Dumpster Rental Sizes

How to Select the Right Size Dumpster

Do you need a dumpster for your business, your construction site, a renovation, roof or window replacement? When carrying out some projects, you’ll need the right-sized dumpster to facilitate the project and ensure it’s successful. Also, you’ll need a dumpster to make your environment cleaner. 

However, what do you know about renting the right dumpster? When you know the different dumpster options and you know the right size of dumpster for your needs, it’ll make the rental process faster and will save you some money too. Here are a few tips to help you select the right size dumpster:

Five Tips on How to Pick the Right Dumpster:

  1. Size Matters

The first thing that matters when renting a dumpster is to be sure what size you’ll need. People make the mistake of ordering the wrong size. Most dumpster rental companies have different dumpster size options.

*10-yard dumpsters are most suitable for remodeling projects or small-sized cleanouts such as roof removal of 1,500 square feet. They can contain ten cubic yards of material, equivalent to three pickup trucks full of trash.

*20-yard dumpsters are lost and suitable for medium-sized remodeling projects or major renovations in a large home. They can hold about 20 cubic yards of material, equivalent to about six pickup trucks full of trash.

*30 yards dumpsters are mainly used for commercial or new home construction purposes. They can hold about 300 cubic meters of yard material, equivalent to about nine pickup trucks full of trash.

*40-yard dumpsters are mostly recommended for commercial and industrial use; however, this size may be appropriate if you’re doing a complete window replacement. They can hold about 40 cubic yards of materials, equivalent to about 12 pickup trucks full of trash.

  1. What Are You Tossing Out?

You should also consider the kind of waste you want to dispose of. Most dumpster companies don’t endorse dumping different material mixtures in their dumpster. For example, you cannot dump gravel and fill it into the dumpster and other materials. Also, it would help to consider the weight of the material you’ll be dumping. Heavier waste materials cost more to dump. You can consult the dumpster company directly to know the exact cost of the materials you’ll dispose of.

  1. Know the Law

Disposing of hazardous waste materials into the dumpster is considered wrong. Hazardous materials like:

  • Chemical products
  • Oil filters
  • Herbicides & pesticides
  • Radioactive materials
  • Solvents
  • Paints(except dried latex paint cans, no liquids)
  • Flammable liquids
  • Partially filled aerosol cans
  • Propane tanks,
  • Motor oil
  • Transmission oil/lubricating/hydraulic oil/contaminated oils (mixed with solvents, gasoline, etc.)
  • Paint chips
  • Tires
  • Batteries
  • Fluorescent tubes
  • Railroad ties
  • Medical waste
  • Asbestos
  • Dead animals
  • Sealed barrels or cylinders and all liquids.
  1. Comparison Shop

Renting a dumpster may require spending some money, but prices may differ from one supplier to the next, so you need to research and get at least two quotes from different dumpster rental companies. It would help if you made your inquiries about added fees and expenses like overage charges, tipping fees, late fees, and fuel surcharges so that you can be able to compare prices.

  1. Negotiate

It’s essential to negotiate the price before you rent any dumpster. Also, feel free to ask for special discount pricing. Some dumpster rental companies give special 10% discounts to military personnel, senior citizens, and veterans of specific organizations. You won’t be told about these things except if you ask them.

How Much Does a 12-Yard Dumpster Rental Cost?

The price of a 12-yard dumpster differs according to the rental company, the type of waste you’re tossing, and your location. The standard price for renting a dumpster is $373.12; however, depending on your location from the rental company, you may have to pay between $259 to $492. 

When you contact a dumpster rental company, you can dialogue and get discounts off the main price. You can agree on a price that covers the pickup, taxes, delivery, and disposal.

12-Yard Dumpster  Capacity and Dimensions

12-yard dumpsters are usually 14 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and 4 feet high. They can contain about 12 cubic yards of debris in volume, equivalent to 12 average-sized ovens or 65-85 33-gallon contractor-size trash bags. 

A 12-yard dumpster can contain approximately 2-3 tons of trash. That’s the same as 4,000-6,000 pounds of household trash or about 20 couches with an average weight of 300 pounds each. 

