Dumpster terminology sounds like a foreign language if you haven’t rented one before.

Roll-off. Cubic yards. Swap. Overtonnage. Dry run.

You shouldn’t need a background in construction to figure out what dumpster you’re ordering.

So here’s your guide to dumpster rental terms – in plain English, no industry jargon.

Roll-Off Dumpster

Translation: The traditional steel dumpster you see on construction sites, renovation projects and cleanouts.

“Roll-off” is the common industry term for this style of open-top dumpster that sits on the ground.

This is the style you’ll see offered by almost every dumpster rental company, many of which use the old-school cable system – so their dumpsters literally roll off of their trucks.

Salty Bins does things differently.

We actually run hook-lift systems, which use hydraulics for greater control over the dumpster when lowering and lifting.

Safer for you, safer for us.

Every Standard Roll-Off Dumpster includes Driveway Protection Pads – by default – no special request needed.

Or you can choose a different style of dumpster – Premium Driveway Dumpsters.

Premium Driveway Dumpsters

Translation: these remain on rubber wheels the entire time – the tires are not just part of the transportation process.

Ideal for locations with low-hanging trees, permeable paver driveways, and projects that require placement on grass.

Unlike our Standard Roll-Offs, these trail behind the truck, and can get in tight spaces.

Our Premium Driveway Dumpsters remain on tires and are available in both 10-yard and 20-yard sizes.

You don’t need to decide which one you need before you call us.

Tell us about the project and where the dumpster is going – we’ll help you determine the best fit!

Cubic Yard

Translation: unit of measurement for the material in the dumpster

Dumpster sizes are measured in cubic yards (a measurement of volume) – trying to tell you the capacity of the dumpster.

How much will fit in there?

One cubic yard is 3 feet long × 3 feet wide × 3 feet high.

Helpful if you enjoy doing abstract math.

For everyone else, think in terms of pickup truck loads.

10-Yard Dumpster

Translation: a 10 cubic yard capacity, which holds about 4 pickup truck loads worth of material.

This is the easiest way to estimate what you need.

Look at the pile and ask yourself:

How many trips would this take if I loaded it all in the bed of a pickup?

Four or less? You’re looking at a 10-yard (also abbreviated as 10YD or 10yd).

More? Go bigger!

At Salty Bins, the price difference between sizes is only +$100.

20-Yard Dumpster

Translation: a 20 cubic yard capacity, which holds about 8 pickup truck loads worth of material.

It gives you double the capacity of a 10-yard.

More room for larger cleanouts, bigger projects, or bulky items like sofas.

When you’re choosing a dumpster size, think about volume first; everything should fit in one dumpster whenever possible.

You don’t need to predict what everything weighs — that’s what included tonnage is for ◡̈

Tonnage

Translation: how much your debris/junk weighs, measured in Tons.

1 Ton = 2,000 lbs (included with every 10-yard dumpster from Salty Bins)

2 Tons = 4,000 lbs (included with every 20-yard dumpster from Salty Bins)

We include those amounts because they cover the disposal weight for most of our clients.

When you’re comparing dumpster prices pay close attention to this – not every company includes disposal weight and that will dramatically affect how much you end up paying in the end.

Overtonnage

Translation: any weight beyond the included amount.

If your debris is over the weight included, the extra weight is going to cost extra.

At Salty Bins, that extra weight is calculated at $80 or $90 per Ton (based on County).

This is not something to be afraid of – remember, 1 Ton is 2,000 lbs.

So an extra one-thousand pounds of material in the dumpster is only + $40-$45.

Extra weight is better than needing an extra dumpster.

Swap/Exchange/Pull

Translation: picking up a full dumpster and replacing it with an empty dumpster.

Expected for large projects like full interior demolition, multiple room renovations, full estate clean outs, etc.

But sometimes the little project grows.

Something changes or is discovered (water leaks, mold, things that need repairs) and suddenly you have a lot more debris than you planned for.

That’s okay.

And it’s exactly why Salty Bins offers Same Day Service – so your project isn’t delayed by the dumpster.

An exchange is considered a new order – so the included time and weight will reset with the new dumpster.

Another 7 days, another 1-2 tons, delivery and removal included. Every time.

But some people end up getting a swap because they loaded the dumpster haphazardly.

That is what we want to avoid.

Get everything in one dumpster, whenever possible.

How? We recommend playing Dumpster Tetris from the very beginning.

Dumpster Tetris

Translation: the strategy behind every perfectly loaded dumpster

It starts before you put anything in the dumpster.

Can it be broken down? Break it down.

Is it bulky? Place it in the dumpster first.

Can it lay flat? Lay it flat.

If you randomly toss items into the dumpster, it will fill up FAST. Guaranteed.

Trying to rearrange items after they’re in the dumpster is close to impossible (and dangerous).

So play the life-size game of Tetris (dumpster-style) from the beginning.

Avoid air pockets and maximize the capacity of your dumpster.

Remember – you can only fill as high as the walls of the dumpster.

Loading with a strategy is key to saving $$$.

Per-Load-Price

Translation: one dumpster = one order

“Dumpster rental” is the phrase everyone knows, but it’s truly a hauling service.

You’re paying to have your debris hauled and dumped at the landfill — the company provides a dumpster to make that possible.

Some companies have a separate fee for dumpsters #2, #3….often a much lower rate for the service, BUT no tonnage included. So “$300 + tonnage” sounds great at first, until the second dumpster is less full and somehow ended up costing you hundreds more.

No thanks.

That’s why we call it a “per-load-price”.

Every dumpster includes:
Delivery
Removal
1-2 tons of disposal
& 7 days to fill it up

If you need a new dumpster, you start with a clean slate!

Pickup/Removal

Translation: removing the dumpster, no additional dumpsters needed

You’ll hear both terms in the dumpster world, along with “Final Pull” – meaning your project is finished and you’re ready for us to remove the dumpster (at least for a while).

Pro Tip: Call and have the dumpster removed ASAP to avoid having it turn into a community dumpster.

The longer it sits, the greater the chance of a stranger adding in their own items.

Dry Run / Trip Charge

Translation: something prevented us from completing the service.

A Dry Run can happen when the driver arrives for a delivery, pickup or exchange but can’t safely complete it.

A blocked dumpster, locked gate, unsafe access or an overfilled load can all prevent service.

Easy to avoid – leave the path to the dumpster clear. Call if anything changes – we’re Open 24/7

“So…what dumpster do I actually need?”

Here’s the good news:

You don’t need to guess.
You don’t have to memorize these dumpster rental terms.
We do this every day.

Tell us:
What are you throwing away?
About how much do you have?
Where is the dumpster going?

We’ll help you figure out the rest.

And if you’re comparing dumpster companies, don’t just compare the advertised price.

Compare what you’re actually getting.
Know what you’re signing up for.
ASK QUESTIONS.

Figure out what isn’t included and what that’s going to cost.
And what hidden fees are going to pop up at the end.

Salty Bins was founded to make the process stress-free and eliminate surprises.

We include Delivery, Removal, Driveway Protection,
7 days, and 1-2 Tons with every dumpster rental.
No processing fees. No fuel surcharge.

Fast. Friendly. Reliable.

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