Concrete Waste Management

How much concrete can I put into a dumpster?

The typical weight of a 12-yard dumpster that is filled with concrete is roughly 12 tons.

The maximum amount of concrete that we can hall at one time is one 12-yard dumpster. However, the concrete cannot be loaded higher than the sides of the dumpster.

1 cubic yard mixture of gravel, sand, or stone can weigh more than 3,000 pounds.

1 cubic yard of asphalt or concrete weighs about 4,000 pounds.

A 4 inch thick, 10’ x 10’ pad of concrete measures to be roughly 1.23 cubic cards. It also weighs around 4,400 pounds. In order to calculate the weight of the concrete by cubic foot, simply divide the cubic yard weight by 27.

The weight and volume of concrete depend on how it is loaded.

The information above is only for the recycling of concrete (clean concrete). There is no top cap on a clean dumpster.

How much concrete can I put in a regular debris dumpster?

You can fill a 12-yard dumpster, fill a 20-yard dumpster 1/2 full, and you can fill 1/3 of a 30-yard dumpster.

If you only partly fill your dumpster with concrete and want to fill the rest with heavy materials such as roofing, plaster, or drywall, the truck may not be abv to remove the dumpster from where it was placed. This will require you to rent a second container. In addition, the dumpster will be subject to a ton cap and may cost hundreds of dollars in addition to the included tonnage of a regular dumpster rental.

How to Calculate Cubic Feet & Yards For Trash and Concrete

How to Calculate Yards

The formula: # of Cubic Yards = Length (feet) X Width (feet) X Depth (feet) = __ ÷ 27. Simply multiply the three dimensions together to find the number of cubic feet, then divide by 27 to find the number of cubic yards.

To convert Cubic Yards to Tons*: Cubic Yards x 1.4 = Tons. To convert Tons to Cubic Yards*: Tons ÷ 1.4 = Cubic Yards.

Shingle Information

One square equals three bundles of shingles, which covers 100 square feet. Count on each square of three-tab shingles weighing around 250 pounds. However, architectural squares are going to weigh around 360 pounds. There is also the problem of multiple layers of roof that might be coming off. So, if you have a 20 square roof with two layers of shingles coming off, you’ll need a roll-off dumpster that can handle 40 squares.

Below is an estimate of container sizes and the number of squares they can handle:

30-yard dumpster	90 squares = Est. 7,000 - 10,000 pounds ( Est. 3.5 tons - Est. 5 tons )
20-yard dumpster	60 squares = Est. 6,000 pounds ( Est. 3 Tons )
15-yard dumpster	45 squares = Est. 4,000 - 6,000 pounds ( Est. 2 tons - Est. 3 tons )
10-yard dumpster	30 squares = Est. 4,000 - 6,000 pounds ( Est. 2 tons - Est. 3 tons )

General Information

20 cubic yard dumpster: Equivalent to about 110-130 33-gallon trash bags, 6 pickup truck loads, or 180-270 wheelbarrow loads.

30 cubic yard dumpster: Equivalent to about 170-190 33-gallon trash bags, 9 pickup truck loads, or 270-405 wheelbarrow loads.

40 cubic yard dumpster: Equivalent to about 230-250 33-gallon trash bags, 12 pickup truck loads, or 360-540 wheelbarrow loads.

1 cubic yard of mulch weighs about 1,000 pounds, depending on dryness.
1 cubic yard of soil weighs roughly 2,200 pounds.
1 cubic yard of sand, gravel, or stone can weigh more than 3,000 pounds.
1 cubic yard of roof shingles can weigh between 4,200 - 7,000 pounds.
1 cubic yard of concrete or asphalt weighs about 4,000 pounds.
1 cubic yard of drywall weighs about 500 pounds.
1 cubic yard of carpet can weigh between 2,300 - 3,200 pounds.

Other things to consider when renting a dumpster for concrete.

When looking to dispose of your concrete, you need to consider what size dumpster you will need, how many dumpsters you will need, and the number of cubic yards you have of concrete.

Concrete can also be recycled so make sure that you are disposing of “Clean Concrete” which means, no painted concrete, no backwash (Slurry), no dirt, wood, or garbage of any kind.

The weight of your concrete will vary depending on the type of concrete you have. Concrete slabs and chunks both weigh differently, so keep an eye on how much of each you are putting into your container.

Your container should always be placed in a level area, for safety. By calling your local dumpster company they will assist you with answering all your questions. When it comes to Container size most will offer a 12-yard Lugger or a 12-yard Roll-Off container, These containers are great for hauling concrete.