Dumpster Rental: Comparing the Costs
If you’re looking for a dumpster rental service for residential, construction or business, you’re probably on a tight budget. Did you know that you can save on average anywhere between 30-40% of dumpster rental prices whilst also helping your community to have a clean, healthy, and more sustainable environment?
DumpsterCo is committed to helping you get the safest and cheapest dumpster rentals, so that you can feel at ease with your waste management decisions.
We provide you with the information, services and tools you need to manage your trash in a way that minimizes the economic and environmental costs to you and the community you reside in. Unfortunately, not enough people actually understand the damaging consequences irresponsible waste treatment has on their health and quality of life, until it’s too late.
We would like to change that. When you rent a dumpster and haul away your trash, we want you to have peace of mind knowing that you took all the necessary steps to reduce the chances of you, your family, business and community paying a price neither party bargained for.
How do we do this?
Our primary goal is to help you manage your trash in the most cost-effective way for the benefit of your pocket and the environment.
You’d be surprised at how much of the waste materials you are about to throw away could still in fact be a useful resource that when reused or recycled would enable your home, business and community to grow and thrive, as opposed to wither and deteriorate.
The last thing any neighborhood wants is another landfill developed nearby to account for the increasing amount of excess trash being thrown away in their municipality.
Reliable Dumpster Service
If you have too much trash to recycle or reuse yourself, you can browse through our list of environmentally-responsible dumpster rental companies that can service your waste needs. Some of these companies haul, collect and process recyclable debris from construction projects where a roll off dumpster is most commonly used.
Others provide front-load, rear-load, and roll-away garbage and recycle dumpsters for rent that are useful for major home cleanouts as well as the regular waste management needs of businesses and institutions.
For example, retailers, restaurants, schools, and apartment buildings use garbage and recycle dumpster services to properly process the waste generated on their premises.
Before you throw away your trash, we would also like to equip you with actionable insights about the waste management process which are often overlooked or not well known.
For example, did you know that North America alone generates 50% of the world’s garbage and that only 30% of this trash is recycled? This is a significant fact considering that a large portion of the garbage transported to be buried in landfills could actually be reduced, reused, or recycled for the benefit of our communities and environment.
When is renting a dumpster something to consider?
The ideal scenario is one of zero waste where trash can continually be reused and recycled without ever ending up in a landfill or being burnt up in an incinerator.
Although the modern process of incineration (the burning of waste to produce electricity) is now considered to be so clean that it releases significantly less pollutants into the atmosphere than home fireplaces and backyard barbecues, it still poses the risk of contaminating the very systems we rely on to survive.
In such a world, trash would no longer be viewed as trash, but instead a resource that can always be put to good use.
There are many materials that provide some hope for such a future today. For example, asphalt roofing shingles are being recycled into a different form of asphalt so that our roads and pavements can be developed, re-built and maintained.
Dumpsters for Residential and Construction
If you’re remodeling a large segment of your home or doing some type of significant construction or demolition project then you’ll more than likely have more bits of materials left over than you can transform for reuse or recycling yourself.
If this is the situation you find yourself in or anticipate after doing all you possibly can to recover all the valuable materials from the debris for reuse or recycling, then hiring the expertise of a responsible waste disposal company is a reasonable option.
Dumpster rentals from these services will ensure that the remainder of the debris is properly treated and processed in a way that has minimal negative and maximum positive impact on the environment.
Demonstration projects have shown that diverting waste from landfill can reduce waste disposal costs by up to 30% through reduced tipping and haulage fees and the sale of materials that can be reused and recycled.
So it is well within your interest to reclaim as much materials as you can from your debris before putting anything into the dumpster.
Dumpsters for Business and Institutions
Businesses and institutions looking to make use of dumpsters on their premises for general purposes are advised to do so as a method of discouraging littering and managing large volumes of solid waste to maintain a clean and healthy environment.
Depending on your type of business, you may have a dumpster allocated for a particular type of waste. For example, some restaurants and grocery stores use dumpsters specifically for containing food waste, which when collected can be composted or disposed of at pig farms.
Specific dumpsters can also be rented for green waste such as yard trimmings, or designated for the recycling of glass, plastic and metal. The use of dumpsters for recycled material is a trend that continues to grow thanks to the increasing ubiquity of recycling.
The ideal approach for any organization is to foster a culture among its constituents that promotes the minimization of waste by supporting initiatives that together: reduce the amount of waste collective constituents produce; maximize the reuse of materials internally; and enable the recycling of appropriate materials for reuse externally.
How much does it cost to rent a dumpster?
Roll-off dumpster prices
The costs of renting a roll-off dumpster will vary depending on several factors, such as the city or state you’re in, the size of the dumpster you choose, the type of debris to be put in the dumpster, and the duration of the rental.
We recommend you contact an environmentally-responsible local haulage service directly, some of which can be found in our directory. Be wary of online dumpster brokerage services that, although are middlemen, often pose as the local haulage company that will actually be carrying out the job.
You can expect to save 10% or more on dumpster rates simply by booking directly with a local dumpster company than through third party brokers who often add a premium to the base rate for their services.
