Some of the most common questions we receive include, “How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?” and “How much can my dumpster carry?” Visualizing and making use of our volume calculations can be tricky. Still, we always have knowledgeable service agents on hand who are happy to help you get the right fit for your waste disposal needs.
Getting the appropriate tools and vendors for your business is the first step to an efficient and profitable endeavor, which is why we make sure to help you get the right-sized dumpster for your job. Avoid the stress and confusion of insufficient or oversized dumpsters by calling us today!
How Many Cubic Feet Are in a Cubic Yard?
When calculating volume, all three dimensions—height, width, and depth—must be in the same unit. For example, a yard is 3 feet or 36 inches, and when multiplied together (3 x 3 x 3), it equals 27 cubic feet. Dumpsters are measured in cubic yards because trash can vary greatly in weight, from light materials to heavy debris. At Cobblestone Containers, we provide specific weight limits for our dumpsters, but measuring by volume (cubic yards) makes it simpler to estimate how much space you’ll need.
A cubic yard is a relatively easy-to-visualized amount of trash. Some of the most common household appliances, such as ovens, washers, and driers, are all typically around a cubic yard in size. This means if you are dealing with a large amount of insulation, roofing, or construction debris, you can more easily gauge how large of a dumpster you need.
How Much Trash Fits in a Cubic Yard?
Every industry has its own lingo and way of talking about its most common needs. We provide high-quality waste disposal equipment to dozens of industries, which is why we use a more generic measurement. If you are trying to picture how much trash or debris will fit into a cubic yard, picture:
- 1 large home appliance (washer, dryer, oven)
- 4 standard trash bags (33 gallon)
- About half of a large wheelbarrow’s load
- A third of a pickup truck load
- 300 square feet of typical torn-off roofing materials
Each of these examples is roughly a cubic yard on its own, providing a rough estimate of what you can expect from a cubic yard of debris. When using these estimates, you will have to remember that a dumpster typically holds much more than a single cubic yard. If you don’t want to overspend on a larger dumpster, having a more accurate estimate can be invaluable.
What are Common Dumpster Capacities?
Are you planning for a small home improvement job? You might just need a small dumpster to get your debris carted away. Doing larger construction work on an industrial scale? You might need an extra-large dumpster or two to keep your worksite clean and tidy – consider these options:
10-Yard Dumpster
8’x11’x4’
A small and compact dumpster that easily fits onto a typical driveway, providing your DIY work with ample space. It fits more than 3,000 square feet of siding and 10 large appliances and can carry more than five pickup truck-loads at once.
20-Yard Dumpster
8’x22’x4’
A dumpster with a yardage of 20 cubic yards can hold enough for small construction work and large home-remodel debris. This is one of our more popular sizes of dumpsters, commonly used across the nation. You could fit 88 large trash bags in here!
30-Yard Dumpster
8’x22’x6’
This is a very commonly requested size for construction and professional debris removal, capable of carrying more than 120 garbage bags worth of trash or 9,000 square feet of roofing – enough for the medium-sized to larger jobs.
40-Yard Dumpster
8’x22’x8’
For extra large jobs, a 40-yard dumpster can carry nearly as much volume as 20 pickup trucks, and nearly as much as four dump trucks. This is the go-to size for industrial and commercial use at construction sites and other places where debris is abundant.
Get Your Debris Carried Away in a Cobblestone Container!
Now that you have a better idea of the amount of space available within your container, you can move forward with your next big project with more confidence and capability! Are you ready to have a cleaner worksite? Want to avoid a messy lawn during your next home improvement project? Call Cobblestone Containers today and experience an unmatched level of customer service, convenience, and peace of mind!
