Roll Off Dumpster vs. Dumpster Bag: Which Is Best for Your Cleanup?

We’ve rounded up the pros and cons of renting a dumpster and using a collapsible dumpster bag, so you can decide which disposal option is right for you.

A dumpster bag is a disposable dumpster made of tough, woven material that is typically for single use. Most dumpster bags can hold about 3 cubic yards of junk. How do dumpster bags work? You can buy them at most home improvement stores. Then, simply fill them up, contact the manufacturer for removal and place them outside for pickup. However, not all trash services provide dumpster bag removal. You’ll need to check with the manufacturer of the junk removal bag of your choice to see if it provides service in your area.

Whether renting a dumpster or using a collapsible dumpster bag is better for your project depends on the size of your project and the amount and type of debris you’re tossing. Below are some key differences between the two disposal options.

Dumpster: Roll off dumpsters come in a range of sizes, usually from 10 cubic yards to 40 cubic yards, making them a great junk removal solution for a variety of jobs. One cubic yard is about the size of a standard washing machine. You can also rent 12, 15, 20 and 30 yard roll off containers, depending on your location and needs.

Dumpster Bag: Most portable dumpster bags, including Bagster, hold 3 cubic yards. This is equal to about three washing machines.

Dumpster: Roll off container weight limits vary. A 10 yard dumpster can typically hold 1 to 2 tons of household junk or construction debris. 40 yard dumpsters can usually hold about 4 to 5 tons of waste. If you’re getting rid of heavy materials, you can request a limit of up to 10 tons. Because of the high weight by volume of heavy debris, you won’t be able to fill your entire dumpster and stay under the weight limit. For example, when renting a 10 yard bin, you can expect to only fill it about halfway when tossing dirt or concrete.

Dumpster Bag: The typical dumpster bag weight limit is 3,300 pounds, or 1.65 tons. Like dumpsters, if you’re tossing heavy materials you won’t be able to fill the junk removal bag all the way. The weight limit for a Bagster doesn’t change for heavy debris like rocks, asphalt and sand. So you’ll only be able to use about 1 cubic yard of the space to stay under the weight limit – about a third of the bag itself.

Our weight calculators can help you estimate your tonnage of debris to help you choose the right disposal option.

Dumpster: A roll off dumpster requires a flat, paved surface. Your bin can go in your driveway, or it may be delivered to your jobsite or a nearby street. (You may need a dumpster permit from your local municipality to keep your bin in the street.) If the location you choose has an incline that requires you to use a parking brake, then it’s too steep for a container.

Dumpster Bag: You can place your collapsible dumpster anywhere it fits, except in the street. A flat area is best for the bag to keep its shape and prevent the materials from falling out. For pickup, your junk removal bag must be within 16 feet of the street and 5 feet away from any structures or objects. Once full, your bag will be difficult to carry, so you should probably keep it in its pickup spot for the whole project.

Dumpster: A roll off dumpster is made of heavy-duty metal and will not lose its shape or tear.

Dumpster Bag: The bag is made of tarp-like materials with handles. To keep its shape, it’s best to fill up the edges first. Overfilling may cause tearing.

Dumpster: You can toss a variety of trash in a dumpster, including home clutter, tree stumps and asphalt. You can also throw away appliances, electronics and mattresses in certain bins. This varies by location and may result in an extra fee. There are some prohibited items that can never go in a dumpster. These materials include chemicals, car batteries, railroad ties and other hazardous waste.

Dumpster Bag: What you can toss in a dumpster bag is similar to a roll off container, with a few exceptions. Dumpster bags can hold household junk, construction debris, furniture, shingles, sinks and bathtubs. In some areas, Bagsters cannot take yard waste. Electronics, appliances and hazardous waste are never allowed in a dumpster bag. Keep in mind that a portable dumpster bag will lose its shape if you fill it with oddly shaped materials. This may make it more difficult to move around and keep your trash inside.

Dumpster: When you rent a dumpster, the hauling company will pick up your bin and take it to the landfill for you. Go online or call to schedule your pickup before the last day of your rental period.

Dumpster Bag: Who picks up dumpster bags? Collapsible dumpsters are picked up by the manufacturer of the bag. Dumpster bag pickup is not offered in all locations where bags are sold. If it’s in your area, you can call or schedule your pickup online. If you’re using a Bagster, you’ll need to provide your address, the exact location of the bag and the contents of the bag.

So, which disposal solution is more cost-effective? It depends. If you’ll be getting rid of less than 10 cubic yards of debris, a dumpster bag is likely a better investment. If your debris weighs more than 2 tons, a 20 cubic yard dumpster rental is more budget-friendly. A 20 yard roll off dumpster can hold about 110 to 130 33-gallon trash bags. To compare, 3 cubic yards, the size of one dumpster bag, would fit about 30 gallon-sized trash bags.

You could rent multiple dumpster bags for a larger project. However, remember that with each disposable bag you purchase, there’s the price of the bag and a separate pickup fee. If you’ll need 10 bags to complete your junk removal project, it will cost over $2,000 — that’s about three times the national average for a dumpster rental.

The cost of renting a dumpster varies by state. It depends on the size of your bin, the type and amount of debris you’re tossing and the length of your rental period. The national average to rent a roll off dumpster is $470. Across the U.S., you could pay anywhere from $200 to $1,000 for a bin.

A junk removal bag costs about $30 upfront per bag. The dumpster bag pickup cost is an additional charge of about $175 per bag, depending on the company. So, if you use one bag and don’t overfill it, your total will come to about $205. But if you need two bags, or even just one and a half, your total will come to $410.

If you need multiple dumpster bags to complete your project, renting a dumpster is likely a better choice. However, if you only need a single bag, a collapsible dumpster may be the way to go. When making your choice, keep in mind what exactly you’re tossing and how much debris you need to throw away.

• Large landscaping projects
• Home renovations
• Demolition jobs
• Whole-house cleanout

• Removing a small deck or patio
• Remodeling a small room
• Removing carpet from a small room
• Decluttering a small area of your home