As the name suggests, roll off dumpsters are open top dumpsters that are typically rectangular and have wheels which makes them easy to move and transport. Roll off dumpsters are great at handling large amounts of waste generated by commercial properties, such as in construction and home improvement projects. If you've rented a roll off dumpster, you may be wondering about the best way to load it. Maybe you weren't even aware there"s an art to loading your dumpster to get the most out of it. Thankfully, we have you covered with the following tips and tricks for loading your roll off dumpster.

Place The Dumpster In A Strategic Position First

Be sure to leave plenty of space around the dumpster before loading it. That's because you need space when opening and closing the back gate. Leaving space also gives you room to place trash that you can then sort out when loading the dumpster. It's usually best to place the dumpster in your driveway, but if it's going to be located in any other area, make sure it's not sitting directly on the soil. Instead, find some other material, such as plywood, to keep the ground and the underside dry. You can also use plywood to construct a ramp that will make it easier to load the dumpster and to transport trash via a wheelbarrow or a similar vehicle.

Figure Out What Belongs And What Doesn't Belong

When loading your dumpster, it's important to know the type of materials that shouldn't go into the dumpster. Your dumpster rental company will make sure to outline the materials that cannot be loaded, and they usually construct this list based on regulations that govern local landfills and recycling centers. The list generally included toxic and hazardous materials, such as explosives and flammable liquids.

Organize Items According To Size

When loading your dumpster, you will be adding material of different sizes. To make the most efficient use of the space, you have available. You need to organize items according to size. For instance, it's best to place the larger items at the bottom and then add the smaller items on top. Similarly, once you start by placing the bulkiest items into the dumpster, you can then fill in the gaps by adding smaller items as you work through each section. While at it, it's also important to distribute weight evenly to ensure that the dumpster is well-balanced during loading and transportation.

Break Down Large Items Where Possible

Another tip to make the most efficient use of your roll off dumpster is to break down the bulkiest items so that you can maximize the available space and arrange things more neatly. In the same way, don't just throw cardboard boxes into your dumpster willy nilly. You will get better results if you flatten them first.

Start Loading From Front To Back

This is a handy tap that will make filling your roll off dumpster much easier. As mentioned, roll off dumpsters usually have rear doors that can swing open for convenient access. That means you don't have to load it by throwing trash over the walls. Instead, you can do things more neatly by distributing your trash starting from the front and moving to the back. That way, you don't have to go over the trash you have already loaded to access the space at the front.

Don't Overfill Your Dumpster

Although it's good to make efficient use of the space, don't be tempted to overload your dumpster. The best practice is to stack your trash so that it doesn't rise far above the walls. This ensures that the tarp can securely fit over the dumpster before transportation to avoid items falling off and causing damage. So, when filling your dumpster, make sure the trash is as level as possible.

To conclude, renting a roll off dumpster offers many benefits. For instance, they can be used for a wide range of purposes, including recycling. According to Alliance, over 350 million tons of trash are generated in the United States alone, and over 85 million tons of this trash can potentially be recycled or composted. The rate of recycling in the country is now just above 34%. Making use of roll off dumpsters can help improve this rate, but knowing how to load the dumpster will help you get the most out of it. Need more tips and tricks related to roll off dumpsters? Get in touch with us! We will be happy to hear from you and to help with all your dumpster needs.