Disposal Bin Size Calculator
Answer three questions about your project and get an instant disposal bin (dumpster) size recommendation with pickup-truck load equivalents. The calculator factors in project type, scale, and debris weight so you get a size that fits your volume without exceeding safe transport limits.
Step 1: Project Type
Select your project to begin.
Step 2: Project Scale
Step 3: Debris Material
Recommended Bin Size
A 1-2 room kitchen renovation produces roughly 3-4 pickup loads of cabinets, drywall, and fixtures.
Fits 3-4 pickup truck loads; roughly the height of a standard driveway. Best for basement cleanouts and small renovations.
3-4 pickup truck loads
~50 garbage bags
Borderline Backup Size
14-Yard 14-Yard Renovation
5-6 pickup truck loads ยท ~75 garbage bags
See 14-yard pricesCompare live vendor pricing for the 10-yard bin in Airdrie.
Disposal Bin Size Comparison Chart
Compare every standard roll-off disposal bin size available in the GTA by dimensions, capacity, included weight, and best use. Use this chart to confirm your calculator recommendation or compare sizes side by side.
| Size | Dimensions | Capacity | Included Weight | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Yard | 12ft L x 8ft W x 4ft H | 3-4 pickup truck loads | 1 ton | Small cleanouts, heavy materials (concrete, dirt) |
| 14-Yard | 14ft L x 8ft W x 5ft H | 4-5 pickup truck loads | 1.5 tons | Kitchen renovations, flooring tear-outs |
| 20-Yard | 16ft L x 8ft W x 5.5ft H | 6 pickup truck loads | 2 tons | Bathroom renovations, roofing, large cleanouts |
| 30-Yard | 20ft L x 8ft W x 6ft H | 9-10 pickup truck loads | 3 tons | Multi-room renovations, whole-house cleanouts |
| 40-Yard | 20ft L x 8ft W x 7ft H | 12+ pickup truck loads | 4 tons | Commercial construction, major demolition |
When to Choose Each Disposal Bin Size
Each disposal bin size is built for a specific range of projects. Here is when to choose each one.
10-Yard Residential Bin
The smallest standard roll-off disposal bin, best for single-room cleanouts, small bathroom remodels, garage decluttering, and heavy materials like concrete, dirt, and brick. It holds 3-4 pickup truck loads and includes 1 ton of weight. Choose a 10-yard bin when your project is confined to one room or when you are disposing of dense masonry that cannot go in a larger container.
14-Yard and 15-Yard Renovation Bin
A mid-size bin for kitchen renovations, flooring tear-outs, deck removal, and medium basement cleanouts. It holds 4-6 pickup truck loads and includes 1.5 tons of weight. Choose a 14 or 15-yard bin when your project spans 3-4 rooms or involves moderate demolition debris like drywall, flooring, and cabinetry.
20-Yard Renovation Bin
The most popular size for homeowners tackling a full renovation or large cleanout. It holds 6 pickup truck loads and includes 2 tons of weight. Choose a 20-yard bin for bathroom renovations, roofing projects up to 20 squares, garage and basement combined cleanouts, and multi-room remodels. It is the sweet spot for most residential projects.
30-Yard Construction Bin
A large roll-off bin for multi-room renovations, whole-house cleanouts, and commercial construction. It holds 9-12 pickup truck loads and includes 3 tons of weight. Choose a 30-yard bin when you are removing flooring, drywall, and fixtures across an entire home, or for large roofing projects over 3,500 square feet.
40-Yard Construction Bin
The largest standard roll-off disposal bin size, built for heavy construction debris, major demolition, and commercial job sites. It holds 12+ pickup truck loads and includes 4 tons of weight. Choose a 40-yard bin for new home construction, large structural demolition, or whole-property cleanouts where volume is the priority. For most residential projects, a 20 or 30-yard bin is more appropriate and cost-effective.
Disposal Bin Size by Project Type
The full project-to-size mapping used by the calculator. Find your project type and scale to see the recommended bin size at a glance.
