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Selecting the Right Size Dumpster

If you are getting ready to tackle an extensive remodeling or cleaning project that requires renting a dumpster, you might have questions. One of them will certainly include choosing the right size for your task. It can make a world of difference in terms of how successful this type of removal turns out for you, but obviously, that leaves further questions about the cost associated with securing a dumpster.

For this blog, we’ll guide you through a general variety of selected options when it comes to choosing a dumpster size for your project’s needs.

Whether you're dealing with a 10-yard, 15-yard, or 20-yard rental, there are important factors to consider. These include how to determine the amount of junk being removed, and the accessibility where a container will be placed. But really, it’s all these elements that are combined that provide insight into which dumpster is best.

About Dumpsters

When it comes time to look at efficient and reliable ways to handle significant cleanup projects for discarding large amounts of trash, then the choice is clearly a dumpster rental. Not only are these containers the perfect answer for small or large amounts, but these items can also be tossed all at once. But that leaves only one viable question since there are typically three sizes to choose from.

These dumpster sizes will commonly include a 10-yard, 15-yard, and 20-yard sized dumpster selection, however, there are several variants when it comes to dumpster sizes and shapes. Now, it's worth mentioning, if you're looking for a smaller dumpster bin than 10 yards you may need to go to Waste Management's website to see if they have 3-yard dumpsters available in your area. Most dumpster rental companies will not carry dumpsters smaller than 10-yards. However, renting a dumpster from Waste Management is fairly expensive unless you're renting larger dumpsters like their 40-yard dumpster.   Each size dumpster is more or less designed for a specific amount of debris that can go inside. So this is something you’ll need to keep in mind so depending on how much material and debris is being dumped into them.

One option might be better than another if this includes removing junk from an office remodel to a home cleanout. This is why renting the right size dumpster can make the process much simpler and safer depending on what kind of cleanup or clear-out these projects tend to be.

Reserve a Dumpster from AZ Junk Removal in Phoenix.

Exploring the Different Sizes of Dumpsters 

As far as looking for the ideal-sized dumpster rental that will help with your cleanup or renovation project, look no further than using the golden rule of three. Think of these containers essentially as small, medium, and large dumpster-size selections - it's that simple. If you have a small project and some general cleanup, a 10-yard dumpster does the job nicely. That’s roughly a pile of debris no bigger than a compact car…

But when it's more of a major undertaking such as a home renovation or construction, then the 15 or 20-yard dumpster may be better suited for your needs. This will range from a pile of stuff that equals a family car up to an SUV-sized pile of junk. So whatever level project you're working on, estimating the amount of debris or junk helps you determine what size container will best fit your needs.

For everything from basic cleanouts to large-scale projects, you’ll find there is a dumpster size available that allows you to tackle it effectively and get the job done with fewer worries involved.

Determining the Right Size for Your Needs 

comparing dumpster sizes image

We've mentioned that it's easier to estimate the amount you want to dispose of when it's compared to piles of stuff that relate to an object (like a car). But sometimes it's not so easy to visualize this going into a dumpster container.

So- when it comes to smaller clean-ups that relate to spring cleaning, home renovations, or yard debris disposal, a 10-yard dumpster should provide sufficient space. Then again, a 15-yard dumpster would be better suited for medium-scale home remodeling, large landscaping projects, or commercial cleanup initiatives. Yet the biggest jobs can utilize a 20-yard dumpster offering plenty of capacity when taking on extensive renovations or major industrial tasks.

No matter the size of your project or needs, we have the perfect size dumpster rental just waiting to get the job done. But to get an exact idea of what fits inside each container, just read a little more about each size.

The 10-Yard Dumpster – An Overview 

10-Yard Dumpster by AZjunk removals

Commonly, a 10-yard dumpster will be the perfect size for a do-it-yourselfer looking to take on smaller projects. This smaller size also makes it ideal for light construction projects like patio renovations and driveway installations. It also features dimensions that allow 12 ft (L) x 8 ft (W) x 3-ft (H) which allows you to fit a 10-yard dumpster anywhere on your property including tighter spaces like a backyard or the side of your house.

