When you’re ready to rent a dumpster for a big home clean-out, renovation, or construction demo project, one of the first decisions you have to make is what size to get. If you’re new to dumpster rentals, this might seem confusing at first. Have no fear—this handy guide makes it easy to understand how a dumpster is measured and which size is best for your job.
When it comes to measuring a dumpster, what matters most is how much it will hold. In other words, its volume is the key measurement. In the waste management industry, cubic yardage is the prime unit of size.
It is a measure of volume equal to a unit of one yard on each side, so 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high. This together equals a volume of one cubic yard.
A yard and a cubic yard are both ways of measuring, but they actually are not the same. You can actually be your own cubic yard calculator, believe it or not!
Think about it this way: a yard measures length and a cubic yard measures volume. You can visualize how much a cubic yard is by imagining a cube that is 3 feet on each side. The volume of the cube is 27 cubic feet. So, one cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet.
What do those numbers mean when you’re trying to figure out what size dumpster you need? The best way to understand the capacity in cubic yards is to compare it to some everyday items. Here are some common objects that are roughly equivalent to a cubic yard of volume:
Rental dumpsters are classified by size, with the total cubic yard capacity readily stated. A 10 yard dumpster holds 10 cubic yards, a 20 yard dumpster holds 20, and so on. Volume measured in cubic yardage is the best way to classify the size of a dumpster rather than weight. The total volume capacity explains the amount of space the dumpster has rather than the weight of the contents, which can vary widely depending on the specific material.
Why does the industry use cubic yards rather than cubic feet to measure a dumpster? It’s mainly because trash takes up lots of space. Since a yard is larger than a foot, it makes sense to use the bigger measurement when you need to calculate volume in a dumpster.
The cubic yard unit of measurement is standard across the waste hauling industry, making it easy for you to compare sizes and rental prices when shopping around for a good deal on a dumpster.
Calculating volume in cubic yards has different approaches depending on dumpster size. You can calculate cubic yards in square feet as well. How many cubic yards a dumpster is depends on its overall design and intention.
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A 10 yard dumpster typically measures 12 feet in length, 6 feet in width, and is 4 feet high. Its 10 cubic yard capacity is the equivalent of about 50 large contractor trash bags or 4 pickup truck loads of trash.
This size dumpster works well for those small home improvement projects that generate more trash than you can put out with your regular trash collection. This includes:
A 15 yard dumpster is 16 feet long and 8 feet wide. These containers typically stand just 4 feet tall. Its 15 cubic yards space is about the capacity of 6 pickup truck loads. This medium-sized dumpster holds a lot of waste while still fitting on a standard residential driveway. Use this size for:
Measuring in at 20 feet long by 8 feet wide and 4 feet tall, the total volume of 20 yard dumpsters is 20 cubic yards. You could pack in about 125 large trash bags full of waste in this big roll off container. Choose this size dumpster when you:
30 yard dumpsters measure in at 22 feet long, 8 feet wide and stand 6 feet tall. You would need 12 pickup trucks to transport the capacity of this dumpster. This size dumpster can handle:
40 yard dumpsters measure in at 24 feet long, 8 feet wide, and is 8 feet tall. This dumpster is made for the construction industry and huge residential projects. A 40 cubic yard dumpster can easily handle heavy demo debris, including:
The total capacity is equivalent to over 250 large bags of trash. When working with concrete, total weight allowance can exceed standard limits. This depends on how much concrete you place in the dumpster
Looking for the right size dumpster to hold all your project waste? Discount Dumpster has just what you need! Our team has years of expertise in all kinds of clean up jobs. When you call, we’ll discuss your job and determine the size that’s right for you at a price you can afford.
Whether you’re cleaning out your garage, remodeling your kitchen, or doing demo at a construction site, we guarantee that you’ll get the right size dumpster for your needs.
So, don’t delay! Call us today to start your free no-obligation quote and get all your dumpster sizing questions answered!
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