Estimate Your Debris Weight Before You Book
Every rental includes a weight allowance: 1 ton on the 10 to 15-yard containers, 2 tons on the 20 and 30-yard, and 4 tons on the 40-yard. Debris that fits the box by volume can still pass the weight limit, and landfills charge by the ton, so overage is billed per ton. A 10-yard of tree branches is nowhere near its limit; the same box of broken concrete passes it several times over. Estimate first and you will pick the right container the first time.
Fill in a calculator below and press Estimate My Weight. The result shows pounds, tons and the container the weight fits. Estimates are a guide, not a quoted price: for a firm figure use the form at the top of this page or call (267) 394-7733.
Concrete & Asphalt Weight Calculator
Solid concrete weighs about 150 lbs per cubic foot (4,050 lbs per cubic yard). Asphalt is slightly lighter at about 147 lbs per cubic foot.
Shingle Weight Calculator
One roofing square covers 100 sq ft and takes about three bundles. Three-tab asphalt runs about 210 lbs per square, architectural about 225 lbs, slate about 900 lbs.
Drywall & Plaster Weight Calculator
A half-inch 4ft x 8ft drywall sheet weighs about 51 lbs. Plaster and lath tear-out runs far heavier, about 11 lbs per square foot of wall.
Carpet Weight Calculator
Carpet runs 0.5 to 2.2 lbs per square foot depending on pile and backing. Wet carpet weighs far more, so tarp the container if rain is due.
Common Material Weights
- Concrete: 150 lbs per cubic foot, about 4,050 lbs (2 tons) per cubic yard solid
- Asphalt: about 147 lbs per cubic foot, 3,960 lbs per cubic yard
- Asphalt shingles: about 210 to 225 lbs per roofing square, so a 20-square roof runs roughly 2.5 tons
- Slate shingles: about 900 lbs per square
- Drywall: about 51 lbs per 4ft x 8ft half-inch sheet (1.6 lbs per sq ft)
- Plaster and lath: about 11 lbs per sq ft of wall, which is why one floor of a pre-war rowhome can pass 2 tons
- Carpet: 0.5 to 2.2 lbs per sq ft, more with padding, far more when wet
- Dirt and soil: about 2,200 lbs per cubic yard
Heavy debris such as concrete, brick, block, soil and asphalt must go in a dedicated 10-yard heavy-debris container rather than a mixed load. See the dumpster sizes guide for dimensions and the full allowance table.
Weight Calculator FAQs
How many pounds are in a ton?
2,000 pounds. The included allowances are 1 ton (2,000 lbs), 2 tons (4,000 lbs) and 4 tons (8,000 lbs) depending on container size.
Does the weight of the dumpster itself count?
No. Only your debris counts toward the allowance. The container is weighed empty and full, and you are billed on the difference.
What if my material is not listed?
Call (267) 394-7733 with a rough description of the material and volume. We size mixed loads every day and will tell you the container and allowance that fits.
What happens if I go over the limit?
Nothing dramatic: the extra weight is billed per ton at the rate for your county, and we confirm that figure before you book so there are no surprises.
