What Fits In a 10 Yard Dumpster?

Small but mighty—10 yard dumpsters are great options for small to medium size cleanups, from bathroom remodels to garage cleanouts, spring cleaning, and more.

10 yard dumpsters are compact and convenient options, but because of their smaller size, it’s important to determine whether or not a 10 yard dumpster is the right size for your project. Before renting, you'll want to make sure that a 10 yard container can hold the amount of debris you have and a big enough weight limit to accommodate your project’s needs.

Although the price of a 10 yard dumpster is attractive in comparison to larger options, underestimating the full scope of your project's disposal needs could end up costing you more money in the long run in overage fees or the need for an additional dumpster.

In this guide, we'll break down what fits in a 10 yard dumpster, what doesn't, and how to be sure a 10 yard dumpster is the right roll-off for your needs.

Jump to:

• How Much a 10 Yard Dumpster Holds
• Common Dimensions and Capacity
• Ideal Projects for a 10 Yard Dumpster
• Average Cost

How Much a 10 Yard Dumpster Holds

A 10 yard dumpster holds up to 10 cubic yards of material. This makes it ideal for small to mid-sized projects like garage cleanouts, yard debris removal, or a small home renovation. To help visualize, it’s roughly equivalent to three pickup truck loads of debris. You could also think of it as being able to hold about 50 to 70 standard trash bags, depending on how full they are.

In terms of weight, this dumpster typically handles between 4,000 to 6,000 pounds of waste, although that can vary based on what you're tossing. Lighter materials like household junk take up more space but weigh less, while concrete, dirt, or roofing shingles are heavier and fill it faster.

Its dimensions generally measure around 12 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 3.5 feet tall, making it easy to place in a driveway or tight space while still holding a substantial amount of material.

Common Dimensions and Capacity

Unlike larger 30 and 40 yard dumpsters, 10 yarders come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, too. There are roll-offs, trailer dumpsters, lowboys (dumpster walls are shorter), and commercial front-load dumpsters. Roll-off containers are the most common, followed by rubber-wheeled trailer dumpsters. Lowboys and flat-bottom dumpsters have shorter sides for easier loading of heavy debris, and they're another common 10 yard dumpster type.

The typical 10 yard roll-off container measures 12 ft L x 8 ft W x 4 ft H.

Keep in mind that dimensions vary, so if you're concerned about the dumpster fitting, it’s important to ask the dumpster rental provider what type(s) of 10 yard dumpsters are available, as well as the approximate dimensions of each type. If you have tight or limited space, be sure to measure the area you plan on placing your rental to make sure delivery goes smoothly.

Some 10 yard dumpsters make more sense than others depending on the type of waste or debris. For example, a lowboy is great for loading heavy dirt or roofing shingles, while a container with tall sides is better for disposing of bulky items, like sofas, chairs, appliances, and the like. This depends on the type, weight, and volume of waste.

Below are some examples of projects and how much of that type of debris a 10 yarder will accommodate.

 

Find out more:

• 8 Steps to Remodeling Your House on a Budget
• Interior Demolition Cost Breakdown for Appliance, Ceiling, Floor, and Wall Removal
• Should I Handle Floor Removal Myself?
• Bedroom Remodeling: The Basics You Should Know

Ideal Projects for a 10 Yard Dumpster

10 yarders are cost-efficient, widely available, and have a relatively small footprint.

10 yard dumpsters fit well in driveways, making them a great option for homeowners working on a home cleanout, renovation, roofing project, cleaning out the house before a move, e.tc

The key to making the most of your 10 yard rental is planning ahead, estimating the type/amount of debris accurately, and abiding by the weight-limit and load-height requirements.

10 yard dumpster is a great choice for smaller-scale projects that generate a moderate amount of debris. Here’s a list of common projects that are typically a good fit for a 10-yard dumpster:

Home Cleanout Projects

• Garage or attic cleanouts

• Basement decluttering

• Estate cleanouts (small-scale)

• Cleaning out a single bedroom or office

• Downsizing before a move

Home Renovation and Remodeling Projects

• Small bathroom remodel (vanity, tub, tile, drywall)

• Partial kitchen remodel (cabinets, countertops, flooring)

• Removing carpet or flooring in one or two rooms

• Removing old drywall or paneling in one or two rooms

Yard and Landscaping Projects

• Spring or fall yard cleanup

• Tree and shrub trimming

• Dirt, brush, or sod removal

• Small deck or fence tear-down

• Hauling away landscaping debris

Demolition and Construction Debris

• Tearing out a small porch or patio

• Small roofing projects (up to ~1,500 sq. ft. of shingles)

• Shed demolition (8x10 ft or smaller)

• Small interior demolition (non-load-bearing walls)

Furniture and Household Junk Removal

• Removing old furniture from one or two rooms

• Disposing of mattresses, couches, or broken appliances

• Light hoarding cleanups (single area or room)

Average Cost

The average cost to rent a 10 yard dumpster is $250-$450 for a standard 7-day rental.

The cost to rent a dumpster, whether it's a 10 yard dumpster or a 40 yard dumpster, can vary depending on where you live (local cost of living, disposal fees, etc.), dumpster availability, the type and amount of debris you're disposing, and who you rent from.

For example, you can expect to pay $500+ to rent a 10 yard roll-off container in New York City, while the same size container in Cleveland, OH can cost as little as $250.

 

Potential Overage Fees

If you fill the dumpster too high or exceed the included weight limit in your dumpster rental price, you could be charged additional fees that turn a great deal into an expensive ordeal if you aren't careful. Overage fees can cost $100+ per ton in some markets, with the average national cost around $75 per ton. These fees can add up fast, especially if the debris is dense and heavy.

For example, 5 sq ft of roofing shingle debris can weigh around 2 tons, while a 20 sq ft roof would generate about 8 tons of roofing shingle debris. A typical 10 yard dumpster comes standard with 2 tons of included weight. Going 6 tons over could cost hundreds of dollars in additional fees which could have been avoided if you ordered an appropriately sized container.

Keep reading about dumpster rental:

• Top 6 Ways to Avoid Dumpster Overage Fees
• How Big Is a 10 Cubic Yard Dumpster?
• How to Prepare for Dumpster Drop-off