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Dumpster Rental Capacities: How Much Weight Is Too Much?

May 07, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a surge in construction and renovations. If you are planning a home improvement or landscaping project, you may be trying to figure out the best way to dispose of waste materials.

While dumpsters have long been associated with construction sites, more homeowners and contractors are turning to them for a variety of cleanup projects. That's because they are a safe, durable, and convenient waste disposal tool.

There is a wide range of dumpster rental capacities available. These include large ones for major projects to smaller ones for home renovations or landscaping. Which dumpster is right for you depends on the size and scope of the job, as well as your budget.

The information below lays out the options you have for dumpster rental sizes. It also provides some insight into the types of jobs and materials each can handle.

Dumpster Rental Basics

Dumpsters are often referred to as “roll-off dumpsters” because a special truck transports them and rolls them off the bed in the desired location. They range in size and capacity.

Most dumpsters can handle almost any waste material. The one exception is hazardous waste. This includes toxic, corrosive, and flammable chemicals, including batteries.

Hazardous waste can be dangerous to personnel who transport the dumpster and can harm the environment. Once deposited in a landfill, these materials can seep into the soil and groundwater.

It is always important to not exceed the weight capacity of a dumpster. You also should evenly distribute waste inside it. Too much on one side could cause the dumpster to shift during transportation.

It also is important that your dumpster is not overflowing. Keep this in mind if you are disposing of large items, like furniture.

You should not pile waste higher than the walls. Most reputable companies will not transport the dumpster if you do.

There also are special functions of some dumpsters. For instance, some are designed for washing out concrete chutes or mixing containers. This keeps the “wash-out” from becoming an environmental hazard. You can request this capability when ordering your dumpster.

Dumpster Rental Capacities

Most dumpsters are 8 feet wide and either 4 or 6 feet high. The length is the dimension that most often changes with capacity. These can run from about 10 feet to 40 feet.

Besides size, dumpster rental capacities vary as well. The larger, 20- to 40-cubic-yard dumpsters are often those you see at construction sites.

They can hold four to five tons of materials and are ideal for projects that generate a lot of waste, such as new home construction. Smaller bins, in the 10- or 11-foot-range can hold up to 4,000 pounds.

A common misconception is that a dumpster’s weight capacity is whatever material can fit inside it. But weight limits are based on the amount of waste that can be safely transported inside the dumpster. 

When it comes to smaller dumpsters, there are a few options you can choose from. Here are a few of the most common.

Bag-Style Dumpsters

Bag-style dumpsters are made of the same type of durable material as tarps. Some of them can store up to five cubic yards but have lower weight limits than other, sturdier types of dumpster.

One of the big advantages of bag-style dumpsters is that they are transportable, so you can locate them near the job site. But, even for small projects, there are some downsides.

First, relative to capacity, the bags themselves are quite pricey. Also, you are going to have to make arrangements with local Waste Management to pick them up. This will incur a fee, which can run between $100 and several hundred dollars per bag, depending on where you live.

Trailer Dumpsters

Trailer dumpsters are another popular option for smaller projects. These vary in size, but you can get them as large as 12 cubic yards in dumpster capacity. Since they have wheels, you can move around the property using the towing vehicle.

One thing to think about if you are considering going with a trailer dumpster is that you need to have a vehicle with the towing capacity to haul it when loaded down. This alone can place limits on its capacity.

You’re also going to have to transport the dumpster and arrange for disposal yourself. Like with bag-style dumpsters, these costs can far outweigh any conveniences trailer dumpsters afford.

Roll-off Dumpsters

Many people overlook roll-off dumpsters as solutions to smaller jobs. These usually come in the standard weight and height, but are about 10 or 11 feet in length.

They are ideal for smaller home renovation projects, like a roof or floor replacement. Small roll-off dumpsters are as robust as larger ones and can contain heavy materials like asphalt or concrete. They can even accommodate concrete “wash-out,” usually upon request.

A 10-cubic-yard dumpster has a weight capacity of about 2 tons of materials. That is about three times the amount of even the largest bag-style dumpster.

Also, you don’t have to worry about the hassle of retrieving it before the project or returning it afterward. And the rental company handles the disposal of materials.

The total cost of a smaller roll-off dumpster can be cheaper than a trailer or bag-style dumpster. And when you calculate the fee per ton, you are getting much more bang for your buck.

The biggest advantage of roll-off dumpsters is convenience. You will pay a single fee for everything from delivery of the dumpster to disposal of the waste.

Find the Right Dumpster for Your Project

Now that you have an idea of the different dumpster rental capacities, you can find one to suit your home or business needs. If you are unsure what size and weight capacity you need, contact a local retailer. They will be able to give you an estimate based on your description of the project.

At Payless Rolloff, we provide dumpster rental services for construction sites and the general public. In most cases, we offer same-day delivery of 10- to 40-cubic-yard dumpsters. We pride ourselves on offering the lowest rates available, so reach out to us today for a free estimate.

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