So you decided you needed to remodel the kitchen. Or you’re getting ready for a move. Perhaps you are cleaning up after a hoarding relative, or need to empty out an overstuffed garage.
Whatever the event, you need to get rid of an overwhelming amount of garbage and have decided that renting a junk bin is your best option. Whether you’re tackling a major cleanout or just need bin rentals for homes, choosing the right bin size and loading it efficiently will help you get the best value. You’ve even picked the company, and now you’re wondering how you get the most out of your money? What are the tips and tricks from the pros who do this every day?
Not to worry! We’re going to take some time and walk through the best ways to help you get the most out of your junk bin rental. Let’s take a look together.
Provide the Best Information
Before you even dial the number for a rental company, take a moment and figure out what you are getting rid of.
How Much Garbage Is There?
What’s the best guess you have about how much is being thrown away? A good average is 60 pounds per square foot in each room you are renovating.
Knowing how much garbage you’re likely to be tossing will help you select the best size bin.
What is Being Tossed?
What type of materials are going in the bin? Is it mixed (wood, metal, fabric, glass etc) or is it mostly the same type of thing (like boxes of old books)?
Some companies will offer only single material pickup. Others will have certain bins that collect everything.
Timeline of the Job
How long do you think you’ll need the bin for?
If it’s a quick job, book for at least two weeks. The bin can always be picked up earlier but extending the rental is more of a hassle.
Total Weight of the Garbage
Can you give your best guess as to how much the weight of your garbage will be?
A good rule of thumb for guessing the weight of the garbage is:
- Wood: 300-500 pounds per cubic yard
- Asphalt shingles: 2400-2600 pounds per cubic yard
- Drywall: 500-700 pounds per cubic yard
If you’re not renovating and only decluttering, the weight range is usually 150 to 400 pounds per cubic yard.
A queen size mattress is one cubic yard, if you need a visual idea of what amount a cubic yard actually looks like.
Pick the Right Bin for the Job
Another way to maximize the space in the dumpster you’ve rented is to pick the correct shaped bin for the job you need done.
There are two main types of bins available in the Hamilton area:
Roll Off
A roll off bin is a large rectangular dumpster that is seen at many commercial construction sites. It arrives on a flatbed truck and is left for you to fill up.
Front Load
A front load, or hook lift, bin is a smaller bin, usually with a lid, that can often be seen sitting out back of fast food chains or retail stores. Some front load bins come with wheels and can be moved around a job site.
Both types of dumpsters come in a variety of sizes, and can hold from six to thirty cubic yards of waste.
Get the Best Use of Space
Once the rental bin is dropped off at your worksite, load it properly! An organized dumpster is a maximized dumpster. Following best practices for loading a dumpster ensures safe, efficient use of space. There are several key points to loading a dumpster properly. They are:
Put it in the right spot
Have the dumpster dropped off in a central location on a firm surface. And keep the ground around it clear, dry, and salted if it’s winter.
Load it evenly
Don’t throw garbage in the bin randomly. Keep the junk spread out and levelled as much as possible. Loading a bin lopsided will lead to things spilling inside the dumpster, which creates wasted space. Break down large items so they load flat.
Sort the garbage by weight
Load heavy items first. Lighter stuff on top, and fill in any gaps and cracks with garbage bags of light material that may blow away. This makes the best use of the space in the bin.
Sort by category: toss, recycle, donate, hazardous
As you clean or renovate, sort rubble and broken pieces into separate categories as you go. This way, the dumpster can be filled quickly, reducing the time it sits on your property, which saves money. Tossing recyclable material usually has no cost at the municipal dump, so by keeping recyclable material out of the dumpster, you save space for actual garbage and save money by using a smaller bin. For detailed information on waste management regulations in Ontario, refer to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks’ guidelines.
Don’t overfill the bin
Overfilled bins are dangerous and won’t be picked up by the rental company. This may lead to extra charges for missing your pickup time. It can also mean you need to rent a second bin to hold the overflow. If you accidentally have more garbage than expected, contact the rental company right away. They’ll likely have an easy solution that everyone is happy with.
Load awkward items last
While it may not make sense at first, loading oddly shaped or lumpy items last will let the flatter
Protect Yourself, and the Garbage
Part of using a bin to the best advantage means keeping yourself safe. If you can’t load the bin because you’re hurt, it’s a waste of money and time. Some basic tips are:
- Wear personal protective equipment: gloves, closed toe shoes or boots, and eye protection.
- Prepare for bad weather: keep the area around the bin clear of debris and salted if it is winter.
Finally, keep the bin safe as well. Damaged bins aren’t able to hold the same amount as a bin that is working properly. Keeping a rental bin safe is as easy as:
- Place the bin under cover if possible
- Use the lids to close the bins, and lock them if you can
- Place the bin in a well lit area
- Use cameras to monitor after hour activity
Cost Effective Junk Removal in the Greater Hamilton Area
For any job size and timeline, the best way to get the most out of your rental is to hire the right dumpster service from a local company with a good reputation. If you’re looking for dumpster rentals in Burlington, E.N Contracting and Disposals offers a range of bin sizes to suit your needs. Give us a call at (905) 966-3623 and we would be happy to set you up with the perfect solution for your garbage
