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A man is betting his local garbage truck can handle something most cars can’t: an entire engine block. The video, shared by the automotive Facebook page ROY Garage, starts with the block sitting inside a residential plastic trash can. The man who left it there says tomorrow’s trash pickup will have “a real good surprise,” then slams the lid shut. ROY Garage cuts to its host, who stares into the camera and asks, “Can you do that?” Now everyone else is asking the same thing. Updated April 29, 2026.
The comment section quickly turned into a mix of jokes, advice, and one very suspicious confession. Somebody pointed out that an engine block would make “a free lunch for two” at a metal scrapyard. Another person wrote, “If it fits, it ships.” A third commenter said they would gladly haul away any unwanted engine blocks for free, just give them an address.
Then came the story that made everyone pause: one person admitted to breaking down a brick wall and slowly feeding it into a city trash can week by week until it disappeared. Funny as that is, it doesn’t answer the legal question. Can you actually throw an engine block in the trash?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency doesn’t have a rule that specifically says “no engine blocks in residential trash.” Its household waste guidance is built around broad categories like metals, electronics, and hazardous materials. Since most engine blocks are made of cast iron or aluminum, one might argue they count as scrap metal. That argument, however, isn't worth much if your local waste collector disagrees.
The EPA’s consumer-facing waste guidance was last updated on July 31, 2025. The message hasn't changed: check with your local recycling, composting, or public works department before putting anything unusual on the curb. State and county laws often decide how engine blocks and other automotive parts must be handled.
Another important detail: an engine block is not classified as “universal waste” the way some batteries and mercury-containing devices are. That puts it in a gray zone between ordinary metal and regulated auto part waste. In practice, most cities treat it as bulky waste, which usually requires a scheduled pickup or a special drop-off.
An engine block isn’t just a heavy chunk of metal. Unless it’s been fully drained, it still holds motor oil, coolant, and other chemical leftovers. Used motor oil is regulated in many areas as hazardous waste. Some jurisdictions treat illegal oil dumping as a criminal offense, not just a code violation.
A Chevrolet dealership once explained why old car parts shouldn’t go in the trash: hidden fluids can leak onto the street or into the collection truck, and local disposal laws can carry hefty fines. The dealership’s recommendation was straightforward: sell the parts, take them to a junkyard, or find a licensed recycling center.
That same advice appears in just about every municipal waste guide. If the engine is full of dirty oil, a scrap yard may reject it. Many auto parts stores accept used motor oil for free, so draining the block properly is on you before anyone else will touch it.
Automated garbage trucks are common across the U.S. The driver stays in the cab while a mechanical arm lifts the cart and dumps it. The crew may never see an engine block hiding at the bottom of the bin. That’s probably what the man in the viral video is counting on.
But here’s the problem: residential carts are usually rated for far less weight. Fifty pounds is a typical limit. An engine block can easily weigh 150 pounds or more, especially if it’s still full of fluids. That kind of weight can crack the cart, jam the lift, or send the block flying when it hits the hopper. Sanitation workers have been injured by overloaded carts before. The “surprise” in the video wouldn't be fun for anyone on the receiving end.
Municipalities across the country handle this differently, which makes the viral video even more misleading.
Minnesota has administrative rules for abandoned motor vehicles and scrap metal. Residents are expected to recycle old automotive parts in a way that complies with environmental law, which means treating them as something other than ordinary household trash.
New York City takes a similar position. Car batteries and vehicle parts have their own recycling or disposal programs. For a large solid object like an engine block, NYC asks residents to contact the regional sanitation office for instructions.
The common thread is simple: calling ahead can save you a fine, and it tells you exactly what your local hauler does or doesn’t accept.
If you have a dead engine taking up space, here are five smarter ways to deal with it.
The commenter who fed a brick wall into a city trash can got away with it. That story doesn’t mean the same trick works for an engine block. Waste inspectors can often trace trash back to a property, and a block that causes damage to city equipment could come with a bill for repairs.
“If it fits, it ships” is a funny line, but parcel shipping rules are very different from municipal waste laws. What fits in a can isn’t always what belongs in one.
Old engine disposal doesn’t have to be a mystery. A scrap yard, an online listing, or an auto parts recycler will usually take the metal off your hands, sometimes for free and occasionally for cash. This isn’t legal advice, but it is the advice you’ll hear from most waste management offices.
As for the man in the ROY Garage video, he still hasn’t said what happened when the trash truck arrived. If it went according to plan, the engine block is gone and the internet has moved on to the next questionable disposal method. If it didn’t go according to plan, he’s probably a lot quieter about it.
