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How Much Weight Can a 20 Yard Dumpster Hold?

Last Updated: March 25, 2024

How Much Weight Can a 20 Yard Dumpster Hold?

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Starting a new DIY or decluttering project can be daunting. But the disposal of all the trash and debris doesn’t have to be a hassle. Renting a dumpster is the easiest way to handle large cleanup jobs. The most popular and versatile dumpster container size is our 20 yard roll off.

It’s the perfect size to fit on a driveway while still holding lots of trash and debris. When filling a dumpster, it’s important to not only know the volume capacity, but to also understand the weight limit so you can avoid overage fees and delays in pickup.

What is a 20 Yard Dumpster Used For?

A 20 yard dumpster is the optimal roll off container for most mid-size residential and commercial projects. In fact, a 20 yard roll off dumpster is the most common unit size for residential projects. It’s often used for home renovation projects, large cleanouts, landscaping, remodels, and even some new construction.

This dumpster bin can hold bulky debris with enough room to get your project done. It’s the perfect size for remodeling a kitchen, removing flooring and carpet, tearing out cabinets, decluttering a basement, or removing tree limbs and brush. Since it fits on most standard driveways, it’s a convenient way to toss all your trash and debris as you work on your project.

How Much Weight Can a 20 Yard Dumpster Hold?

A 20 yard dumpster holds a volume of 20 cubic yards. While this volume is set, the final weight of the dumpster load depends on the waste material.

The exact weight of a dumpster container is determined at the landfill. Upon arrival, the hauling truck is weighed. The total weight of both the truck and the waste is recorded. When the truck leaves the landfill, it is again weighed. This records the weight of the empty truck. The difference between the two weights is the total weight of the waste load.

An infographic detailing how much weight a 20 yard dumpster can hold

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1. Size

A standard 20 yard dumpster container measures 22 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and 4.5 feet high. There may be some variations of these exact measurements by manufacturer, but the volume stays the same at 20 cubic yards.

This volume is equivalent to about 120 large 33-gallon trash bags or up to 6 pickup truck loads. This is a suitable size for most residential projects and some smaller commercial or construction jobs.

2. Tonnage

The weight limit of a dumpster container is different than the total volume. The weight of a dumpster load is measured in terms of tonnage. A standard 20 yard dumpster typically holds between 2 and 3 tons (4,000 to 6,000 pounds) of debris.

The actual weight of a load depends on the material tossed into it. A load of paper and foam packing material will weigh much less than a load of discarded floor tile, roofing shingles, or drywall.

3. Overweight Challenges

When a dumpster is over the weight limit, our driver is unable to safely transport the load to the landfill. There are federal and local road weight limits that restrict heavy loads from area roads and highways. An overfilled dumpster is also a safety issue before and during transportation.

Our drivers must be able to properly cover and secure the dumpster load before driving off to the landfill. In addition, excess weight can damage the dumpster container or be hazardous if the weight shifts during transport.

Weight of Common Waste Materials

The best way to avoid an overweight load is to be aware of the weight of the discarded material. It’s important to monitor how much weight is actually going into the container. If the material is dense and heavy, the container should not be filled to the top rail of the dumpster container. You may have to leave excess room to stay under the weight limit.

These are the weights of some common heavy waste materials:

Loose cardboard – 50 to 100 pounds per cubic yard

Scrap metal – 225 pounds per cubic yard

Concrete – 860 pounds per cubic yard

Wood – 170 pounds per cubic yard

Loose yard waste – 350 pounds per cubic yard

Carpet padding – 62 pounds per cubic yard

If you have other types of heavy debris not listed here, just give us a call to learn how to stay under the weight limit and avoid overage fees.

Call to Get a Great Price on a 20 Yard Dumpster

When you need a dumpster for a remodel or clean up job, Discount Dumpster is ready with quick delivery of a 20 yard dumpster to your home or job site. This size dumpster is our most versatile container, easy to use and still able to hold big loads.

When you call to rent a dumpster, we’ll discuss the type of waste you’re discarding and the weight limit for our 20 yard dumpster. We have lots of experience in all types of jobs and can give you expert advice so you don’t overload your dumpster. Call us today to get a free quote and to schedule fast delivery of a 20 yard dumpster so you can get started on your project right away.

Call Today for a 20 Yard Dumpster Near You! - (888) 316-7010

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