To give you an idea of cost, we have listed below some dumpster rental prices from dumpster services in various locations for a 10-Yard roll-off dumpster containing household debris.
If you are unsure about what any of the terms in the table mean, you can consult our glossary of waste disposal terms within the “Dumpsters” menu at the top of the page.
| Location | Service A | Service B |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | $275 Weight limit: 6,000 lbs Additional tonnage: $50 Rental period: 30 days |
$279 Weight limit: 2,000 lbs Additional tonnage: $50 Rental period: 14 days |
| Boston, MA | $325 Weight limit: 2,000 lbs Additional tonnage: $95 Rental period: 10 days |
$339 Weight limit: 2,000 lbs Additional tonnage: $100 Rental period: 14 days |
| Brooklyn, NY | $470 Weight limit: 3,000 lbs Additional tonnage: $88 Rental period: 10 days |
$479 Weight limit: 2,000 lbs Additional tonnage: $100 Rental period: 14 days |
| Chicago, IL | $265 Weight limit: 2,000 lbs Additional tonnage: $44 Rental period: 5 days |
$279 Weight limit: 3,000 lbs Additional tonnage: $60 Rental period: 14 days |
| Columbus, OH | $255 Weight limit: 2,000 lbs Additional tonnage: $50 Rental period: 5 days |
$279 Weight limit: 3,000 lbs Additional tonnage: $50 Rental period: 14 days |
| Dallas, TX | $250 Weight limit: 10,000 lbs Additional tonnage: $31 Rental period: 14 days |
$239 Weight limit: 3,000 lbs Additional tonnage: $50 Rental period: 14 days |
| Gibson, GA | $275 Weight limit: 6,000 lbs Additional tonnage: $32 Rental period: 30 days |
$269 Weight limit: 2,000 lbs Additional tonnage: $50 Rental period: 14 days |
| Jersey City, NJ | $395 Weight limit: 3,000 lbs Additional tonnage: $90 Rental period: 10 days |
$399 Weight limit: 2,000 lbs Additional tonnage: $125 Rental period: 14 days |
| St. Paul, MN | $265 Weight limit: 2,000 lbs Additional tonnage: $50 Rental period: 7 days |
$339 Weight limit: 2,000 lbs Additional tonnage: $75 Rental period: 14 days |
| San Diego, CA | $495 Weight limit: 12,000 lbs Additional tonnage: $60 Rental period: 10 days |
$349 Weight limit: 2,000 lbs Additional tonnage: $65 Rental period: 14 days |
The reason we encourage anyone renting a roll-off dumpster to reclaim, reuse and divert as much of their waste materials as possible away from entering a dumpster is because it can provide significant savings to rental costs while also protecting the environment.
As the prices in the table above show, you will be charged by the amount of waste in weight you put into the dumpster.
This is because trash haulers are charged by the ton to dump debris in landfills. These landfill fees vary greatly depending on the city or state the landfill site is located.
The easiest way to see how dumping fees differ between locations is to compare the extra cost per additional ton of weight, known as “additional tonnage” (check out our glossary for more waste collection terms). For example, the table above shows that the price per additional tonnage in Dallas, Texas is only $27, whereas in Boston it’s $95.
So if you live in an area with relatively higher landfill fees then you can expect the price of dumpster rentals to be higher as a result.
It really does pay to throw as little away as possible and strive towards zero waste.
On top of this, if you have more waste than your container can handle in one trip to the landfill or recycling center, your rental rates will undoubtedly be higher because of the greater amount of times the dumpster has to be transported and then emptied.
The key takeaway here is the less trash you put in a dumpster, the more cash you’ll keep in your pocket, and the more protected your environment and community will be!
Front-load | Rear-load | Roll-away dumpsters
Rental costs for front-load, rear-load or roll-away dumpsters are variable based on your location and the options you select from your chosen dumpster service provider.
For example, you can choose to rent dumpsters for garbage and recyclable materials on a temporary or permanent basis. You can also opt for the dumpsters to be serviced anywhere from daily to monthly depending on the amount of waste generated on your property.
Although these types of dumpsters are ideal for businesses and institutions that require regular trash collection, they are also useful for one-off small residential remodels or home cleanouts.
If you’re a business that‘s taking proactive steps towards waste reduction, or better yet, zero waste, you can expect to receive considerable economic benefits. For one, the dumpsters on your premises would not need to be serviced as frequently by the haulage company. Recovering valuable materials from your trash would reduce expenditures toward new materials as you would be able to reuse the materials you already have.
It can also help develop creativity and innovation in your organization, as members are encouraged to be more resourceful.
To give you an idea of rental pricing for dumpsters of this kind, we have listed below some rates recently provided by dumpster companies in different locations.
