Is It Better to Take Trash to the Dump or Rent a Dumpster?

Where can you take trash? There are several ways to get rid of your project debris. Hauling trash to the landfill yourself is one option you may consider. Before deciding, ask yourself these questions.

First, you’ll need to find out if there’s a landfill nearby. Most counties have a landfill, but if there isn’t one near you, travel costs can add up quickly, especially if you need multiple trips to get rid of your trash.

A landfill — also called a dump — is a site used to contain waste. The government regulates modern landfills to prevent contamination of the environment.

Landfills layer waste several hundred feet into the ground to let materials decompose. Clay and plastic layers help remove toxins from the trash. They also prevent leaks from contaminating groundwater.

Landfills require significant resources to operate, so that’s why it’s never free to dispose of waste. Your vehicle and materials will be weighed on a scale when you enter and exit the landfill to determine how much you have to pay.

Yes, there are different types of dumps that accept various materials. Knowing the difference between these landfills will help you understand why your curbside trash service prohibits some items.

Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills are the most common type of landfill. They accept household and nonhazardous waste. You can find everything from food waste to old clothing in an MSW landfill. Chances are, this is the type of landfill you’ll use to dump your trash.

Construction and demolition (C&D) landfills receive common demolition waste and excavated materials such as concrete and building components. This type of waste usually comes from construction projects and large renovations. C&D landfills don’t accept industrial solid waste.

Hazardous waste landfills dispose of materials that are hazardous to human health and the environment. Since these materials need special handling, they come with more expensive disposal costs. If there’s an item you know you can’t throw in a conventional garbage can, take it to a hazardous waste facility.

A waste transfer station is a facility where municipal solid waste is dropped off, sorted and compacted before moving onto a landfill or other final disposal site. Workers sort the waste to screen for hazardous or prohibited items and sometimes recyclables.

While waste transfer stations are primarily used by commercial haulers to drop off waste, some are also open to residents. They are most popular in urban areas. Similar to a landfill, your vehicle and materials will be weighed on a scale to determine the cost.

Most landfills are open to the public, but some are strictly for commercial use. Landfills sometimes vary based on accepted materials, so make sure the landfill you choose can take your trash. You can take most household and nonhazardous waste to an MSW landfill.

Do not try to take your trash to a closed landfill. While these facilities may be operating to be monitored and maintained, they no longer accept waste. If you’re not sure if a landfill is closed, contact your local solid waste management division.

Pickup trucks are the most practical personal vehicle to take trash to the dump. Most standard pickup trucks can safely haul 1,000 pounds. Check your truck’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating to determine how much you can haul. While landfills usually accept cars and SUVs, they aren’t practical for large loads and potentially leaky waste.

Alternatively, you may consider renting a garbage trailer. These are containers with high sides that you can tow behind a pickup truck. Garbage trailer rentals can usually haul more than a personal vehicle, but require rental fees and potential permit fees. Consider those costs in addition to the landfill fees before you rent one.

Depending on where you live, there may be regulations that ensure safe waste transportation. In California, you must cover your load when taking things to the dump to prevent items from falling out onto the road. Some regions require a permit to transport certain materials and quantities of waste. Make sure you know your region’s specific laws ahead of time.

The exact cost to go to the dump will depend on the rates charged by your area landfill and how their pricing structure works. There’s no way to know exactly what you’ll pay ahead of time, but you can reach out to your local landfill and ask how they charge. Landfills typically charge by weight, but their rates can work in a few different ways.

• Charging a fee per load, with a “load” defined as a predetermined weight of debris.
  Example: $60 for every 200 pounds.
• Charging a base fee up to a certain weight, followed by an additional fee for each pound over the base weight.
  Example: $100 for the first 200 pounds; 10 cents per pound after that.
• Charging a fee per pound of debris.
  Example: 10 cents per pound.

Hauling trash to the landfill yourself might be worth the effort if you’re dealing with less than 1,000 pounds of debris. However, renting a dumpster is another way to get rid of trash with a larger hauling capacity and a flat-rate price.

Dumpster rental service is better for anyone tackling a larger project or who can’t spare the time to make multiple trips to the dump.

In the following tables, we’ll compare hauling capacity and the cheapest way to dispose of waste between the two options.

To give you a better sense of what each option can haul, the chart below shows how many dumpsters or pickup truckloads you need for the average amount of debris produced by a few common home projects.

The following infographic compares dumpster rental and landfill expenses. Landfill costs don’t take into account the costs of gas or trailer or truck rentals, if needed.

If you’re considering a dumpster rental, get a free customized quote to learn about available sizes and pricing in your area.