Dumpster Calculator
Estimate the weight of your debris
What is a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is a unit of volume equal to the volume of a cube with sides measuring one yard (3 feet) in length. A full size pick up truck bed is 2 cubic yards, on average.
Weight Guide
See our estimated weights for common debris placed in dumpsters based on per cubic yard.
| Debris | Weight (lbs) per Cubic Yard | Weight (tons) per Cubic Yard |
|---|---|---|
| Bricks | 2,500 – 3,500 | 1.25 – 1.75 |
| Concrete & Asphalt | 3,500 – 4,200 | 1.75 – 2.1 |
| Dirt | 2,000 – 3,000 | 1 – 1.5 |
| Drywall | 500 – 750 | 0.25 – 0.375 |
| General Household Debris | 150 – 400 | 0.075 – 0.2 |
| Sand | 3,000 – 3,200 | 1.5 – 1.6 |
| Shingles (asphalt) | 2,400 – 2,600 | 1.2 – 1.3 |
| Shingles (slate) | 9,000 – 10,000 | 4.5 – 5 |
| Stone | 2,600 – 2,800 | 1.3 – 1.4 |
| Wood | 300 – 500 | 0.15 – 0.25 |
| Yard Waste (no dirt) | 400 – 700 | 0.2 – 0.35 |
What is household trash?
Household trash, also known as municipal solid waste (MSW), refers to the everyday items we use and then throw away, such as product packaging, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, newspapers, appliances, paint, and batteries.
1. Organic Waste: This includes food waste, yard waste like grass clippings and leaves, and wood. These can be composted or, in some cases, converted into energy through methods like anaerobic digestion.
2. Recyclables: This category includes paper, cardboard, glass, metals (like aluminum cans and scrap metal), and certain types of plastic. These materials can be reprocessed into new products.
3. Hazardous Waste: Certain items in household trash can be classified as hazardous, including batteries, paints, chemicals, light bulbs, and certain types of electronics. These require special handling and disposal to prevent harm to the environment or human health.
4. Residual Waste: This category includes waste that doesn’t fall into the other categories and is typically sent to landfills or incinerators. This could include certain types of plastic that can’t be recycled, rubber, ceramics, and other miscellaneous items.
