The Short Answer
We can't take hazardous materials. That includes chemicals, paint, solvents, fuel, asbestos, medical waste, and similar items. These can't legally or safely go to the landfill and transfer facilities we use. Mishandling them can hurt people, start fires, or contaminate soil and water.
Why This Has More Than One Answer
"Hazardous" isn't always obvious, and the line sometimes depends on condition. For example:
- Paint. Fully dried-out latex paint is often treated differently from liquid paint. Oil-based paint is hazardous either way. Many people don't know which type they have.
- Lawn mowers and equipment. These are fine once drained, and a hazard with gas and oil still in them.
- Propane tanks. An empty tank and a full one are two very different things. Most of the time these go back to a propane exchange rather than in a junk truck.
- Building materials. Old flooring or ceiling texture may be fine, or it may contain asbestos. You can't tell by looking.
That's why the honest answer is often "send us a photo and we'll tell you."
Items We Can't Haul
- Paint, stains, and varnishes (liquid)
- Solvents, thinners, and adhesives
- Pesticides, herbicides, and pool chemicals
- Gasoline, kerosene, motor oil, and other fuels
- Propane tanks and pressurized cylinders
- Car batteries
- Asbestos or materials suspected to contain asbestos
- Medical waste, including needles, sharps, and biohazards
- Biohazards, such as significant amounts of animal or human waste
- Explosives, ammunition, and fireworks
- Unknown chemicals in unlabeled containers
Where These Items Can Go Instead
- Household hazardous waste (HHW) events. Many Georgia counties and cities hold periodic collection days for paint, chemicals, and similar items. Check your county's solid waste or public works page.
- Auto parts stores often take used motor oil and car batteries.
- Propane exchange locations usually accept old tanks.
- Pharmacies and sharps programs take needles and medications in many areas.
- Licensed asbestos abatement contractors handle suspected asbestos. Never remove it yourself.
- Certified biohazard cleaning companies handle biohazard situations. See our note on hoarding cleanup.
The Garage Problem
Garages are where most of these items hide: old paint cans, half-empty jugs of weed killer, gas cans, and leftover pool chemicals. During a garage cleanout, we'll haul everything else and leave the hazardous items set aside for you to take to a proper collection site.
What We *Can* Take
The good news is that the list of things we can take is much longer. See what junk we take for the full rundown.
