What Junk Removal Companies Won't Take — and What to Do Instead

We got a call last spring from a homeowner in Fairfax who had spent $400 on a junk removal company that showed up, looked at the garage, and left without taking half of it. Old paint cans, a propane tank, a bag of fertilizer. The company hadn't mentioned any of this upfront. He called us furious — not at the items, but at the surprise.

That conversation is why we wrote this. Not to cover ourselves legally, but because people deserve to know before the truck shows up what's going in and what isn't. There's no good reason to find out at the curb.

Here's exactly what we can't take, why, and — more importantly — what you can actually do with the stuff we leave behind.

— and a reputable company will turn these down rather than illegally dump them. Here's the complete list and what to do with each category.

Hazardous Household Waste

These items cannot go to standard waste facilities and require special disposal:

Paint

Both latex and oil-based paint are problematic. Latex paint can be dried out and then put in regular trash — spread it thin on cardboard in your driveway to dry, or add cat litter to harden it in the can. Oil-based paint is hazardous and must go to a HHW facility.

Motor Oil and Petroleum Products

Gasoline, motor oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze. All hazardous. In Virginia and Maryland, most AutoZone, O'Reilly, and Advance Auto locations accept used motor oil for free.

Propane Tanks

Even empty tanks retain pressure and are considered hazardous. Blue Rhino and AmeriGas have exchange programs at most hardware stores. For large tanks, contact your propane supplier for pickup.

Pesticides and Herbicides

Old bags of lawn chemicals, bottles of pesticide, weed killer. All hazardous. HHW facility only.

Pool Chemicals

Chlorine tablets, shock treatment, pH adjusters. Hazardous. HHW facility.

Batteries

Single batteries are generally fine in regular trash in Virginia. But large quantities — or rechargeable/lithium batteries — should go to a recycling center. Home Depot and Best Buy accept batteries for recycling.

Where to Take Hazardous Waste in the DMV Area

Location	HHW Program	Contact
Fairfax County	I-66 Transfer Station & I-95 Landfill	fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes
Arlington County	HHW Collection Events (seasonal)	arlingtonva.us
Alexandria City	Annual HHW collection events	alexandriava.gov
Montgomery County, MD	Shady Grove Processing Facility	montgomerycountymd.gov
Loudoun County	Loudoun County Landfill HHW	loudoun.gov

Items We Cannot Take But Others Can

Working Appliances

If your refrigerator, washer, dryer, or dishwasher still works, consider Habitat for Humanity ReStore, which accepts working appliances. Some appliance retailers also offer haul-away of old units when you buy new. If the appliance doesn't work, we can haul it — but there's a disposal fee for refrigerant-containing units.

Tires

We can take a limited number of tires (there's a per-tire disposal fee), but we can't take a full set of farm equipment tires or dozens of tires. Most tire shops will take old tires for a small fee. Costco, Discount Tire, and most dealerships accept trade-ins during service.

Asbestos-Containing Materials

Common in homes built before 1980 — floor tiles, ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, roof shingles. If you suspect asbestos, do not disturb the material. Contact a licensed asbestos abatement company. In Virginia, several licensed contractors serve the DMV area. Asbestos removal is regulated by the EPA and VDEQ.

Medical Waste and Sharps

Needles, syringes, and medical equipment. Many pharmacies have sharps disposal programs — CVS, Walgreens, and others in Virginia and Maryland accept them.

What Happens to Illegal Dumping in Virginia and Maryland

It's worth understanding what's at stake if you hire an uninsured or unlicensed hauler who illegally dumps your items. This is more common than people think — cheap "junk removal" services advertised on Craigslist or Facebook sometimes take your items and dump them on rural roads, in parks, or in storm drains.

In Virginia, illegal dumping is a Class 1 misdemeanor for first offenses and can become a felony for repeat violations or large quantities. More importantly: if your items (mail, documents, anything with your name or address) are found at an illegal dump site, you can be held responsible for cleanup costs under Virginia Code § 33.2-802.

In Maryland, penalties are similar, and Montgomery County has significantly increased enforcement in recent years.

Always ask for proof of insurance and verify that the hauler disposes of items at a licensed transfer station or recycling facility. DMV Go Junk uses licensed Fairfax County and Montgomery County facilities for all disposal.

What We Can Take That Surprises People

What We Can Take That Surprises People — Summary

We often get asked about items that people assume we can't haul — but actually can:

• Mattresses — Yes, with a recycling fee
• Old TVs and electronics — Yes, with an e-waste fee
• Refrigerators and freezers — Yes, with a refrigerant disposal fee
• Hot tubs — Yes, we cut them down and haul them away
• Pianos — Yes, with advance notice (heavy item fee applies)
• Exercise equipment — Yes, including large treadmills and ellipticals
• Construction debris — Yes, drywall, lumber, tile, concrete in reasonable quantities

We serve all of Northern Virginia, Bethesda, Potomac, and Washington DC. Licensed and insured through Fairfax County and Next Insurance.