Dumpster Sizer

Volume and weight, from published specs

What size dumpster do I need?

Choose the job and its size. The sizer weighs the debris and picks the smallest roll-off that holds it inside the hauler's weight allowance.

Dumpster sizer

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  1. 1Sizes 10 · 15 · 20 · 30 · 40 yd
  2. 220-yard height 4'4" H
  3. 325-square roof 7.2 yd · 2.6 t
  4. 4Allowance 4–5 tons

How the sizer decides

Weight. Roof shingles use the manufacturer's bundle weight (GAF Timberline HDZ 70 lb, GAF Royal Sovereign 62 lb, three bundles a square). Concrete uses 140–150 lb per cubic foot from Iowa DOT's materials manual, sized on the higher figure. Drywall uses National Gypsum's 1.6 lb per square foot for 1/2-inch regular board. Anything measured by volume uses EPA's pounds per loose cubic yard.

Volume. Loose debris takes more room than the material did in place. The sizer turns weight into loose cubic yards with EPA's factors: 731 lb a yard for shingles, 467 for drywall, 860 for broken concrete.

Size. It then picks the smallest of the five sizes whose rated volume holds the debris and whose weight stays at or under the low end of Republic Services' published capacity (10 yd 2–3 t, 15 yd 2–3 t, 20 yd 4–5 t, 30 yd 6–7 t, 40 yd 8–9 t). Concrete, dirt, rock and asphalt are kept to the 10 and 15-yard boxes that Republic lists for heavy materials. If nothing fits in one box, it gives the number of hauls.

The allowance on your own rental agreement is the one that applies, and some haulers include less: the published New Hampshire list includes 2 tons with a 20-yard. Every source is on the methodology page.

Browse by size, debris or job

Dumpster sizesDimensions and weight capacity of the 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 yard boxes. Debris weight per yard25 materials from EPA, and which sizes each one fills. Roof tear-offDumpster size for 10 to 50 squares, one or two layers. Concrete removalSlab weight and hauls from 100 to 1,000 sq ft. Town dump feesConstruction-debris fees at 18 NH and MA transfer stations. Rental pricesPublished NH and MA price lists with included tons.

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