This type of container is light enough to be dropped off nearly anywhere without a hassle, but spacious enough to take care of smaller debris cleanups. All in all, if you’re doing any type of home improvement task or just need to clear out your garage or basement, this size dumpster could be the ideal solution for you.

Typical projects ideal for a 10 Yard dumpster rental

  • Light construction projects including patio renovations or driveway installations
  • Do-it-yourself projects such as spring cleaning and yard debris disposal
  • De-cluttering basements, garages, and other small storage spaces
  • Small home renovation tasks such as closet organization or replacing tile floors
  • Removing large items or appliances from a property before moving day
  • Discarding old furniture and appliances during a remodel or renovation
  • Moving out of an apartment where access is limited for smaller-sized dumpsters

The 15-Yard Dumpster – An Overview 

15-Yard Dumpster by AZjunk removals

Another choice is the 15-yard dumpster, which is an ideal choice for those needing a larger capacity than an average 10-yard container. It can hold up to six truckloads of waste, making it great for home renovations, medium-sized spring clean-outs, and other business projects that generate or have collected larger amounts of trash. This size will also work well for event-related cleanups since they are more spacious than a standard 10-yard container.

The advantage is that it won’t take up too much space in a driveway or outside your storefront. With a 15-yard rental dumpster, you’ll have more room to throw away bulkier items including furniture and large appliances. The dimensions average 16 ft (L) x 7.5 ft (W) x 4.5 ft (T) which accommodates all sorts of junk-related items that may be harder to put into a 10-yard container.

You’ll still be able to fully utilize its capacity for home renovation projects where rubble and debris are heavier than normal. Regardless of what your needs happen to be, renting a 15-yard dumpster is definitely worth the extra space for stashing unwanted items.

Typical projects ideal for a 15 Yard dumpster rental

  • Medium-size spring cleanout projects
  • Business projects that generate considerable amounts of trash and debris
  • Event-related cleanups including storage cleanouts and property trash outs
  • Throwing away bulkier items including furniture and large appliances

The 20-Yard Dumpster – An Overview

20-Yard Dumpster by AZjunk removals

For the maximum value, a 20-yard dumpster is a great option for heftier projects and extreme cleanups. It might involve gutting an entire basement, landscaping an acre of property, replacing a roof, or anything in between. With its larger capacity for maximum volume, you’ll get through your project faster and avoid multiple trips to the dump, or in this case, you won't need to worry about renting a second dumpster because you opted to go with a dumpster that was too small.

Selecting a 20-yard dumpster from the get-go adds up with cost savings since you don’t need to rent additional dumpsters. So whenever there’s a job that needs that requires adequate room to pile junk and debris quickly and conveniently, a 20-yard dumpster can handle the load.

GOT DEBRIS?: We'll Haul Them For You

These containers include enough room to allow 22 ft (L) x 8 ft (W) x 4.5 ft (T) of space inside for more convenience in hauling away a wide array of dumping tasks.

Typical projects ideal for a 20 Yard dumpster rental

  • Gutting out an entire basement full of junk
  • Landscaping large properties and gardening cleanups
  • Replacing a roof or removing old tile floors
  • Larger-scale demolition jobs such as demolishing and removing small buildings and structures
  • Commercial cleanouts and junk removal projects
  • Construction site cleanups and debris hauling
  • Event cleanup tasks for small festivals and parties that have a lot of waste
  • Home renovation or remodeling projects where considerable amounts of debris need to be removed
  • Yard debris disposal including tree trimmings, landscaping work, and garden maintenance
  • Moving-out or trash-out projects from evictions or abandoned properties

In the end, it’s always very important to choose the right dumpster size according to the scale of a project and follow best practice loading tips. With this scale in mind, you can also figure that a 10-yard dumpster can handle up to 5-6 pick-up truckloads worth of material. It’s great for these kinds of smaller projects due to its compact size and weight capacity. When you have something slightly bigger, a 15-yard dumpster is a better deal for mid-sized home improvement projects or larger cleanouts.

