It’s a common question—and one with real consequences. Whether you're using natural lump charcoal or briquettes with additives, disposing of charcoal incorrectly can be unsafe, messy, or harmful to the environment. At 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, we’ve helped thousands of customers safely dispose of charcoal, ash, and old grills—especially during peak barbecue season.
This guide will walk you through how to dispose of charcoal, ash, and grilling byproducts responsibly, so you can keep the good times going.
What to do with charcoal ash
Start by safely cooling your charcoal. Close the grill vents and wait 48 hours, or carefully douse with water and stir to ensure the coals are completely out. Once cooled, collect the ash in a sealed metal container or double-bag it in heavy-duty trash bags.
Then choose a disposal method based on the type of charcoal you used:
Compost additive-free natural wood charcoal ash
If you use natural wood charcoal without chemicals or lighter fluid, the ash can be composted in small amounts or sprinkled into your garden; certain plants thrive with added alkalinity.
Best for: Gardeners or anyone using clean-burning fuel.
Trash briquette ash containing additives
Briquettes that contain additives or lighter fluid should never go in your compost. These belong in your regular trash, after the ash is completely cool and sealed in a disposable container or bag.
Reuse unused or unburned charcoal
Got leftover charcoal that didn’t fully burn? Save it for your next grill session. Store dry pieces in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Dispose of unused charcoal with additives at a hazardous waste center
Unopened or leftover briquettes with added chemicals should be dropped off at your local hazardous waste facility.
Best for: Cleaning up after tailgating events, block parties, or old BBQ supplies.
Hire a junk removal service
If you’re dealing with a large amount of charcoal ash or doing a full backyard cleanup, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? makes it easy.
How it works: Let the ash cool completely. Place it and any leftover charcoal in a sealed bag or container. We’ll pick it up right from your property—no need to haul it to the curb.
Where it goes: Our team ensures safe and responsible disposal–we recycle the recyclables, donate the donatables, and handle the rest through hazardous waste processing, or the landfill if needed. Learn more about our junk removal services and how we help with grill pickup and disposal.
What to do with old, leftover, or unused charcoal
If you’ve got unused charcoal on hand—whether the bag’s gone stale, gotten wet, or you're switching grill types—here are your options:
Store it properly in a dry, sealed container for future use.
- Give it away to a neighbor, friend, or local group.
- Dispose of it based on type:
1) Natural, additive-free: Compost or trash.
2) Briquettes with additives: Take to a hazardous waste center.