| Project | Recommended Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Renovation (Small - 1-2 rooms) | 10-Yard Residential | Cabinets, drywall, fixtures from a single-room or small kitchen update. |
| Kitchen Renovation (Medium - 3-4 rooms) | 14-Yard Renovation | Drywall, flooring, and framing from a multi-room or full kitchen remodel. |
| Kitchen Renovation (Large - entire property) | 20-Yard Renovation | Full kitchen gut with framing, plaster, and fixture waste. |
| Bathroom Remodel (Small) | 10-Yard Residential | Vanity, toilet, drywall, and tile from a single bathroom. |
| Bathroom Remodel (Medium) | 14-Yard Renovation | Full bathroom gut including tub, tile, and drywall. |
| Roof Replacement (under 1,500 sq ft) | 10-Yard Residential | Single-layer tear-off shingles from a small roof. |
| Roof Replacement (1,500-2,500 sq ft) | 15-Yard Renovation | Multi-layer tear-off with compaction padding. |
| Roof Replacement (2,500-3,500 sq ft) | 20-Yard Renovation | Large roof with layered shingle tear-off. |
| Roof Replacement (over 3,500 sq ft) | 30-Yard Construction | Very large roof or commercial roofing project. |
| Basement Cleanout (Small - 1-2 rooms) | 14-Yard Renovation | Stored furniture, boxes, and small demo debris. |
| Basement Cleanout (Medium - 3-4 rooms) | 20-Yard Renovation | Carpet, drywall, fixtures, and framing. |
| Basement Cleanout (Large - full gut) | 30-Yard Construction | Full basement gut with framing and structural demo debris. |
| Garage Cleanout (Small) | 10-Yard Residential | 1-2 car garage with tools, boxes, and small furniture. |
| Garage Cleanout (Large) | 20-Yard Renovation | 3+ car garage or garage + basement combined cleanout. |
| Moving / Junk Removal (Small - 1-2 rooms) | 10-Yard Residential | Furniture and boxes from 1-2 rooms. |
| Moving / Junk Removal (Medium - 3-4 rooms) | 14-Yard Renovation | Furniture, appliances, and boxes from multiple rooms. |
| Moving / Junk Removal (Large - entire property) | 20-Yard Renovation | Bulky furniture and appliances from a whole-home clear-out. |
| Concrete / Dirt / Brick (Clean Fill) | 10-Yard Residential | Heavy debris locked to 10-yard for safe transport. No larger bins allowed. |
| Landscaping / Yard Waste (Small) | 10-Yard Residential | Sod, branches, soil, and small landscaping debris. |
| Landscaping / Yard Waste (Large) | 20-Yard Renovation | Large landscaping overhaul with sod, soil, and tree debris. |
| New Home Construction | 40-Yard Construction | Full construction waste from a new build. |
| Major Demolition | 30-Yard or 40-Yard Construction | Structural demo debris; may require multiple bins. |
How to Estimate Your Debris Volume
If you prefer to calculate manually, here is the formula contractors use to estimate debris volume in cubic yards.
The Cubic Yard Formula
Measure the pile of debris in feet (length x width x height), then divide by 27 to convert cubic feet to cubic yards. Round up to the nearest whole number to get your disposal bin size.
Example: A pile of drywall and framing measuring 12 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 3 feet high: (12 x 6 x 3) / 27 = 8 cubic yards. Round up to a 10-yard bin to leave room for irregular shapes and breakage.
Add a 15% Safety Buffer
Debris piles are rarely perfectly rectangular. Add 15% to your calculated volume to account for irregular shapes, hidden debris, and breakage during loading. Better to have extra room than to need a second bin.
When in Doubt, Size Up
The cost difference between a 10 and 14-yard bin is typically $50-70. A second rental starts at $300+. If your estimate falls between two sizes, always choose the larger one.
How We Calculate Your Ideal Bin Size
The right disposal bin size balances three factors: the volume of debris, the weight of debris, and the physical footprint of the container.
Volume
Each project type and scale maps to a measured volume tier. A 10-yard bin holds roughly 3-4 pickup truck loads, a 20-yard bin holds about 6 loads, and a 40-yard bin holds 12 or more.
Weight
Heavy masonry materials like concrete, dirt, and brick exceed highway axle limits in larger containers. The calculator locks heavy debris to a dedicated 10-yard clean-fill bin for safe transport.
Roofing Math
One roofing square (100 sq ft) of tear-off produces about 0.5 loose cubic yards. The calculator snaps your roof area to the nearest tier with padding for multiple shingle layers or overlapping bundles.
Heavy-debris safety override: heavy masonry materials exceed legal transport highway axle limits in larger containers. You must use a dedicated 10-yard mini bin to prevent structural overloads, regardless of your project volume.
Calculator Reference Matrix
The full project-to-size mapping used by the calculator. Every recommended size links to live vendor pricing in your city.
| Project Type | Scale | Recommended Size | Alternative Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Renovation | 1-2 Rooms (Small) | 10-Yard Residential | 14-Yard Renovation |
| Kitchen Renovation | 3-4 Rooms (Medium) | 14-Yard Renovation | 20-Yard Renovation |
| Kitchen Renovation | Entire Property (Large) | 20-Yard Renovation | 30-Yard Construction |
| Roof Replacement | Under 1,500 sq ft | 10-Yard Residential | 15-Yard Renovation |
| Roof Replacement | 1,500-2,500 sq ft | 15-Yard Renovation | 20-Yard Renovation |
| Roof Replacement | 2,500-3,500 sq ft | 20-Yard Renovation | 30-Yard Construction |
| Roof Replacement | Over 3,500 sq ft | 30-Yard Construction | 40-Yard Construction |
| Basement Cleanout | 1-2 Rooms (Small) | 14-Yard Renovation | 10-Yard Residential |
| Basement Cleanout | 3-4 Rooms (Medium) | 20-Yard Renovation | 30-Yard Construction |
| Basement Cleanout | Entire Property (Large) | 30-Yard Construction | 40-Yard Construction |
| Moving / Junk Removal | 1-2 Rooms (Small) | 10-Yard Residential | 14-Yard Renovation |
| Moving / Junk Removal | 3-4 Rooms (Medium) | 14-Yard Renovation | 20-Yard Renovation |
| Moving / Junk Removal | Entire Property (Large) | 20-Yard Renovation | 40-Yard Construction |
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