appliances

Refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, air conditioners, water coolers

Tip: The city can remove the freon for free and will tag the item—then you can put it in a bin or leave it out on garbage day.

These items are not accepted at the dump:

Disposal Hazardous Materials Gasoline, oils, transmission fluid, solvents, cleaners, pesticides, herbicides

Fuels and Chemicals

Gasoline, oils, transmission fluid, solvents, cleaners, pesticides, herbicides

Disposal Hazardous Materials Ammunition, fireworks, flares

Explosive Waste

Ammunition, fireworks, flares

Disposal Hazardous Materials Any quantity of asbestos or vermiculite, even bagged

Asbestos & Vermiculite

Any quantity of asbestos or vermiculite, even bagged

Disposal Hazardous Materials TVs, computers, monitors, batteries, CFL and fluorescent bulbs

Electronics, Batteries & Fluorescent Bulbs

TVs, computers, monitors, batteries, CFL and fluorescent bulbs

Disposal Hazardous Materials Railway ties, lawnmowers (unless fully drained of gas and oil), oil tanks (unless cut in half and completely drained)

Items Soaked With or Containing Oil

Railway ties, lawnmowers (unless fully drained of gas and oil), oil tanks (unless cut in half and completely drained)

Disposal Hazardous Materials Perishable and non-perishable food, used diapers, pet waste, cat litter, medical waste

Perishable & Biohazardous Waste

Perishable and non-perishable food, used diapers, pet waste, cat litter, medical waste

Looking to dispose of hazardous materials?

You can drop off many items for free at the Halifax Household Special Waste Depot in Bayers Lake. The facility accepts paint, chemicals, aerosols, propane, and more.

Questions? We'll help you sort it out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our dumpsters accept most household garbage, construction debris, and yard waste—like furniture, clothes, appliances (without freon), wood, drywall, shingles, and more. Each disposal facility has specific rules about what they don’t accept, so be sure to check our full disposal guide for all the details.

Some materials aren’t allowed in dumpsters or come with extra fees because they’re hazardous. This includes tires, paint cans that aren’t empty, propane tanks, freon appliances (like fridges), chemicals, pesticides, batteries, electronics, asbestos, and more. If these items end up in a dumpster, you might face extra charges, or the items could be returned to you.

Otter Lake Landfill and C+D Recycling charge extra fees for some hazardous materials, while others are not accepted at all. Many hazardous items like paint, chemicals, propane tanks, and aerosols can be dropped off for free at the Halifax Household Special Waste Depot in Bayers Lake. The city provides free freon removal for appliances—once they’ve tagged the item, you can leave it out on your garbage day or place it in a dumpster.

Yes, you can mix them in one dumpster, but this will make disposal fees  higher than if you keep them separate. If you’re unsure about what you have or want to understand how disposal works, check out our disposal guide or give us a call, we’re happy to explain how it all works!

You can put tires and propane tanks in our dumpsters, but be aware that the dump charges extra fees per item. For tires, many local garages will accept up to four passenger vehicle tires for free—just give them a quick call to confirm. Propane tanks can be dropped off for free at the Special Waste Depot in Bayers Lake.

Yes, most household appliances like stoves, washers, dryers, and dishwashers can go in dumpsters. Just remember, appliances with freon (like fridges and dehumidifiers) need special handling and aren’t accepted unless the freon is removed. The city offers free freon removal from appliances—just have them tag it, then you can leave it out on your garbage day or put it in your bin.

Fill out our bin rental form and receive confirmation within the day.

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