When you think of dumpsters, you might picture the large bins that you see in back alleys. But these waste containers can be useful for homeowners, business owners, and construction workers too. Consider the following uses for a dumpster rental:

  • Cleaning out old appliances, furniture, or other household items
  • Renovating/remodeling a home or business
  • Disposing of construction materials
  • Decluttering
  • and more!

For all your waste disposal needs, a dumpster rental is a great choice. But to choose the right dumpster size for your project, it’s important to understand more about their measurements, dimensions, and restrictions. Not all items belong in a dumpster, and not all dumpster sizes can fit your debris.

Are you considering a dumpster rental in Denver? We’re here to answer all your questions! We’ve put together this guide to help you learn more about dumpster sizes, prices, and what you can put in a dumpster.

What is a Roll-Off Dumpster?

Before you decide to rent a dumpster, it’s helpful to have a clearer idea of how this service works.

A roll-off dumpster is a large, open-top container. It’s ideal for many projects that range from home remodels to ongoing construction. The swinging door makes it convenient and accessible to load the dumpster.

These containers make it easy to dispose of many forms of waste that come from residential and construction projects.

Roll-off dumpsters are typically dropped off by a roll-off company, which takes the stress and hassle out of waste disposal. You don’t need to be present for the delivery—simply specify where you’d like the dumpster placed and we’ll do the rest.

We include the costs of delivery and pickup in our rental rate, so you won’t need to worry about hidden fees.

Typical Dumpster Sizes and Dimensions

Once you’ve decided that you need dumpster rental services, your next question will be: which container size is right for me? Depending on the debris type that you’re planning to dispose of, you’ll need different dumpster sizes.

Here are a few dumpster sizes that we offer at Affordable Roll-Offs:

  • 15-yard dumpster
  • 30-yard dumpster
  • 40-yard dumpster

What fits in each size of dumpster?

When trying to select the right dumpster rental size, remember that dumpsters are measured in cubic yards. For example, a 40-yard dumpster has the capacity to hold 40 cubic yards of waste. But cubic yards only measure volume, not weight.

You must also consider that there is a weight allowance and limit on dumpster rentals. Some materials are heavier than others—for example, household junk as opposed to food waste. Weight limits are proportionate to the size of the dumpster. If you need to dispose of a particularly heavy debris type, you may need a larger dumpster.

Even though it’s more expensive to rent a larger dumpster, it might be worth going a size up if you’re unsure. The cost of renting two smaller dumpsters is significantly greater than one that fits all of your junk. You may be subject to fees if you overfill the container.

If you’re torn between two options, you can always give us a call and ask any questions that you may have. We’ll help you find the right size for your project!

What to Consider When Choosing a Container Size

It takes a bit of preparation to select a suitable dumpster. You need to think carefully about the size that you require. To make your project run smoothly, you need to rent a dumpster that can hold the debris type you’re disposing of. Ask yourself the following questions when you’re choosing between dumpster sizes:

  • What type of project is the dumpster rental for? Is it small (such as a yard cleanup) or large (like a master bedroom remodel)?
  • What items will be going in the dumpster? The debris type that you’re disposing of will determine what container size you need. Furniture, approved appliances, and construction debris will take up a lot of room, so a larger dumpster may be needed.
  • How much space is available at your home/business for the dumpster? In most cases, it will be challenging to fit a 40-yard dumpster in front of a home. Therefore, a 15-yard or 30-yard dumpster may be a better option.

By asking these questions before making your decision, you can choose a dumpster that perfectly suits your needs.

Average Cost

The cost of your dumpster rental will vary based on the rental period. Here are the rental rates that we offer for our bins:

  • 15-yard dumpster (7-day rental): $355
  • 30-yard dumpster (7-day rental): $435
  • 40-yard dumpster (7-day rental): $495

If you need the dumpster for less time than a week, the price remains the same. However, we can pick up the bin earlier; just be sure to notify us 24-hours ahead of time. For any additional time, we charge $15 per day to rent a dumpster.

Size

The single biggest factor in determining the cost of renting a dumpster rental is its size. It’s tough to estimate the size and weight of any debris type. But if you rent a dumpster that’s too small, you’ll need to pay overage fees; choose one that’s too big, and you’ll be paying for unused space.

To make it easier for you, we’ve broken it down by dumpster sizes:

15-yard dumpster (16 ft L X 8 ft W X 4 ft H)

This container size will hold approximately 6 standard pickup truck loads. Its smaller size will fit easily on most driveways, which makes it a popular choice for residential waste disposal.