This further gives you at least 7-8 pick-up truck load capacities for this container size. Yet the best value for tons of waste will be the 20-yard dumpster that can handle up to 10-12 pickup truck loads of materials. This is no doubt the best choice for major construction jobs or landscaping tasks. But whichever size you finally decide upon, just make sure to do the research beforehand in estimating the amount of waste you want to be hauled away.

This way, you get the right size dumpster you need from the start, and avoid any unnecessary costs or inconvenience!

We've Got Dumpsters...

At AZ Junk Removal & Dumpster Rental we have you covered with the perfect sized dumpster for your cleanup project; from 10-yard dumpsters, ideal for any residential driveway, to 20 yarders for larger commercial cleanups. Reserve a dumpster drop-off today!

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Additional Information Regarding Dumpster Sizes

Information Regarding Dumpster Sizes

Do I need a permit for my dumpster rental?

Generally, you don't need a dumpster if it's on your property or in your driveway. If there's no room, and it has to stay at the curb, you will need a permit. These can be arranged by the local city hall and have a time limit that is given. The cost of this permit depends on each city hall but may also hold the rental company responsible. This isn't 100% of the time, so you'll need to check on these rules before you actually rent a dumpster. The cost can also vary between 30-50 dollars or more per week. Just to be safe, always mark one extra day if you think you might keep the dumpster for longer. This way you're covered by the permit and won't get a ticket.

Weight rated dumpsters

The key issue to a dumpster is the weight limit. If you have brick and cement blocks that are going in, this is considered heavy weight material. Even if the amount isn't filling all the way to the top, the weight limit can't go over. Once a dumpster is rated for the weight limit, you have to estimate your throw away items. Gauge the weight of each item and keep a tab. Keep this in mind if you're breaking down brick walls or opening up a new living room area. This is why roofing shingles can add-up quickly in weight when they're all in the dumpster. We'll explain to you how our weight limits work and what you are obligated to pay if the limit is over.

What if you misjudge the amount that goes in?

So things cannot be estimated unless you have very lightweight stuff. Anything that includes construction materials, brick, wood, dirt, and cinder blocks can add up fast. If you go over, it's not the end of the day. We'll simply charge extra for the excess weight. As a rule of thumb, with anything heavy (no matter the size of the dumpster), you should only fill it halfway. This way, the heavy material matches the container size for limit weight. For more information on how weight and dumpster size limits as it relates to cost, click here.

How long is your construction project?

Home renovations and long-term constructions are cheaper when you do it yourself. If you decide that you need a dumpster for longer, you'll want a commercial rental. These dumpsters are better for being lockable and secure. This way you don't have neighbors pitching-in stuff you don't know about. A standard 2-3 day rental is pretty common, but you might need a dumpster for 2-3 months. We can help you out.

Will larger dumpsters damage my pavement?

Roll-off dumpsters can crack and scratch your driveway if the pavement is not built for heavy items. The best way to protect these surfaces is by distributing the weight with thick wood planks. These planks can be placed under the loading wheel as it rolls off. As wood is great for absorbing and spreading out the weight, the wheel isn't placing pressure directly on one spot as it's spread out over several feet. If you're unsure of how your driveway is going to react ask us if we provide wood planks to be added. You can also provide your own planks if you're doing a construction-related job.

What's the best way to load waste in the dumpster?

