What size dumpster do I need for concrete or dirt?
Almost always a 10 yard. Concrete, brick, block, asphalt and soil weigh roughly a ton per cubic yard, so a larger container would exceed the truck's legal road weight before it was full. The load must be clean inert material with no wood, trash or rebar unless agreed. Call 1-833-520-0680 for the per ton rate in your area.
Who should rent this container?
Driveway, patio and sidewalk demolition- Foundation and footing removal
- Brick, block and masonry teardown
- Soil, sod and excavation spoil
- Asphalt and paver removal
What are the dimensions and weight limits?
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Standard size | 10 yard, low wall |
| Weight per cubic yard | About 1 ton for concrete or damp soil |
| Typical fill level | Often filled to a marked line, not the rail |
| Pricing basis | Usually per ton rather than flat rate |
| Load requirement | Clean inert material only |
| Rebar | Sometimes accepted, confirm before loading |
Why is this a separate container type?
Because inert material breaks the usual volume logic. A roll off truck has a legal road weight, and concrete weighs roughly a ton per cubic yard. Fill a 20 yard container with broken slab and the loaded truck is around 20 tons over a reasonable limit, which means it cannot legally leave your street.
The 10 yard low wall container exists specifically to solve that. It holds the weight the truck can carry and no more.
What counts as clean inert material?
Concrete, brick, block, mortar, stone, asphalt, soil, sand and ceramic tile. That is the list, and providers hold to it tightly.
The reason is the destination. A clean inert load goes to a crushing facility and comes out as road base aggregate, which costs far less to tip than landfill. One pallet, a few lengths of lumber or a bag of general trash in the container and the recycling option disappears for the whole load.
How is it priced?
Normally as a delivery charge plus a per ton disposal rate, rather than a flat price for the container. The weight varies too much between a load of light block and a load of saturated soil for a flat rate to work.
Ask for both numbers and an estimate of what your job will weigh. As a rough check, a 10 by 12 foot patio slab four inches thick is roughly 1.5 cubic yards, so about 1.5 tons.
Should you fill it to the top?
Usually not, and often you cannot. Many heavy debris containers carry a painted fill line partway up the wall, because the box hits its weight limit well before the rail. Loading above that line means the driver cannot lift it.
If the fill line is reached and material is left, order a second haul rather than trying to overload. A container that cannot be lifted still costs you a wasted trip.
What about a mixed demolition job?
Run two containers. A patio removal that also produces fencing, lumber and general site waste needs a heavy debris 10 yard for the concrete and a separate general container for everything else.
It feels like extra cost until you compare it to a single surcharged load, which is routinely more expensive than the second container would have been.
How does booking work?
Call with your ZIP and debris list
We connect you with a local provider. Describe the material honestly so the weight allowance is right.
Confirm price, dates and placement
The provider quotes the all in total and tells you what the site needs to look like on delivery day.
Load it, then call for pickup
Keep debris level with the top rail. Call when you are done or let the rental period run out.
What does it cost?
| Market type | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Major metro | $325 to $575 |
| Mid size city | $290 to $500 |
| Small town or rural | $260 to $450 |
Going over the included weight is the most common extra charge. Expect roughly $50 to $125 per extra ton, depending on the local landfill rate.
What can you put in it?
Usually accepted
- Household junk, furniture and mattresses
- Drywall, lumber, trim and flooring
- Asphalt shingles, in a heavy debris container
- Yard waste, branches and sod
- Appliances with the refrigerant already removed
- Carpet, padding and cabinetry
Not accepted
- Paint, solvents, fuel and motor oil
- Tires and vehicle batteries
- Asbestos and other regulated materials
- Propane tanks and pressurized cylinders
- Medical waste and chemicals
- Electronics in states that ban them from landfills
Accepted material varies by landfill and by provider. Confirm your list on the call before the container is dropped.
Where should the container sit?
Plywood under the wheels is not optional with this material. A 10 yard loaded with concrete is the heaviest container most providers run, and it will mark or crack a thin residential slab without protection underneath.
The truck needs roughly 60 feet of straight approach, 10.5 feet of width and 23 feet of overhead clearance. Low branches, carports and utility lines are the usual obstacles. Keep cars clear of the drop zone, and tell the driver which way you want the barn doors to face.
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Concrete and Dirt Dumpster questions
Why can concrete only go in a 10 yard?
Weight. Concrete runs about a ton per cubic yard, so a 20 yard would be roughly 20 tons when full, far over the legal road weight for the loaded truck.
Can I mix concrete with other debris?
No. A clean inert load can go to a recycling facility at a lower rate. Wood, trash or packaging mixed in sends it to landfill and usually triggers a surcharge.
Is rebar allowed in the container?
Sometimes, in reinforced concrete, but it has to be agreed in advance. Loose rebar and mesh are often refused because they foul the crushing equipment.
How is this container priced?
Usually per ton rather than as a flat rate, because the weight varies so much. Expect a delivery charge plus a disposal rate for each ton.
Can I fill it to the top?
Often no. Many heavy debris containers have a fill line partway up the wall, because the box reaches its weight limit long before it reaches the rail.
Is broken concrete recyclable?
Yes, in most markets. Clean concrete is crushed into aggregate for road base and fill, which is why providers are strict about keeping the load free of contamination.
Who wrote this page
Written and fact checked by the Dumpster Porta Potty USA editorial team. We check container sizes, servicing intervals and price ranges against published provider rate sheets and federal guidance, then update the page when those change.
Last updated . Read our editorial policy.
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