A 15-yard dumpster is ideal for garbage like:

  • Small home project waste (like a small bathroom remodel)
  • Seasonal cleanouts
  • Household junk
  • Yard waste
  • 90 32-gallon trash bags

A dumpster that’s 15 cubic yards will fit the average moving box sizes:

  • 380 Small-sized (1.5 cubic feet) intact moving boxes
  • 135 Medium-sized (3.0 cubic feet) intact moving boxes
  • 90 Large-sized (4.5 cubic feet) intact moving boxes

30-yard dumpster (23 ft L X 8 ft W X 6 ft H)

This container can hold approximately 12 standard pickup truck loads. A 30-yard dumpster a bit bigger than the previous size, so it may not fit on your driveway. However, it will be capable of storing larger items.

You can use this dumpster for:

  • Large home projects (like kitchen remodels, large bathroom remodels, or a similar debris type)
  • Moving cleanouts
  • 180 32-gallon trash bags

Dumpsters that are 30 cubic yards will fit:

  • 550 Small-sized (1.5 cubic feet) intact moving boxes
  • 265 Medium-sized (3.0 cubic feet) intact moving boxes
  • 175 Large-sized (4.5 cubic feet) intact moving boxes

40-yard dumpster (23 ft L X 8 ft W X 8 ft H)

Given the number of cubic yards that this dumpster can carry, it’s ideal for larger projects. It can hold approximately 16 standard pick-up truck loads. Sometimes referred to as construction dumpsters, these containers work great for:

  • Work site waste
  • Construction debris or demolition projects
  • 240 32-gallon trash bags

40 cubic yards are comparable to the following moving box sizes:

  • 1050 Small-sized (1.5 cubic feet) intact moving boxes
  • 350 Medium-sized (3.0 cubic feet) intact moving boxes
  • 200 Large-sized (4.5 cubic feet) intact moving boxes

Debris type

We do not allow rock, dirt, brick, sod, or concrete in our dumpsters. To dispose of this debris type, you may need to contact your local municipality. We have included a detailed list of acceptable/unacceptable materials later in this post for your convenience.

Weight of Debris

Dumpster sizes are more than a measure of cubic yards—each one also has a weight limit for any debris type. A $55 overage fee will be charged for every additional ton. Here are the restrictions for all dumpster sizes:

  • A 15-yard dumpster includes up to 3 tons of debris.
  • A 30-yard dumpster includes up to 5 tons of debris.
  • A 40-yard dumpster includes up to 5 tons of debris.

Try to estimate the weight of your debris type before choosing a container size. If you’re looking for construction dumpsters, a bigger container will work best. Demolition materials tend to be heavier than kinds of junk; the largest dumpster sizes can help you avoid overage fees.

What Can’t Go in a Dumpster

Not every debris type can go in a roll-off dumpster. There are some items we simply don’t have the resources to dispose of according to EPA guidelines. The following items are not allowed in our dumpsters:

  • Aerosol cans
  • Asbestos
  • Animals
  • Antifreeze
  • Batteries
  • Barrels
  • Biohazardous materials/medical waste
  • Chemical Products
  • Computers
  • Contaminated oil (mixed with solvents, gasoline, etc.)
  • Equipment containing gas or oil
  • Flammable liquids
  • Fluorescent tubes
  • Gasoline
  • Herbicides & pesticides
  • Industrial waste
  • Liquid paint (although dry paint cans are permissible)
  • Liquids/Solvents/Freon/Chemicals
  • Monitors
  • Microwaves
  • Motor oil
  • Paint
  • Petroleum-contaminated soil and lead paint chips
  • Propane tanks
  • Radioactive materials
  • Railroad ties
  • Refrigerators
  • Solvents
  • Televisions
  • Tires
  • Dirt, brick, sod, or concrete

Incorrectly disposing of hazardous materials may cause damage to the environment. It also puts waste management staff in danger. For these reasons, any debris type that we’ve listed above should be disposed of elsewhere.

What Can Go in a Dumpster

Don’t worry—there are still plenty of items that you can put in a dumpster. Here’s a list of what is accepted in our dumpsters:

  • Furniture
  • Boxes
  • Mattresses
  • Dried paint cans
  • Toys
  • Rags
  • Clothing
  • Tables
  • Documents
  • Fire damaged items
  • Water damaged materials
  • Metal
  • PVC
  • Cabinets
  • Sinks
  • Wood
  • Household junk
  • Trash
  • Furniture
  • Roofing shingles
  • Siding
  • Construction debris & demolition debris (also known as C&D debris)
  • All types of flooring
  • Most non-hazardous waste is permitted in a roll-off dumpster

It can be tough to choose the dumpster that’s the right size for your project. As a dumpster company, we understand that better than anyone! We hope that our guide to dumpster rentals is helpful to you.

If you’re looking for dumpster rentals, contact Affordable Roll-Offs today. We can answer any questions that you may have about dumpster sizes. Our dumpster rental services are highly rated—give us a call today to learn more!