If you’re considering renting front- or rear-loading dumpsters on an on-going basis for your business or institution, then the following table will be useful. This table shows the monthly commercial rates (excluding tax) quoted at different locations for a 2-Yard garbage dumpster that’s collected once a week for the disposal of non-compacted trash.
| Location | Monthly Rental Rate |
|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $88 |
| Chillicothe, OH | $126 |
| Folsom, CA | $87 |
| Fulton, MO | $94 |
| Milford, NH | $105 |
| Pullman, WA | $97 |
| Rowlett, TX | $73 |
| Sebring, FL | $79 |
Prices for recycle dumpster services are typically much cheaper than solid garbage waste. This is because the fee a haulage company has to pay to dispose of recyclable materials (also known as green waste) at a recycling center is much less than what they would be charged to dump solid waste at a landfill.
If you are looking to rent a garbage or recycle dumpster for temporary residential use then you can generally expect to pay anywhere from 0-20% higher than commercial rates. Short-term dumpster rentals of this kind are typically defined as no longer than a month, and can have more frequent collections just as with commercial rentals.
Are there any hidden fees or terms I should watch out for?
A reliable dumpster rental company will present all the costs and terms of their services to you up-front, without delay and reluctance to do so. Bear in mind that in order for them to do so you’ll first need to provide them with some relevant information, such as the type and size of dumpster you need based on the nature and volume of the waste you intend to dispose of.
Once they have this information the service provider should disclose all the terms of the rental before the rental period begins, in writing, on an invoice or terms sheet. This includes informing you of all the possible expenses you may incur using their services.
Discussed below are some of the most common terms that anyone renting a dumpster should at least be aware of.
Additional fees will vary depending on your location, but in general you can expect to incur extra charges if:
- The haulage company cannot deliver or pick up the dumpster due to height restrictions or obstructions on your property that are blocking access.
- The dumpster is over-loaded with trash. A good indicator of this is if there’s trash hanging over the sides of the dumpster.
- The dumpster contains prohibited items that were not part of the rental agreement. Note: most dumpster companies won’t accept trash that’s considered hazardous because this type of waste is toxic and therefore can’t be disposed of with other trash. For example, computer equipment, refrigerators, air conditioners, or old tires shouldn’t be dumped with yard trimmings or paperboard.
- Your trash exceeds the weight limit of the rental agreement.
- You keep the dumpster longer than the agreed rental period (usually charged per additional day).
- Your dumpster needs to be emptied more than the amount of times specified on your invoice.
Permits from your local municipality may also be required before the dumpster can be placed on a street or other public property. The dumpster company should make absolutely clear whether it is yours or their responsibility to obtain the necessary permits.
Am I ready to start renting?
Hopefully, by now you will have a good idea of how dumpster rentals work and the ways you can save yourself and the environment from paying a hefty price as you process your trash.
We understand that the above information is a lot to digest at once. This is why we have put together a checklist of 5 actionable steps that you can take right now to manage your trash and save more cash, all while helping to protect the environment and your community.
#1: Compare dumpster rental prices from at least three responsible companies in your area.
Not only will this help you get a truer sense of the company you’ll be dealing with, it will also enable you to negotiate prices down as service providers compete for your business.
#2: Ask for a better deal.
Often, rental companies will match or beat pricing once they are aware that a competitor has already offered you cheaper rates.
You may be led to go with one company over another with offers such as:
- Discount for cash payment
- Discounts for senior citizens and military servants (active or retired)
- Seasonal discounts
- Free junk removal service
- Same day delivery and pickup
- No additional tonnage fees
- Flat rate rental fee
- Longer rental period
- No late rental fees
#3: Rent locally.
Renting from a local company has lots of benefits. Some of these include:
- Very competitive rates as the dumpster service will have less transport and labor time costs to cover.
- Less greenhouse gas emissions, as the dumpster truck travels less of a distance to get to your premises.
- Word-of-mouth recommendations from locals for a reliable dumpster company with good customer service.
#4: Only rent as much dumpster as you need.
Larger roll-off dumpsters are usually heavier and will therefore cost more to transport. At the same time, you don’t want to rent a dumpster that’s so small that you incur multiple trip fees for the container to be emptied.
Get an idea of the amount of waste generated at your property and choose an appropriate size. It may help to visit a dumpster provider before the rental so that you can view the dumpster sizes available and get a better sense of the size that’s right for you.
Alternatively, you could request the dumpster company to assess your trash on your behalf and recommend an appropriate size. Some companies may decline such a request for liability reasons while others may charge separately for this service.
#5: Get all the terms of the rental in writing with the correct dates recorded before the rental begins.
Like any job of this nature, there are unpredictable circumstances that could occur within the rental of a dumpster.
Most reliable dumpster services will be covering their back legally in the case of such events with documents such as damage release forms. It’s a good idea to make sure that you are also legally covered for unforeseen circumstances such as property damage.
Dumpster Rentals in action:
We have included some videos that do a good job of demonstrating how a dumpster rental works in practice.
Roll-Off Dumpster Video:
This first video demonstrates a large roll-off container being used on a home family project. It shows the hauling company delivering and picking up the dumpster without causing any damage to the property. It also illustrates the type and quantity of debris the dumpster could hold.
Watch how easy it can be to dispose of a lot of household debris at once using a large roll-off dumpster!
Front-Loading Dumpster Video:
This next video demonstrates a front-loading container being serviced on a commercial property. It’s also a great example of just how friendly and personable responsible dumpster companies can be.
Check it out!