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Different Types of Dumpsters: Choosing the Right One for Your Project
5 minute read
Kevin Forestell headshot
Kevin Forestell
July 24, 2023

Different Types of Dumpsters: Choosing the Right One for Your Project

While dumpsters are big, clunky, and take up a lot of space, they are necessary on every job site. That's why it is important to choose the right type of dumpster for your project. Having an effective waste management plan guarantees that your project runs more efficiently and that costs are kept as low as possible.

Not only is effective waste management and material recycling beneficial for your job site but it's also great for the environment. Having a dumpster on site will ensure proper construction waste management and encourage you to keep the site clean of waste and debris. Roll-off, front load, rear load, and construction are all different types of dumpsters you could use for your project.

Roll-Off Dumpsters

Roll-off dumpsters are the most common type of dumpster on construction sites. These dumpsters come in sizes ranging from 10 to 40 Yards. Roll-off dumpsters gained their name because of their rolling features. These features allow on-site delivery by a truck and roll right off the trailer.

Because of their size, roll-off dumpsters require a hydraulic lift system to empty them. The two most common ways to load these types of dumpsters back on the truck are with a winch and sled, or a robotic arm.

The most common sites for roll-off dumpsters are large-scale cleanups, home remodels, and landscaping projects. They are great for large, bulky debris including appliances, roofs, bricks, and trees.

Front Load Dumpsters

Front-load dumpsters are among the two main types of commercial dumpsters. While front-end load and rear-load dumpsters have similar payload capacities, they differ in the ways they are loaded and dumped. These dumpsters are both classified as medium capacity and range from 2 to 8 cubic yards.

Front-load dumpsters are typically found in commercial and residential locations where there is a lot of disposable waste. These settings include apartment buildings, restaurants, retail stores, and many others. These dumpsters are ideal in locations with lots of smaller pieces of lighter garbage.

This type of dumpster is more compact with a rectangular shape and a slanted, hinged lid on top. On either side of the bin, there are slots for the garbage truck to insert its spike, lift the bin, and dump the garbage into the truck's hopper. One of the key differences is that front-load dumpsters are that it allows people to reach the topmost section to toss trash inside.

Rear Load Dumpsters

Rear-load dumpsters are the other type of commercial dumpster, similar to front-load dumpsters. The main difference is that these dumpsters were created to be emptied from the back of a garbage truck. These also come in sizes ranging from 2 to 8 cubic yards.

However, unlike front-load dumpsters, rear-load dumpsters have a slanted back instead of a slanted top. This type of dumpster also uses a hinge system and a winch to dump trash into a garbage truck. There are 2 poles, that connect the dumpster to the back of the garbage truck.

The winch on the garbage truck then connects to the hole in the dumpster and is pulled upwards until the garbage is dumped. The dumpster is then lowered back down by the truck operator, once all the trash is in the truck. Rear-load dumpsters are best suited to more narrow spaces because they are taller and longer. Uses include home renovations, small businesses, and more.

Construction Dumpsters

The term construction dumpster is a broad title for larger-scale waste disposal bins that are transported by trucks. Construction dumpsters have a specific design to safely and efficiently dispose of construction debris. These dumpsters, also known as roll-away dumpsters, contain wheels on the bottom that enable easy hauling off-site.

Some of the advantages of having these dumpsters on site is their size. Ranging from 10 to 40 cubic yards they are ready to take on it all. From building remodeling, demolitions, landscaping waste, and more, they can handle the task.

Another advantage is that they have different models that are specifically designed for handling different debris types. Some are specifically modeled to handle yard waste and soil, others are designed for heavy-duty materials. As a result, you must choose the right type of dumpster rental for your construction site.

Choosing the Right Dumpster for Your Project

Guidance on how to choose the right dumpster is based on project needs like the amount and type of waste, space constraints, and local regulations. It's important to know your project and its needs before you commit to a specific type of dumpster.

When assessing the size of the dumpster you'll need, you should consider the size of the project. A yard remodeling project and a kitchen renovation may need different-sized dumpsters. Considering the weight and size of the materials being thrown away will help you pick the right volume of dumpster.

When dealing with heavier materials, like concrete, stones, and asphalt, it is better to size up, your dumpster rental. Especially when comparing it to using lighter materials during your construction cleanup. When renting a dumpster, it's important to give the company lots of information so they can help you properly.

Your local regulations must be considered as they influence what type of dumpster you get and any permits you need. If your dumpster is on private property, including your yard or lawn, you won't need any authorization other than your own.

But whether you're a contractor or not, you'll need a permit to place a container on the street legally. It's important to ask for authorization ahead of time to ensure no issues or surprises, especially if you will be using government property instead of your own.

Understanding the various types of dumpsters will aid in choosing the best one for your project. Effective waste management helps to keep costs low and run your project as smoothly as possible.

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Kevin Forestell headshot
Kevin Forestell
Kevin Forestell is CEO of DOZR and one of the co-founders. Kevin first got started as an entrepreneur when he founded Forestell Landscaping right after graduating from University. His love and passion for the industry and desire to help solve an equipment problem that contractors faced every day is what brought the founding team to start DOZR. Kevin is proud of the level of efficiency brought to the industry through DOZR and hopes that DOZR will help change the standard way equipment is rented.
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