The total size dumpster you rent is a bit like a closet. If you stack items inside very tightly and keep the space uniform, lots more will fit in. This isn't so easy with certain items but the concept is essential for odd-shaped items like cinder blocks or old toilets. Wood should be laid down as neatly as possible and sheetrock needs to be stacked to maximize the space. One of the better methods, if you have a short job that needs to be done quickly, is designating a loader. This person will be responsible for arranging items in the dumpster so it can fit everything. This way, you can load stuff in a continual chain gang solution.

How to avoid penalties

The first thing we discuss with you is what goes into the dumpster and what doesn't. But rules are rules and if there is anything that shouldn't be in there, you need to dispose of it properly. Explain this to everyone who is going to be throwing stuff into the dumpster and give them a list. Landfills are very picky about items that can be thrown away. So, for this reason, you'll want to stick to these rules. If you do throw out something that doesn't belong, you will be charged penalties. Not only that, these items will be returned to you.

How to avoid excess weight from very rainy weather?

As you know, Phoenix, Arizona is predictable with August being the rainiest month due to our monsoons. If you picked a bad time to stash trash in a dumpster before a big rainstorm, you might have excess weight. If you don't see the water it might be under all the junk, but this water will affect your weight limit. The best thing you can do is to cover your dumpster with a large tarp before it rains. As it goes, you should cover the container at night to keep others from putting stuff inside. There should be at least one high point inside the dumpster so water slides off the pitch. If your dumpster does fill with water you might consider opening the front loading door. This is very risky since the weight of the water can push the door open quickly. If you've loaded soil into the dumpster already, and it gets rained on, it's not easy to get out. The only alternative is to remove excess soil to reduce the weight or let us know what has happened. Depending on the situation, we can offer a solution that might help you out.

What factors determine the size of dumpster I need for a cleanup?

The biggest factor would definitely be the type of debris you need removed and how large a pile it is. For most smaller cleanups a twenty to thirty yard dumpster is enough. But you can order something as large as one hundred yards if it’s necessary.

Can I rent a dumpster for a day or just a few hours?

Sure, you can always rent a dumpster long or short term. This can even be as short as a few hours. In fact, renting super short term like this helps save a few bucks as far as daily rental fees.

What size dumpster is best for a small cleanup project, such as cleaning out a garage or basement?

Or really small cleanup projects like cleaning out a garage or basement, you shouldn’t need anything larger than a 10 to 20 yard dumpster unless you have a really large basement.

What size dumpster is best for a larger cleanup project, such as a home renovation or demolition?

For larger cleanup projects, such as a home renovation or demolition, a 20-30 yard dumpster is typically needed and you can even go larger like a 50 yard one if there is a huge amount of debris.

Can I put hazardous waste in a dumpster?

No, you should never place any hazardous materials in a dumpster. If you get caught doing so, you will not only need to pay the dumpster company for the cleanup which can get really expensive, but you can even be fined by the city or municipality you live in.

Are there weight limits for the contents of a dumpster?

Yes, there are weight limits for the contents of a dumpster, trucks can only transport so much weight. Besides that, exceeding the weight limit can result in additional charges. Contact your dumpster rental company for information on their weight limits.


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Where Does Trash Go?

Where Does Trash Go?

Brad Thomason

About the author

Brad Thomason is the owner of AZ Junk Removal, a seasoned professional with decades of experience in the moving and junk removal industry. With an acute understanding of how people acquire and dispose of items, he established his company in 2001, serving the Phoenix, Arizona area with exceptional junk removal services. Throughout his career, Brad has witnessed the exponential growth of the city as new communities, businesses, and retail centers continue to develop.

Committed to offering a more personalized approach, Brad operates the company as an owner-operator, actively involved in daily operations. When you choose AZ Junk Removal to eliminate clutter, you can expect to work directly with Brad, one of his close family members, or friends. This level of customer service sets them apart from other franchised hauling companies in the Valley.

With his wealth of knowledge and commitment to providing top-notch service, going with Brad Thomason is the clear choice for all of your junk removal needs in Phoenix, Arizona.

--LIFE'S BETTER WITHOUT JUNK--

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