One of the first questions people ask when renting a dumpster is, “What size do I need?” Typically, they are looking for advice on the volume of the dumpster, meaning how much it can hold. But what may be surprising is that volume is only half the story.
To determine what size dumpster you need for your particular job or project, you not only need to estimate the space your waste will require, but also the weight of the load. You may be able to fit all your debris and trash in the container, but if it is very heavy waste, you’ll quickly go over the weight limit of your roll off dumpster.
Upon entering the site, the truck hauling the dumpster stops on a large scale and is weighed. It then empties the dumpster load into the landfill.
It is weighed again when it exits the landfill. The difference between the first weight and the exit weight is the total weight of the trash load.
The bigger the dumpster, the more weight it can handle, but there are limits for each size dumpster. A dumpster itself is made of heavy materials with its own set weight.
The weight of the load is what is important to measure correctly. Maximum weight allowances depend on the policies at the landfill and are limited by governmental regulations that restrict excessively heavy loads on roadways and highways.
Recent increases in interest rates and inflation have slowed down the construction market. However, over the past five years, the dumpster industry has seen demand for rental dumpsters grow, which means more big loads heading to landfills.
Transporting all those dumpsters takes a toll on our roadways. Average truck traffic is increasing each year, especially among those that transport heavy loads.
When these trucks are overloaded, the damage to roadways is even worse. Many states have passed laws that add new per-mile fees on heavy trucks to help pay for repairs and to discourage trucking and hauling companies from accepting overweight loads.
Landfills are also cautious of accepting loads from overweight dumpsters. Heavy materials can damage or wear down landfill equipment. Some landfill operators partition part of the landfill area for what is called construction and demolition (C&D) debris.
Weight limits are carefully monitored in these areas. There could be an extra charge for this type of waste if it exceeds the weight allowance of a dumpster container.
Finally, overweight loads can damage dumpster hauling trucks and cause excess wear and tear. They can also be unsafe for operators if they cause malfunction of the truck or an accident. Staying within the weight limit of the dumpster container prevents tipping and spills and is better for your community’s roadways.
The best way to ensure you’re in compliance with these regulations and restrictions is to discuss the type of waste you have with us when you call to order your dumpster. Review these weight limits as you plan for your next dumpster rental.
A 10 yard dumpster containers can hold up to 2 tons (4,000 pounds) of trash. The lower weight limit for this dumpster is due to its compact size and the use of a smaller hauling truck. This size dumpster works well for small projects like:
A 15-yard dumpster holds 15 cubic yards of waste, about 6 pickup loads of waste. It can handle a full 4,000 pounds of trash and is best for bulky waste.
This dumpster works well for mid-sized projects like:
20 yard dumpsters are a popular size and can easily handle 2 to 3 tons (4,000 to 6,000 pounds) of waste. Its 20 cubic yards of space can hold the equivalent of 120 33-gallon trash bags.
This size dumpster is best for larger projects like:
When you need to discard lots of waste, a 30 yard dumpster will get the job done. You can toss up to 3 tons (6,000 pounds) into this dumpster roll off. It holds the equivalent of 12 pickup trucks loads of trash.
This size works great for construction sites, home flipping projects, or retail renovations. While it is a larger dumpster, it is important not to overload the container with excessively heavy materials such as:
This is the big one for your biggest loads. Its volume is about the same as 16 pickup loads of trash. The weight limit of a 40 yard dumpster is 4 tons, a whopping 8,000 pounds.
This dumpster roll off is ideal for:
Heavy waste can quickly send you over the weight limit for your dumpster, even if it all fits in the container.
Be sure not to overfill your dumpster. If you have waste such as concrete, floor tile, drywall, dense material, or roofing shingles, contact us to discuss how this will affect the total weight in the dumpster.
Going over the weight limit adds an additional charge to the load. Typically, the overweight charge runs $50 to $100 per ton or more, depending on the landfill’s fee schedule.
When you need an affordable dumpster, give us a call at Discount Dumpster. We carry a large inventory of dumpsters in all sizes, able to handle loads from big to small. Our team has the know-how to get you the best size for your job without paying for what you don’t need.
When you call, we’ll discuss the type of debris you’re throwing out and give you expert advice to stay under the weight limit of your dumpster. Answers to your questions are just a phone call away!
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