Just an fyi: most water heater replacements require a permit (depending on your location.) Now: I'd absolutely ignore that, but just thought you should know. Also, if you're on a city-supplied trash pickup, lots of garbage collection are "spotters" for code violations. I'd haul it to the dump myself if I were you. I used to put construction debris in dumpsters where I worked -- with permission -- to avoid this.
Also, if it's been installed a while, there are likely bits of code changes here, so try to read through it. I know the insurance industry pushed through requirements for a catch pan in semi-recent years. It has to be plumbed separately to a visible outside location. Most code like this is actually in your own best interest. And it can stick out like a sore thumb in an inspection if you sell your house.