Paper or plastic? Dogs or cats? The correct answers depend on what you need, want or prefer.
Similarly, dumpster rentals and the WM Bagster® also have their own sets of pros and cons. So before you use one or the other, make sure to do your homework to see which one is best for you and your project.
A Bagster is essentially a green dumpster bag that you can purchase from hardware stores, load with things like yard waste or demolition debris, and have picked up. Along with the dumpster bag itself, it comes with a disposal service.
Here are five things to consider when it comes to choosing between Waste Management's (WM) Bagster® and the Bagster® alternative of a dumpster rental from a local provider like Bin There Dump That.
The main determining factor for you might be what you can fit in the WM Bagster® or an alternative like a dumpster
Dumpsters come in a variety of sizes from 4- to 40-yard bins and hold both small and large items, including mattresses, boxes, furniture, landscape and home renovation materials, appliances, clothes, trash and clutter. You can talk with the dumpster operator to see which size they would recommend for your project.
The WM Bagster® is designed to handle smaller jobs like garage, attic or yard cleanouts and is 2 1/2 feet high, 4 feet wide and 8 feet long. The portable dumpster bag has a 3-cubic-yard capacity and can hold up to 3,300 pounds of construction debris or yard waste. The Bagster® is available in one size.
They both do not accept hazardous materials.
While both can help you clear your home of clutter and unwanted items, they have different levels of durability.
The WM Bagster® is a tarp-like material with handles. When you put items in the bag, you'll need to start filling it at the edges to help the dumpster bag keep its rectangular shape. You should also lay items down flat and not pile construction debris above the edges.
A dumpster is heavy-duty, allowing you to throw or carry items into the bin. So there's no need to lay items flat, as the dumpster is a hard metal and won't lose its shape.
The cost of a bagster is typically $30. The purchasing price may vary across the country. Where the pricing goes up, however, is requesting a Bagster pickup. WM offers to take the junk away by coming to your home and loading the bag onto their truck and hauling it away.
The Waste Management Bagster pickup cost is $160 on average. The cost can go up depending on which part of the country you are located in. The cost may also be significantly higher if you happen to overfill the weight limit they’ve set.
All in all, you should budget roughly $225 for the Bagster itself and for the Bagster dumpster bag pickup cost.
Like with the Waste Management Bagster pickup cost, the pricing of a roll off dumpster varies due to location. If you're looking for comparable capacity of the Bagster® in a roll off dumpster, it would be a 4 yard dumpster. This container will comfortably hold a Bagster® and its contents.
The cost of a 4 yard bin with Bin There Dump That will range from $200-$400 depending on where you live. Unlike the Waste Management Bagster pickup cost, Bin There Dump That’s pricing is all-in, meaning no hidden fees and standard one time pricing.
Should you require more space for your junk hauling project, there are several sizes larger than the 4 yard, and with roll off dumpsters you don’t need to pay a separate fee for pickup.
A Bagster isn’t the only option for small waste removal projects if you want the convenience of picking up at your home. You might also want to consider renting a small dumpster.
How does the Bagster’s Capacity compare to a roll off dumpster’s capacity? Well, the smallest dumpster you can usually rent from your nearest supplier is going to be a 4-yard bin and it will actually fit more material than a Bagster which only holds about 3-yards of material.
If you’re worried about the Bagster fitting all of your waste, a dumpster rental is a great alternative that will give you the extra space you need. The price is comparable as well. How much is it to rent a dumpster? Depending on where you live, a 4-yard dumpster rental from Bin There Dump That will cost between $200 and $400.
In most cases, it’s closer to that $225 mark and that includes your removal. For a similar price, you have an extra yard to work with and that can save you the frustration of wondering if everything will fit.
You can have the dumpster operator leave the rental in a convenient location on your property. Just avoid putting it on sloped surfaces, a neighbor's yard or soft ground. The operator will put boards under the bin to keep it from damaging your yard or driveway.
Since the Bagster® is picked up by a crane on the Waste Management truck, there are some placement requirements. The bag must be 5 feet away from structures or vehicles, have at least 18 feet of vertical clearance and be clear of overhead wires, trees or structures. You should also avoid putting it on sloped surfaces. There may be other requirements when it comes to a Waste Management Bagster pickup.
Because the tri-axle vehicle used to pick up the Bagster® at your home doesn't navigate residential areas too well, it's essential you place your Bagster® as close to the curb as possible. This will save you a headache later when a provider comes by to pick up your Bagster® and you're told it's not close enough to the curb. You'll then be stuck unloading and reloading.
The Bagster® alternative of a Bin There Dump That dumpster rental can be placed essentially wherever you'd like it on your property.
Another difference between the two disposal methods is the pickup schedule.
With a roll-off dumpster rental, you can call your local Dumpster Consultant to schedule an exact date and time for the operator to pick up the bin. You don't have to be home when they come.
Waste Management will pick the Bagster® up within three business days from when you call to schedule the pickup. Their collections are made Monday to Friday from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.
There's a level of flexibility when speaking with a live Dumpster Consultant, and you won't have to worry about what the pickup cost may be as it's included in the all-in pricing at Bin There Dump That.
Whether or not a Bagster is worth it for people looking to clear out some junk depends on their specific needs and circumstances. The Bagster presents itself as a convenient and flexible solution for disposing of bulky waste and debris, particularly during home improvement projects or cleanouts. Its collapsible design allows for easy storage until needed, and its large capacity can accommodate up to 3,300 pounds of material.
For users without access to a dumpster, the Bagster offers a cost-effective alternative. However, it may not be the most economical choice for extremely heavy or frequent waste disposal needs, as multiple pickups can increase the Bagster cost. Additionally, in some areas, waste collection services may be limited, affecting its practicality.
Overall, for one-time or occasional use, the Bagster can be a valuable and efficient solution, but for ongoing or heavy debris disposal, you might find more cost-effective options with a dumpster rental.
If you don't have much to throw out and you plan to work on the project for an extended or an unknown amount of time, the Bagster® might be the best choice since the price is the same no matter how long you keep it (you pay for the Bagster® and then for its pickup).
On the other hand, if you have a lot of items to dispose of and want a set pickup date, you'll need a dumpster to hold all of the materials. You also won't have to worry about not being able to fit all of your items in the bin if you end up with more than first expected.
If you decide a dumpster rental makes the most sense for your next project, contact your local franchise operator, and they'll get everything set up for you.
Images: Bagster in dumpster, WM truck