Waste management is a common problem on work sites, which can slow down progress and increase the risk of injury. The most effective and efficient means of dealing with waste on a site is to hire a roll-off dumpster.
If you are planning to rent a roll-off dumpster, it’s important to put a plan in place when it comes to properly loading it. Otherwise, you may not get the full value of your roll-off dumpster.
In this blog post, your expert team at Freedom Waste Services will highlight some practical tips on how to properly load a roll-off dumpster. This will include every step of the process, from properly placing the dumpster to loading it. Let’s get started.
Choose the Right Size
First things first, it’s important to choose a roll-off dumpster that will fit your project’s needs. Conveniently, we stock roll-off containers in different sizes (10, 20, and 30 cubic yards) so you will be able to fit one that is perfect.
If you are unsure which size you should opt for, don’t hesitate to ask our friendly team.
Correctly Place the Roll-Off Dumpster
Before your dumpster arrives, take some time to consider the most appropriate location for it on your site. You should ensure to leave plenty of space around it and somewhere where it won’t inconvenience employees or other site users.
It should also be located close to where it is needed, so as not to slow down the ongoing process of waste management during the project. It should also be placed somewhere that is accessible for us, both during the delivery and collection.
Create a Ramp
Creating a small ramp out of wood or another suitable material helps to make it easier to load certain items in the roll-off dumpster. When carrying loads of material in a wheelbarrow, it becomes easier to load the dumpster when a ramp is in place.
Review the List of Acceptable Materials
There is a general list of items that cannot be put into a roll-off dumpster. We recommend that you consult with our team about what can and can’t be thrown into one.
Common items that can’t be put into a dumpster include hazardous waste such as motor oils, paints, household cleaners, compressed gas tanks, and pesticides. Other forbidden materials include batteries, flammable liquids, and asbestos.
Flatten Down Items
Where possible, it’s important that you properly flatten or break down items before throwing them into the dumpster. For example, flatten down boxes so that they take up less space than they otherwise would.
With large household items such as dressers and wardrobes, it’s recommended that you disassemble them before placing them in the dumpster. As we will highlight below, allowing pockets of empty space are an inefficient way to load a dumpster.
Play a Game of Tetris
Think of loading a dumpster as playing a real-life game of Tetris (who said loading a roll-off dumpster couldn’t be fun?) It’s all about maximizing the space you have and not allowing any pockets to go unfilled.
Start by loading the dumpster at the closed end and gradually work back towards the gate end. This ensures that you will maximize the available space and you won’t have to climb over items you have already placed in the dumpster. If you spot any empty spaces between larger items, fill these up with smaller items.
Be Careful With Heaver Items
When it comes to heavier items, you should be careful not to dump these all on one side of the dumpster. Instead, aim to spread these out across the length, so that the weight is properly distributed. Remember, an unloaded load is an unsafe load.
Weigh Down Lighter Items
Rather than placing lighter items on the top of the dumpster, it’s recommended that you place some heavier items on top of these so as to weigh them down. Otherwise, they are liable to fall off the dumpster or blow away.
In the case of items such as paper documents and old styrofoam, it’s also recommended that you bag these before tossing them into the dumpster. Otherwise, they can blow away which ends up making a mess around your site, the very thing you are trying to avoid!
Don’t Overfill the Dumpster
It’s important that you don’t overfill the dumpster as this is a health and safety hazard. Avoid placing any items into the dumpster that go over the level of the top rail. Your roll-off dumpster may not be collected if it is overfilled.
Always Wear Protective Clothing
If you are working on an active site, it is likely that you will already be wearing normal protective clothing. In any case, it is essential that you use the necessary safety equipment when loading a dumpster. This includes long pants, goggles, sturdy boots, and gloves.
How to Properly Load a Roll-Off Dumpster
The above information will help you to properly load a roll-off dumpster for maximum efficiency. It’s recommended that you take your time when loading a roll-off dumpster so as to ensure that every space is filled and that it is loaded in a way that is safe.
When you need a quality roll-off dumpster, your premier choice is Freedom Waste Services. We provide both commercial and residential dumpster rentals to help you tackle jobs of every size.
We stock 10, 20, and 30 cubic yard roll-off dumpsters. If you would like more information, contact our friendly team today and get a free quote for dumpster rentals.
