Construction jobs yield a large amount of debris and waste. This is true regardless of the size and scope of the project, whether it’s a home renovation, a demolition, or construction of a large building.

As such, there is always a need for large, construction dumpsters on site. It’s not always easy to choose which one to rent. Contrary to what some people may expect, there are different types of dumpsters — all of which serve varying purposes and come with different advantages.

Construction vs Commercial and Residential Dumpster

A construction dumpster is also known as a roll-off dumpster. This type of dumpster has a flat and open top and wheels attached at the bottom of the container. Construction roll-off dumpster rentals are typically leased to construction crews on a per-project basis.

Residential dumpsters have a similar build as construction dumpsters. Both are spacious, rectangular, and have flat, open tops. However, residential dumpsters often have more limited storage capacities.

Meanwhile, commercial dumpsters are much smaller and shaped according to the type of truck that loads them. A rear-load dumpster is tall, wide, and has a slanted back while a front-load dumpster is compact and has a slanted front. Both types of commercial dumpsters usually have a lid to keep the smell in and pests out.

5 Types of Dumpsters Used in Construction Projects

All construction dumpsters serve the same general purpose: to store the debris and keep it safely out of the way while the construction goes on. However, different dumpster types and sizes serve certain uses and handle different kinds of debris better than others.

1. Construction Debris Dumpster

A construction debris dumpster is meant for use in large-scale projects. The size of this type of dumpster ranges from 10 to 40 yards. The 10- to 20-yard dumpsters are often used for cleaning up big residential projects. Meanwhile, the 30- to 40-yard ones are mainly used at commercial construction sites.

Construction debris dumpsters are meant to hold a wide variety of waste and trash. These include:

Wood and lumber
Drywall
Siding material
Plumbing pipes and fixtures
Furniture
Carpeting
General garbage

Appliances, such as refrigerators and HVAC units may also be disposed of in construction debris dumpsters. However, they need to be drained before doing so.

All types of liquids and fluids are not allowed to go in construction debris dumpsters as landfills often prohibit such items due to their safety risk. These include paints, inks, cleaning fluids, oils, and fuels.

2. Yard Debris Dumpster

As its name implies, this type of construction dumpster is used for any type of yard or landscaping waste. This includes:

Trees
Branches and leaves
Bushes
Rocks
Soil or dirt

Yard debris dumpsters also come in a variety of sizes. The 10-yard dumpsters are ideal for dirt removal and regular yard maintenance while the largest 40-yard dumpsters are often used for commercial landscaping, clearing out spaces for construction, and storm debris cleanup.

3. Heavy Debris Dumpster

This type of construction dumpster is primarily used to store and haul heavy-duty debris from foundation removals, demolitions, and large-scale construction projects. This includes the following:

Asphalt and slate
Concrete or cement
Stone and bricks
Large roofing materials
Flooring materials

4. Self-contained Compactors

Compactor construction dumpsters are complecalltoy sealed trash bins fitted with a metal blade inside. The metal blade cuts down and compresses the waste thrown inside.

Self-contained compactor dumpsters allow construction sites to efficiently reduce and manage the size of their accumulated debris. Similar to the previous types of dumpsters, self-contained compactors are also available in various sizes.

Some compactors may also have hydraulics, security chutes, and other instruments to improve their performance. Other self-contained compactors are also designed to effectively dispose and compress wet debris while other units come with odor neutralizers to reduce bad odor and bacteria growth.

5. Specialty Dumpsters

Specialty construction dumpsters typically have rubber tires and are pulled behind regular trucks. Compared to the other construction dumpsters, the size of specialty dumpsters often only ranges from 10-yard to 25-yard ones.

Unlike the larger construction dumpsters, this type of dumpster isn’t as harsh on the ground. As such, it can safely be parked and used atop heated or stamped driveways.

Finding the Right Dumpster Rental Partner

If you’re embarking on a construction project of your own, it’s best to contact trusted professionals for your construction dumpster rental. A reliable local construction dumpster rental service can also help you determine the right dumpster type and size for your project.

Call Affordable Hauling today to learn more about our dumpster rental services and how we can help you with your project.

What are the Different Types of Dumpsters Used in Construction?