What Junk Removal Companies Won't Take (and Why)

Published by Decatur Junk Pros | Serving Decatur, GA 30030 and DeKalb County

Almost every junk removal job in Decatur has at least one item that can't go on the truck. Knowing what those items are before the crew arrives — and knowing where to take them instead — saves time, prevents surprises, and keeps the job moving. Here's the full list of what we and most professional junk removal companies won't haul, and where to dispose of each item properly in the DeKalb County area.

Paint (Latex and Oil-Based)

Paint is the most commonly misunderstood item on this list. Many homeowners assume old paint cans are just trash. They're not — liquid paint cannot go to the landfill in Georgia, and dried paint in open cans has its own handling requirements depending on the transfer station.

Where to take it: DeKalb County's Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) drop-off facility accepts paint and other household chemicals free for DeKalb County residents. The facility is located on Wesley Chapel Road. Hours and scheduling are available through DeKalb County's solid waste program. PaintCare drop-off locations (hardware stores and paint retailers across the Decatur area) accept latex and oil-based paint at no charge year-round.

What we can take: Empty paint cans (dry, rinsed), the shelf the paint was stored on, any surrounding junk that isn't paint or chemicals.

Solvents, Motor Oil, and Household Chemicals

This category includes: turpentine, mineral spirits, acetone, gasoline (even small amounts), motor oil, antifreeze, pool chemicals, drain cleaners, and other flammable or corrosive liquids. These are classified as hazardous waste and cannot go to standard transfer stations.

Where to take it: DeKalb County's HHW drop-off (same location as paint, above). Many auto parts retailers (AutoZone, O'Reilly, etc.) accept used motor oil for recycling at no charge. Do not pour motor oil down a drain or on the ground — it's a water contamination issue and subject to Georgia EPD enforcement.

Pesticides and Herbicides

Old pesticide and herbicide containers — even partially full ones stored in a garage for years — are hazardous waste. Lawn and garden chemicals from the 1970s and 1980s (common in Decatur's older homes) may contain compounds that are now banned or restricted.

Where to take it: DeKalb County HHW drop-off. Do not pour down drains, into the yard, or into regular trash.

Asbestos-Containing Materials

This is the most important one for Decatur homeowners to understand. Homes built before 1980 — and many Decatur homes were built between 1920 and 1960 — may contain asbestos in:

• 9"×9" floor tiles (a distinctive size common in pre-1980 kitchens and bathrooms)
• Tile adhesive (the mastic or black adhesive under those tiles)
• Popcorn/acoustic ceiling texture
• Pipe insulation (gray or white corrugated wrap around pipes)
• Some vermiculite attic insulation
• Some roofing shingles and siding (transite)

Undisturbed asbestos-containing materials are generally not dangerous. Disturbed or demolished asbestos is a serious health hazard. No junk removal company should demo or haul undisturbed asbestos-containing materials — doing so requires a licensed abatement contractor and special disposal.

What to do: Before any demo in a pre-1980 Decatur home, test suspect materials. Licensed asbestos testing labs in the Atlanta area can test samples at a modest per-sample fee. If materials test positive, hire a licensed abatement contractor before demo begins. We can refer abatement contractors in the DeKalb County area.

Medical Waste and Sharps

Needles, lancets, syringes, and other sharps cannot go in regular trash or on a junk removal truck. This is relevant for estate cleanouts of homes where a diabetic or medically dependent person lived.

Where to take it: Many DeKalb County pharmacies participate in sharps disposal programs. Walgreens and CVS locations with in-store kiosks accept sharps at no charge. DeKalb County also maintains a sharps disposal program — check the county's solid waste site for current locations.

Sealed Propane Tanks

Full or "empty" propane tanks (both standard BBQ cylinders and larger tanks) cannot go on a junk removal truck — even small residual propane makes them a fire hazard in an enclosed truck. Tanks that are genuinely purged and vented by a propane supplier can sometimes be recycled as scrap metal, but this requires professional purging first.

Where to take it: Blue Rhino and AmeriGas exchange locations (most home improvement stores and many grocery stores) accept old tanks as part of their exchange programs. Many propane suppliers will pick up expired tanks.

Vehicle Tires

Standard passenger and truck tires cannot go to Georgia's standard C&D transfer facilities without a tire surcharge, and most junk removal companies exclude them from standard haul-away.

Where to take it: Most tire retailers (Discount Tire, Firestone, independent shops) charge a small per-tire disposal fee for old tires. DeKalb County sometimes runs tire amnesty events — check the county website for current programs.

What We CAN Take (Everything Else)

The list above covers the main categories of items that require special disposal. Everything else in a standard residential cleanout — furniture, appliances, electronics, mattresses, construction debris, clothing, boxes, garden equipment, exercise equipment, and general household junk — we haul. For appliances containing refrigerant (refrigerators, window A/C units, dehumidifiers), we handle EPA-compliant refrigerant recovery at the transfer facility.

The Bottom Line

Most items in a Decatur home haul-away without issue. The items on this list are the exceptions — and they all have accessible local disposal alternatives. If you're not sure whether a specific item can be hauled, call (470) 465-8842 and describe it. We'll tell you immediately whether it goes on the truck or needs a different route. We'd rather flag it on the phone than arrive and discover a garage full of paint cans.

Questions to Ask Your Junk Removal Company

1. What items can't you take?
2. Where does paint and chemicals go in DeKalb County?
3. How do you handle appliances with refrigerant?
4. What do you do if you discover suspected asbestos mid-job?
5. Can you haul construction debris from a pre-1980 renovation?
6. Do you separate recyclables from landfill items?

What Not to Do

Don't pour chemicals down the drain or on the ground. Don't put hazardous waste in regular trash bags and hope it goes unnoticed — transfer stations scan loads and reject obvious hazardous material, which can result in the load being returned to you. Don't assume old paint cans are "dried out enough" — the standard for compliant disposal is complete drying and an open lid, not just hard on top. When in doubt, take it to the HHW drop-off.

Decatur-Specific Considerations

Decatur's older housing stock — especially the pre-war bungalows in Oakhurst, Winnona Park, and Decatur Heights — is more likely to contain pre-1980 materials that may include asbestos. If you're planning a renovation in a Decatur home built before 1980 and haven't had an asbestos inspection, schedule one before demo begins. It's a few hundred dollars and protects your family and your contractors. The DeKalb County HHW drop-off on Wesley Chapel Road serves the entire county and is free for county residents — use it. It's a significantly better resource than most metro Atlanta counties offer, and it handles everything on this list except asbestos.

Common Misconceptions

"If the paint is dried, it's fine to throw away." Partially — latex paint that is fully dried (not just skinned over) in an open container can go to landfill in Georgia. Oil-based paint, even dried, is still regulated. When in doubt, HHW drop-off.

"The junk removal company will figure it out." A legitimate company will stop and tell you what can't go. An unlicensed or careless operator may load it anyway and dump it improperly — creating potential downstream liability for you as the property owner who generated the waste.

"Old appliances aren't a problem." Refrigerators made before 1995 may contain CFCs (the old ozone-depleting refrigerants); those made after 1995 typically contain HCFCs or HFCs. All must be recovered before disposal under EPA Section 608. Legitimate junk removal companies handle this at the transfer facility, not on your property.

"I can just put everything at the curb." DeKalb County's bulk pickup accepts a limited list of items. Paint, chemicals, tires, and hazardous materials are not on the accepted list for curbside pickup.

Related reading: What Affects Junk Removal Cost in Decatur | Residential Junk Removal | Construction Debris Removal