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How to properly select the roll-off size? - A guide

1. Type and Volume of Waste

Three key questions to ask yourself:​

  1. What am I throwing away? Furniture, branches/leaves, roofing material, general household debris or a bit of everything.​

  2. How Bulky is it? The bulkier the load, the taller the dumpster you may need (20 yd = 4.5 ft, 30 yd = 6 ft, 40 yd = 8 ft height)

  3. How much am I throwing away? Think in terms of pickup trucks: 20 yd = ~7 loads, 30 yd = ~10 loads, 40 yd = ~13 loads.

🔹 General Guidelines:

Project Type
Suggested Dumpster Size
Small home cleanout (garage, attic)
20
Whole-house decluttering: furniture, appliances, household clutter (not heavy debris)
20, 30, 40
Landscaping/yard work
20, 30, 40
Bathroom/kitchen remodel
20
Roofing (shingles)
20
Home light construction/addition debris (wood, drywall, packaging - not concrete, brick, or dirt)
20

2. Weight Limits and Material Type

Different materials weigh differently. Some dumpsters have weight limits.

​

🚫 Heavy Debris:

  • Concrete, bricks, soil, shingles, asphalt — use 20 yard (easier to haul when full)

​

🪵 Light but Bulky Debris:

  • Furniture, drywall, lumber, packaging — consider 30 or 40 yard

3. Space Available

All three sizes are about the same length and width, but height varies:

  • 20 cubic yard: 4 ft high (easiest to load)

  • 30 cubic yard: 6 ft high

  • 40 cubic yard: 8 ft high (hardest to load manually)

​Check:

  1. Will it fit in your driveway or work site?

  2. Is overhead clearance an issue?

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