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. Here is what Bartholomew County regulations say, and where to take the items we cannot haul.
The most common question we get before a cleanout is simple. Can you take everything?
Honest answer. Almost everything.
There are specific items 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 Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management District (BCSWMD) guidelines. It applies to property cleanouts, estate cleanouts, and junk removal jobs in Columbus, Indianapolis Southside, Bloomington, Greenwood, Franklin, Seymour, Edinburgh, Shelbyville, North Vernon, Greensburg, and surrounding Central Indiana communities.
Why some items are prohibited.
The Bartholomew County Landfill, like every licensed Indiana disposal facility, bans certain materials to protect groundwater, soil, and public health. Improper disposal of hazardous materials can result in fines for the property owner and the hauler.
We follow every BCSWMD and Indiana solid waste regulation on every job. That is non-negotiable.
Items we cannot remove.
These are banned from standard junk removal and landfill disposal in Bartholomew County.
- Hazardous household waste. Paints, solvents, pesticides, chemical products.
- Oil and oil-based products of any kind.
- Batteries of any type. Car, household, industrial.
- Electronics. TVs, computers, monitors, e-waste. They require certified recycling.
- Refrigerators, freezers, and CFC-containing appliances. They 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 anything suspected to contain asbestos.
- Biohazard materials of any kind.
Where to take items we cannot take.
Just because we cannot haul it does not mean you are stuck with it. Bartholomew County has specific resources for each category.
- Hazardous household waste. BCSWMD Tox-Away facility at 811 E. CR 450 S., Columbus IN. Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm.
- Electronics. BCSWMD Electronics Recycling accepts TVs and computers. $20 per TV or monitor.
- Appliances with CFCs. Accepted at the Bartholomew County Landfill for $20 each with proper CFC handling.
- Batteries. BCSWMD recycling locations.
- Medications and sharps. BCSWMD accepts these for safe disposal.
- Yard waste. Separate programs through BCSWMD and the City of Columbus Department of Public Works.
For questions about specific items in Bartholomew County, contact BCSWMD at 812-376-2614 or bcswmd.com. For Columbus city residents, contact Columbus Department of Public Works at 812-376-2509 or columbus.in.gov/public-works.
What we can take. Almost everything else.
Outside of the prohibited items above, Ohana handles the full range of residential and property cleanout materials.
- Furniture. Sofas, chairs, tables, beds, dressers.
- General household junk and clutter.
- Appliances that do not contain CFCs.
- Clothing, linens, soft goods.
- Boxes, bags, 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 identifies usable furniture, household goods, and clothing during every cleanout. We redirect those items to families and nonprofits in Central Indiana before anything goes to the landfill.
Responsible removal means thinking about what happens after the truck leaves. That is how we work.
Send us your photos before we arrive.
The best way to make sure your cleanout goes smoothly is to send us photos before we schedule. If there are items on the prohibited list, we flag them upfront and help you find the right disposal path. No surprises on the day.
Send photos and your property address to ohanas@ohanapropertyexperts.com or use the quote form on this site. We respond same day. We can typically schedule within 24 to 48 hours across Central Indiana.