What type of material can I put into the dumpster?

  1. Alkaline Batteries

Regular batteries can go in the dumpster, but you have the choice of recycling them by taking them to your municipality recycling center. Alkaline batteries are no longer made with toxic chemicals; the federal and state standards now approve them for household waste, and tossing them in the dumpster is okay.

  1. Construction & Home Improvement Debris

You can throw any construction waste into the dumpster, including:

  • Asphalt
  • Bathroom fixtures
  • Brick
  • Cabinetry
  • Concrete
  • Countertops
  • Drywall
  • Flooring
  • Lumber and wooden materials
  • Siding
  • Stone
  • Subfloor materials
  • Tiles
  • However, if your materials are weighty, you may need to rent a specially reinforced dumpster.
  1. Drained Appliances

You can put appliances like washers, dryers, and AC units in the dumpster; however, you must first drain out all the harmful fluids and components. You should hire a professional if you can’t handle the draining process. It would help if you drained them completely, so it’s easier to haul them away.

  1. Electronics

In most areas, you can throw your household electronics in the dumpster. However, if you’re cleaning out a big office space or have many electronics to dispose of, you’ll need to give them out for recycling as e-waste.

  1. Empty Aerosol Cans

Aerosol cans may include hairspray or non-stick cooking spray. You can throw them in the dumpster only when they’re empty. It can explode if it has any liquid in it.

  1. Household Junk

You toss any non-hazardous junk in your home into the dumpster. Hazardous wastes are products or materials that are flammable or risk the chances of an explosion. Non-hazardous materials may include furniture, regular trash, yard materials, construction debris, and other appliances.

  1. Wooden Furniture

Wooden furniture can be thrown into the dumpster, including wooden chairs, tables, cabinets, shelves, and other items, so long as they’re made of wood and can be disposed of in the landfill.

  1. Yard Waste

Things like sticks, leaves, brushes, storms, debris, and other environmental debris are yard waste. This waste can be thrown into the dumpster.

What is the Average Rental Period for a 12-Yard Dumpster?

You can rent a 12-yard dumpster for 7-20 days. However, this is subject to certain factors like location and environment. If renting a 12-yard dumpster for a construction project, you may need it for more than 20 days. You can make an extension for the dumpster rental, but the extension will attract extra charges. You can deal with your dumpster rental company or ask for discounts to reduce costs.

What Else Should I Know About 12-Yard Dumpster Rentals?

Each dumpster can contain a maximum capacity of 10 tons. The standard rental agreement and price quotes include a standard weight limit of 5 tons. You can consider other rental options if your estimate is higher than 10 tons of weight. 

Contact their customer service representative through emails or phone to get more information about a 12-yard dumpster rental company.

You also need to make clear your purpose for renting a 12-yard dumpster and the period you want to rent it. The price of a 12-yard dumpster depends on the length of time you want to rent it, your location, and the weight of the waste you’re disposing of. Also note that by law, you’re not allowed to dispose of harmful, toxic, and hazardous waste into the dumpster. Waste materials like paint, herbicides, pesticides, asbestos, chemicals, oil, tires, fuels, electronics, etc., are not allowed in a 12-yard dumpster or any dumpster.

How Should I Prepare for Delivery?

Before you receive your order for a 12-yard dumpster, below is what you should do in preparation:

  1. Make room

You must make room for the dumpster; that means you must have a driveway at least 60 feet long to accommodate the dumpster. Ensure that you clear off the drop-off area and that no cars are parked there.

  1. Lookup

Before the dumpster can be placed correctly, there has to be 23 feet of vertical clearance. You must choose a drop-off location with no overhead wires and branches.

  1. Plan ahead

You don’t have to be around on the day of the delivery but ensure that you’ve given your rental company the correct location details. However, you can prepare for the dumpster’s arrival by clearing your driveway and removing any other obstacles.

  1. Take note.

Take note of the weight your 12-yard dumpster can carry, and don’t plan to dispose of any weight heavier than the weight limit.