How to Estimate Cubic Yards of Debris
Dumpsters are sold in cubic yards: a yard is a 3 × 3 × 3 ft cube, 27 cubic feet. Four published conversions cover most jobs.
| You have | Cubic yards | Source |
|---|---|---|
| One 32-gallon bag | 1/6 | Republic size tables |
| 8-ft pickup bed, level | 2.5 | Stratham NH, Sudbury MA |
| 6-ft pickup bed | 1.5 | Stratham NH |
| One square of architectural shingles | 0.29 | GAF weight ÷ EPA 731 lb/yd³ |
| 100 sq ft of 1/2-inch drywall | 0.34 | National Gypsum ÷ EPA 467 lb/yd³ |
Then check weight: multiply the yards by the material's EPA weight on the debris weights page. Ten yards of household junk at 999 lb is 9,990 lb; ten yards of dirt at 999 lb is 9,990 lb, more than a 10-yard's 3-ton top capacity.
Compare against the dumpster sizes, or let the sizer do both steps.
Sources
- Republic Services size pages.
- Stratham, NH transfer station fees; Sudbury, MA fees.
- EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors.
Questions
How many trash bags are in a cubic yard?
Republic Services' size tables work out to six 32-gallon bags per cubic yard at every size: 60 bags in a 10-yard up to 240 in a 40-yard.
How many cubic yards is a pickup truck load?
Stratham, NH and Sudbury, MA both publish about 2.5 cubic yards for a level 8-ft pickup bed; Stratham gives 1.5 cubic yards for a 6-ft bed.
Size the dumpster for your job. Pick the project, enter its size, and see the container, how full it gets and how close it comes to the weight allowance. Open the sizer.