How to Efficiently Load a Residential Friendly Roll-Off Dumpster: 10 Steps for Success!

Renting a big dumpster rental is one of the easiest ways to handle large amounts of junk or trash. They’re great for spring cleaning, decluttering in the fall or any kind of DIY project you have on the go.

Before you get started though it’s a good idea to have a plan — instead of scratching your head asking yourself how to load a roll off dumpster.

That’s why we’ve put together our list of things to keep in mind as you load your bin. If you use these steps as a guide, you’ll be able to load your residential friendly roll-off dumpster quicker and you’ll get more in each load.

1. Make Sure to Rent the Right Size

There are important questions to ask before requesting a dumpster delivery. Examples are how many tons are in a roll off dumpster and how much weight can you put in a 20 yard dumpster? Our big dumpster rental can handle a lot. The answer to the first question is it depends on the size you order and for the second one it’s between 5000 and 7000 pounds.

While the two questions above are important, the more important one to ask yourself is how do I know I’m renting the right size dumpster for my project? At Bin There Dump That we have a pretty good idea which projects go best with each size dumpster, so ask any of our Live Dumpster Consultants for some expert guidance so you can be sure you’re picking the right one for you.

2. Choose A Good Spot for Loading A Dumpster

One of the main reasons for renting a dumpster is convenience. Instead of having to make a bunch of dump runs in your pickup truck, you can load everything right in your driveway. Choosing to rent a dumpster is a great start, but there’s a little more to think about if you want to set yourself up for success.

For more efficient loading, you’ll need to make sure you choose a good spot to place your dumpster. Preferably, in a position that’s as close as possible to where you’ll be doing most of your work. That way you’ll have a shorter distance to go for loading.

If the dumpster has a large swinging door, you'll want to make sure the spot you have the dumpster placed can allow enough room for the door to open. Doors make it easier to load the dumpster as you can walk heavy items right in and place them exactly where you'd like inside, to organize the junk in a way that maximizes your dumpster.

3. Find Out Ahead of Time What Can Go in A Dumpster

It’s always better to have a plan and to avoid any surprises. If you know ahead of time the things that can be loaded into your rental dumpster you won’t have to worry about it later. Most household items are okay, but there are a few items that always cause a bit of confusion. A great example is tires.

Most people think that tires can’t go in the bin you’ve rented, but that’s not true. In most areas where Bin There Dump That operates they’re perfectly acceptable. There is a small catch though — tires come with an extra charge per tire. Our Live Dumpster Consultants can help figure out how much extra you’ll have to pay when you call to order. Just let them know how many tires you have for your load and they’ll break it all down for you.

4. Think Safety First Before You Start Loading

You can’t load a roll off dumpster without thinking about safety first. It should be the number one thing on your mind. That includes the use of safety shoes and eyewear. In our experience taking shortcuts never works out well. Another key part of thinking safety first is to make sure you have a bit of help to load those large items. There may be doors on our dumpsters, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still injure yourself carrying a heavy piece of furniture inside that’s a bit too much for one back to handle.

5. Break Down Items Before Placing Them in the Bin

The more you can break down your trash, the easier it will be to load it in your dumpster. Smaller items are also easier to fit in the cracks around your larger stuff such as furniture and old cabinetry. The more room you make for your junk, the more you can toss.  A good rule of thumb is to break it down if you can, no matter what kind of junk, trash or debris you're disposing of.

6. Create A Plan for Large Items Before Loading A Dumpster

It’s always best to load large items in your dumpster first, but don’t stop there. Look at it like a jigsaw puzzle. How can you place each large item on the floor to maximize your available space? Once you have a good picture of how to place those big items in your head, you can then start to fit them together. Make the most of your dumpster and create a plan for larger items like old couches.

7. Fill in Spaces Between Large Items With Smaller Trash

As you start to fill in those large items, don’t forget about the small ones. Take advantage of the space in between that couch and loveseat. Fill up all of this extra space with bags of trash or small loose items.

8. Start Loading at The Furthest Point from The Doors

If you’re wondering how roll-off dumpsters are set up, the answer is it depends on who you rent your container from. At Bin There Dump That each one of our dumpsters has walk-in double doors no matter which size you choose. With that in mind, the best way to load your rental is to start placing items at the furthest point from the doors. Then you just keep stacking and packing as you work your way backwards. Just make sure you leave enough space to close the doors again as you fill up your space!

9. Distribute Your Load Weight Evenly

Weight distribution can be very important for efficiently loading your roll-off dumpster as well. If you balance everything out properly, you’ll be able to pack your bin tightly. An evenly distributed load will also make it easier for the removal driver to lift your loaded bin on the truck to take it to the landfill.

10. Avoid Overloading Your Bin

At this point you’ve got a pretty good idea of how to load a roll off dumpster, but there’s one more thing to keep in mind. You don’t want to overload your bin. If you load your bin too far over the top the driver will have to ask you to remove some items before they can safely lift it for removal. An overloaded bin is hard to secure as well and the last thing we want is to lose trash on the road!

Many times they will charge you fees for overfilling the dumpster. It's best to avoid such fees by loading the bin right at the top line and not over. Efficiently packing the dumpster can help you avoid this.