Items We
Don't Take.
Most things we haul without hesitation. A short list of hazardous materials require specialized disposal — here's what they are, why we can't take them, and where they should actually go.
What We Can't Haul And Why.
Each item below requires hazardous waste handling that a standard junk truck isn't licensed or equipped for. We include disposal alternatives for each one.
Paint
Not AcceptedWhy we can't take it: Paint — latex, oil-based, and spray — is classified as household hazardous waste in North Carolina. It cannot go in a junk truck or a landfill.
NC PaintCare accepts paint at participating drop-off locations including Sherwin-Williams, Ace Hardware, and True Value stores throughout NC. Find the nearest location at paintcare.org.
Motor Oil & Vehicle Fluids
Not AcceptedWhy we can't take it: Used motor oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, and brake fluid are hazardous and require specific recycling streams. One quart of motor oil can contaminate 250,000 gallons of groundwater.
AutoZone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, and Advance Auto Parts accept used motor oil at no charge. Many county waste facilities also have used oil collection tanks.
Propane Tanks
Not AcceptedWhy we can't take it: Full or partially full propane tanks are a fire and explosion hazard in a junk truck. We cannot load pressurized tanks regardless of size.
Blue Rhino and AmeriGas propane exchange locations accept old tanks. Hardware stores with exchange programs (Home Depot, Lowe's) will swap an old tank for a full one for a fee.
Gasoline & Fuels
Not AcceptedWhy we can't take it: Gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and other flammable fuels cannot be transported in a standard junk removal truck. This includes old fuel cans with residue.
Empty fuel cans (cleaned) can go to metal recycling. Old gas should be taken to a county hazardous waste collection event or a licensed fuel recycling facility.
Chemicals & Pesticides
Not AcceptedWhy we can't take it: Cleaning chemicals, pool chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and industrial solvents require hazardous waste handling. Mixing unknown chemicals during loading creates a safety hazard.
North Carolina counties hold periodic household hazardous waste (HHW) collection events. Check your county's solid waste website for the next event date. Some municipalities have permanent HHW drop-off sites.
Asbestos-Containing Materials
Not AcceptedWhy we can't take it: Asbestos is a regulated hazardous material in NC. Removal, transport, and disposal requires licensed abatement contractors and specific disposal protocols. This applies to floor tiles, roofing felt, pipe insulation, and joint compound from pre-1980 construction.
Contact a certified asbestos abatement contractor. In NC, these contractors are licensed through the NC Department of Labor. NC DEQ regulates asbestos disposal at approved facilities.
Medical Waste & Sharps
Not AcceptedWhy we can't take it: Used needles, syringes, lancets, and other sharps, along with medical waste from care settings, require specialized disposal to prevent bloodborne pathogen exposure.
Many pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid) have sharps disposal programs. NC's MedReturn Drug Collection program collects certain medical waste. Hospitals have sharps disposal boxes in restrooms.
Tires
Not AcceptedWhy we can't take it: Tires are banned from landfills in North Carolina. They require a separate disposal stream through licensed tire retailers and recyclers.
Tire retailers (Discount Tire, NTB, Firestone) typically charge a small disposal fee to take old tires. Many county solid waste facilities have tire collection programs for a per-tire fee.
Everything Else? We Take It.
Furniture, appliances, mattresses, electronics, yard waste, construction debris, hot tubs, exercise equipment, estate cleanouts, scrap metal — if it's not on the hazardous list above, we can almost certainly haul it.
See Everything We Take →Don't Take FAQ.
Not Sure If We Take It?
Call and Ask.
Give us 30 seconds on the phone and we'll tell you whether it qualifies. Free on-site quote for everything we do take.