Restricted items
What Junk Koala can't take
Why these are excluded
It isn't us being difficult
Junk removal trucks are permitted to carry general solid waste. They are not permitted to carry hazardous waste, and the facilities that receive our loads are not licensed to accept it. A single can of paint thinner in a load can contaminate the whole thing and get a truck turned away at the gate.
Some categories go further than that. Asbestos and lead abatement are licensed trades with legally mandated procedures. Biohazard remediation requires containment and disposal controls a junk crew does not have. These are not jobs to improvise.
If a crew finds something on this list during a job, they will set it aside, tell you what it is, and point you at the right route for it — rather than quietly loading it.
The full list
Restricted categories and where they go
Paints, solvents and chemicals
These are classified as household hazardous waste. They cannot legally be transported on a general junk removal truck or accepted at a standard transfer station.
- Oil-based paint, stain and varnish
- Paint thinner, solvents and strippers
- Adhesives, resins and sealants
- Pool chemicals
- Pesticides, herbicides and fertilizer
- Cleaning chemicals and bleach
Where it should go
Most counties run a free household hazardous waste drop-off for residents. Latex paint is often an exception — once fully dried out, it can usually go in regular trash. Check your local program for both.
Fuels, oils and pressurized containers
Flammable liquids and pressurized cylinders are a fire and explosion risk in a loaded truck and are prohibited from transport.
- Gasoline, diesel and kerosene
- Motor oil, transmission fluid and antifreeze
- Propane tanks and camping cylinders
- Helium and compressed gas cylinders
- Fire extinguishers
- Butane and lighter fluid
Where it should go
Auto parts stores commonly accept used motor oil and antifreeze. Propane exchange programs take standard barbecue cylinders. Everything else goes to household hazardous waste.
Asbestos and lead materials
Disturbing, transporting and disposing of these is regulated work requiring a licensed abatement contractor. It is a legal requirement, not a preference.
- Asbestos insulation, siding and floor tile
- Popcorn ceilings in pre-1980 buildings
- Asbestos pipe wrap and duct tape
- Lead paint debris
- Lead pipe and flashing
- Contaminated demolition debris
Where it should go
Have the material tested first, then engage a licensed asbestos or lead abatement contractor. If a crew suspects asbestos on site, they will stop and flag it rather than load it.
Biological and medical waste
This requires licensed remediation or medical waste handling with specific containment, transport and disposal controls.
- Sewage and flood contamination
- Mold remediation debris
- Animal waste and carcasses
- Needles, sharps and syringes
- Blood-contaminated material
- Death scene and trauma cleanup
Where it should go
Engage a licensed biohazard remediation company. Pharmacies and health departments run sharps disposal programs. Once a property has been professionally remediated, ordinary removal can proceed.
Explosives, weapons and radioactive material
These are prohibited from transport outright and are handled by law enforcement or specialist agencies.
- Ammunition and firearms
- Fireworks and flares
- Explosives and blasting materials
- Radioactive material and sources
- Smoke detectors containing americium
- Military ordnance of any kind
Where it should go
Contact your local police department, which will handle firearms and ammunition and can advise on ordnance. Many smoke detector manufacturers run mail-back programs.
Other restricted items
These are either banned from general disposal in most jurisdictions or need a dedicated recycling stream.
- Vehicle and marine batteries
- Lithium-ion batteries and power tool packs
- Fluorescent tubes and CFL bulbs
- Mercury thermostats and thermometers
- Untreated railroad ties in some jurisdictions
- Vehicles, boats and trailers
Where it should go
Auto parts retailers take vehicle batteries. Hardware stores commonly accept fluorescent tubes and rechargeable batteries. Vehicles go to a licensed auto recycler or salvage yard.
Check your local rules too
Disposal rules are set locally and vary more than people expect. Some states ban electronics from landfill outright; some counties accept latex paint in regular trash once it has dried; some municipalities restrict treated lumber or railroad ties.
Your county or city solid waste department is the authority on this, and most run a free household hazardous waste drop-off for residents. It is worth a search before you assume something has no route.
Get started
Everything else, we'll take
Furniture, appliances, electronics, yard waste, renovation debris and general clutter. Book a pickup or request a quote.
