What’s the Right Order for Loading a Dumpster? Insights from Economy Disposal — The Best Dumpster Rental Company in Bolingbrook, Illinois

Renting a roll-off dumpster might sound like the easiest part of a cleanup project. But one thing you may not know is that there is both a right way and a wrong way to load a dumpster.

If you throw waste items into the dumpster without a plan, you’re probably going to run out of space quickly. Poor loading can also create an unbalanced or unsafe load, making transportation more difficult.

With some upfront planning, you can maximize space in the dumpster and avoid paying more than you need. As the leading dumpster rental company in Bolingbrook, Illinois, Economy Disposal is going to explain how to load a dumpster properly below.

Start with heavy and bulky items. (Bottom layer)

Load the heaviest and bulkiest items first when you start filling a roll-off dumpster. Placing things like heavy furniture or large appliances on the bottom creates a stable base and distributes weight evenly across the dumpster. A bottom-heavy, balanced load reduces the risk of shifting during transport. As a result, waste items are less likely to slide around or fall over.

Your dumpster rental company in Bolingbrook, Illinois will recommend breaking down bulky items before throwing them into the dumpster, if possible. Disassembling furniture or flattening large cardboard boxes can free up a surprising amount of space inside the roll-off dumpster.

Fill gaps with medium-weight items. (Middle layer)

Add medium-weight waste items like wood scraps or broken furniture parts to wedge into the spaces between heavier items. Layering materials evenly improves balance inside the dumpster and better balance prevents weight distribution issues.

This kind of layering does two important things for you. First, it balances the load. Spreading the weight evenly keeps one side from becoming much heavier than the other.

Secondly, it helps you stay under the weight limit. You can avoid heavy pockets that may push you over the dumpster’s weight limit too fast by spreading the load evenly. You can then squeeze in more waste inside the roll-off dumpster.

Finish with small and loose items. (Top layer)

Load lightweight and loose items like trash bags last. Keeping these items on top prevents heavier waste from crushing them. It also keeps the overall load more contained and safer.

Try to keep the top of the load as level as possible as you are finishing up. A flat surface makes the load more stable and lowers the risk of anything sliding/spilling when the dumpster is being hauled away.

One rule that you should not ignore is not to pile waste materials higher than the dumpster’s sidewalls. Most rental companies enforce strict fill-level limits. This is because overflowing waste can fall out during transport and create serious safety hazards on the road.

Know what items don’t belong in a dumpster.

Companies take most dumpster loads to a transfer station before transporting them to a landfill or a construction and demolition (C&D) facility for proper disposal. But these facilities have strict rules about what materials they will accept. Some materials are actually illegal to landfill and others can be dangerous to haul or compact.

On top of that, some items need special handling or recycling methods. Electronics are a big one. Illinois has a dedicated electronics recycling program, so you cannot dispose of some electronic devices in regular trash. These items include TVs, monitors, laptops, tablets, printers, scanners, gaming consoles, DVD players, old VCRs, etc.

Your local dumpster rental company in Bolingbrook, Illinois will explain all disposal rules to you upfront. You will get a list of banned items (usually included with your quote or rental agreement) and the company will tell you if any items need separate handling or recycling.

Looking for a dumpster rental company in Bolingbrook, Illinois?

If you want professional guidance on filling your dumpster, now is the time to contact a professional dumpster rental company in Bolingbrook, Illinois. At Economy Disposal Service, our team will explain weight limits and proper loading methods before delivering a roll-off dumpster to your property. Contact us today to begin the process.