What Items Can't Go in a Junk Removal Truck in Indiana: A Central Indiana Guide
Not everything can go in a junk removal truck in Indiana. Before you schedule a cleanout, here's what Bartholomew County regulations say about hazardous waste, electronics, appliances, and where to take the items we can't haul.
One of the most common questions we get before a cleanout is: 'Can you take everything?' The honest answer is almost everything. There are specific items that Indiana law and Bartholomew County solid waste regulations prohibit from standard junk removal and landfill disposal. Knowing what those items are before we arrive saves time, prevents delays, and protects everyone involved.
This guide is based on guidelines from the Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management District (BCSWMD) and applies to property cleanouts, estate cleanouts, and junk removal jobs in Columbus, Indianapolis, Lafayette, Bloomington, Greenwood, and surrounding Central Indiana communities.
Why Some Items Are Prohibited
The Bartholomew County Landfill, like all licensed Indiana disposal facilities, bans certain materials to protect groundwater, soil, and public health. Improper disposal of hazardous materials can result in significant fines for the property owner and the hauler. As a responsible operator, Ohana Property Services follows all BCSWMD and Indiana solid waste regulations on every job.
Items We Cannot Remove
The following items are banned from standard junk removal and landfill disposal in Bartholomew County:
- Hazardous household waste such as paints, solvents, pesticides, and chemical products
- Oil and oil-based products of any kind
- Batteries of any type, including car, household, and industrial
- Electronics such as TVs, computers, monitors, and e-waste (require certified recycling)
- Refrigerators, freezers, and CFC-containing appliances (require special handling)
- Whole tires (quartered tires are accepted at the landfill at additional cost)
- Solar panels
- Medical waste, medications, and sharps
- Any liquids or containers with liquids
- Closed or sealed drums of any kind
- Asbestos or materials suspected to contain asbestos
- Biohazard materials of any kind
What To Do With Items We Can't Take
Just because we can't haul it doesn't mean you're stuck with it. Bartholomew County has specific resources for each category of prohibited item:
- Hazardous household waste: take to the BCSWMD Tox-Away facility at 811 E. CR 450 S., Columbus IN. Open Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm
- Electronics: BCSWMD Electronics Recycling accepts TVs and computers. $20 fee per TV or computer monitor
- Appliances with CFCs: accepted at the Bartholomew County Landfill for $20 each with proper CFC handling
- Batteries: accepted at BCSWMD recycling locations
- Medications and sharps: BCSWMD accepts these for safe disposal
- Yard waste: separate yard waste programs available through BCSWMD and City of Columbus Dept. of Public Works
For questions about specific items in Bartholomew County contact BCSWMD directly at 812-376-2614 or visit bcswmd.com. For Columbus city residents contact Columbus Dept. of Public Works at 812-376-2509 or visit columbus.in.gov/public-works.
What We Can Take: Almost Everything Else
Outside of the prohibited items listed above, Ohana Property Services handles the full range of residential and property cleanout materials:
- Furniture, including sofas, chairs, tables, beds, and dressers
- General household junk and clutter
- Appliances that do not contain CFCs
- Clothing, linens, and soft goods
- Boxes, bags, and miscellaneous household items
- Construction debris and renovation waste
- Yard waste and outdoor items
- Exercise equipment and recreational items
- Mattresses
- Metal items and scrap
- Estate contents and inherited property items
How The Hearth Project Fits In
When we remove items from a property, our first question is not where it goes to be disposed of. Our first question is whether it can be given a second life. Through The Hearth Project, Ohana Property Services identifies usable furniture, household goods, and clothing during every cleanout and works to redirect those items to families and nonprofits in Central Indiana rather than sending them to the landfill.
Responsible removal means thinking about what happens after the truck leaves. That is the Ohana way.
Send Us Your Photos Before We Arrive
The best way to make sure your cleanout goes smoothly is to send us photos of the property before we schedule. If there are items on the prohibited list we will flag them upfront and help you find the right disposal path so there are no surprises on the day of the job.
Send photos and your property address to ohanas@ohanapropertyexperts.com or use the quote form on this site. We respond same day and can typically schedule within 24 to 48 hours across Columbus, Indianapolis, Lafayette, Bloomington, Greenwood, Franklin, Seymour, and surrounding Central Indiana communities.