Sorting isn’t about being nice—it’s how you keep the load haulable and the bill normal. Here’s the real-world list that crews use.

Allowed (typical)

• Cleanouts: furniture, clothing, toys, non-refrigerated appliances (doors removed).
• Construction/demo: framing, drywall, subfloor, cabinets, doors, windows (tape/wrap glass).
• Roofing shingles: yes—treat as dense.
• Yard debris: branches/leaves; keep cut ends inward to prevent punctures.

Not allowed (or special handling, period)

• Liquids/chemicals (paint, thinners, fuels, pool chems, pesticides)
• Batteries (car, lithium, tool packs)
• Pressurized tanks (propane/helium)
• Mercury items (fluorescent tubes, some thermostats)
• Refrigerant appliances (recovery required before loading)
• Tires (use tire retailers/programs)



“Ask first” items (policies vary by site)

• Electronics/TVs/monitors
• Soil, concrete, brick, dirt (heavy—clean fill rules differ)
• Railroad ties/treated wood
• Latex paint (only fully dried)

Field-tested loading rules that make anything above work

• Heavy low/centered; corners with light material.
• Break down everything bulky to kill air pockets.
• Door latched before topping from the sides.
• Below the rails—every single time.

Massachusetts (MA): Material bans and how to work around them

• Mattresses & certain e-waste: commonly diverted; staging a “no-can” pallet saves a rejected load.
• Legacy materials are dense. Plaster/lathe and masonry make a 20 feel like a 10. Use 10/15 for pure heavy, or keep 25/30 flat and pull at the stop line.
• Windows & glass: tape/wrap to keep shards contained—drivers notice and appreciate it.

Rhode Island (RI): Town nuances you should respect

• Transfer station habits differ. Don’t mix electronics with general C&D unless you’ve cleared it.
• Tight approaches mean exact placement matters. Mark the rails and the angle.
• Small-volume dense jobs (bath gut with tile/plaster): a 15 yd often beats a 20 on total fees.

SWFL / Florida: High-density materials without drama

• Tile, pavers, stone, roofing. Treat as dense from the start. A 25/30 is fine if you keep it flat and pull on time; otherwise 10/15 for pure heavy runs.
• Condo & HOA specifics: Some require itemized lists of restricted materials on site. Print it, tape it, follow it.
• Window/door replacements: stack flat, strap if needed; keep metal fasteners from puncturing liners.

Unsure about a specific item?

Shoot us a photo. Precision Disposal will say “yes/no” and point you to the right option.