Bagster vs. Dumpster: Which Is Right for Your Project?
Weigh the pros and cons to find the best debris removal option for your project.
What Is the Difference Between a Bagster and a Dumpster?
A dumpster bag, also known as Waste Management’s Bagster, is a small waste container that can be bought at home improvement stores like Home Depot and filled for pickup.
A roll off dumpster is a large metal container rented from a waste hauling company that is delivered on-site and filled for pickup.
The main differences between a dumpster bag and a dumpster rental are size, cost, how much debris they hold and ideal project type.
Dumpster Bags vs. Dumpster Rentals
Waste Removal Bags | Dumpster Rentals* | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | One size (3 cubic yards of debris) | Available in 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 cubic yard sizes | |
Weight Limit | One bag holds up to 3,300 pounds of debris | Dumpsters generally hold 4,000 to 12,000 pounds of debris | |
Average Cost | $30 + Pickup Cost ($100 to $300) | $286 to $1,538 | |
Convenience | Self-service and flexible timelines | Professional delivery and adjustable timelines | |
Ideal Use Case | Small DIY projects | Large renovations or cleanouts |
How do Bagster Bags Work vs. a Dumpster?
Using a Dumpster Bag
- Find out which dumpster bag brands are available in your area.
- Make sure the manufacturers of the bags provide pickup service in your area.
- If you've verified that disposal services are available, determine how many waste removal bags you'll need.
- Go to a home improvement store to buy the dumpster bags.
- Set up the bags within 16 feet of the street.
- Fill them up and reach out to the company to find out when they can collect them.
Renting a Roll Off Dumpster
- Find a dumpster rental company that serves your area.
- Determine what kind of debris you’d like to throw away to help you get a sense of the dumpster size you need.
- Schedule a delivery date for your dumpster and provide detailed drop-off instructions, such as placing the bin in your driveway or the street.
- Fill your roll off dumpster with your debris, following your rental company’s guidelines.
- Contact your dumpster rental company for a pickup.
What Kind of Projects Are Best Suited for a Bagster vs. a Dumpster?
Buy a Dumpster Bag When ...
✔ Decluttering a specific area of a home
✔ Excavating a light load of dirt or sod
✔ Removing a small amount of drywall
✔ Clearing out a shed
✔ Getting rid of carpeting or flooring from a small room
Rent a Dumpster When ...
✔ Handling an estate cleanout
✔ Cutting down trees, brush or overhauling landscaping
✔ Remodeling a room or rooms
✔ Performing demolition work
✔ Getting rid of bulky items
Order a Dumpster Online
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Cost Breakdown of Dumpster Bags and Dumpster Rentals
What Is the Average Total Cost of Using a Bagster?
The average cost of a dumpster bag is $130 to $330 for a single Bagster. A single Bagster that holds up to 3 cubic yards of debris is $30. However, there is an additional Bagster pickup cost between $100 and $300, depending on your location.
Also note that these averages are subject to local fees and taxes, which will be applied when you schedule bag collection.
How Much Does a Dumpster Bag Cost?
Here’s how to calculate the total cost of a disposable debris bag:
Purchase Price + Pickup Cost + Local Fees and Taxes = Total Cost
What Is the Average Total Cost of Renting a Dumpster?
The average cost to rent a dumpster with Dumpsters.com is between $286 and $1,538, with a national average of $663.
Dumpster rental prices vary by each city's landfill disposal costs and local regulations. Other factors that affect the price of a roll off dumpster include your location, the type of debris you're tossing, how long you keep the dumpster and the container's weight limit.
How Does Dumpsters.com Pricing Work?
We provide all-inclusive pricing so costs are bundled upfront, including 10-40 yards of volume:
Dumpster Rental Cost + Overage Charges = Total Cost
Your dumpster rental cost is made up of delivery, pickup, landfill fees and a set weight limit. Overage charges can happen if the weight of your dumpster exceeds the weight limit you've paid for in your dumpster rental.
Does a Bagster or a Roll Off Dumpster Hold More Debris?
A roll off dumpster holds more debris than a Bagster. The smallest dumpster rental holds 10 cubic yards of debris, while a single Bagster only holds 3 cubic yards of materials.
How Big Is a Bagster Dumpster?
A Bagster from Waste Management is 4 ft x 8 ft x 2.5 ft. It has a capacity of 3 cubic yards and a weight limit of 3,300 pounds. Only 1 cubic yard of heavy debris (brick, concrete, dirt) is allowed per Bagster.
If you need to move the Bagster, you’ll need to be able to pick it up. For that reason, it's not always the best option for heavy debris. If you’re filling your Bagster at the edge of your driveway and don't need to pick it up, this may not be a problem.
In a Bagster, you can typically fit:
- 900 square feet of carpet
- 800 to 1,000 square feet of roofing shingles
- 47 sheets of drywall
- 1 cubic yard of heavy debris (asphalt, rocks, concrete)
How Big Is a Dumpster Rental?
There are a variety of roll off dumper sizes, usually between 10 cubic yards and 40 cubic yards. Dumpster weight limits vary depending on the size of your bin and the type of debris you’re tossing. Learn how to choose the right size for your project with our dumpster sizing guide.
Is a Bagster or Dumpster Best for a Bathroom Remodel?
A small home renovation project, like a bathroom remodel, typically generates 10 to 15 cubic yards of debris. You’ll toss materials like tile, porcelain and plaster, which are heavy, and the weight can add up quickly.
Based on capacity, you’ll likely need three to five Bagsters to get rid of your debris, or a 10 or 15 yard roll off dumpster. However, you’ll want to consider the weight of your materials, too. Each Bagster can hold only 1.65 tons and the average 10 yard dumpster comes with a 1 to 2 yard weight limit. With a dumpster rental, going over your weight limit isn't as much of an issue because they can safely hold up to 10 tons of debris. Though you may have to pay an overage fee for exceeding your weight limit, you'll still be able to safely get rid of the debris.
Average Price Ranges:
- 3-5 dumpster bags: $390 to $1,650
- 10-15 yard dumpster: $305 to $1,304
Figuring Out the Best Place for Your Bagster or Dumpster
Bagster Placement and Pickup
How to Fill and Place a Bagster
The best way to fill a Bagster is to lay it flat, fold down the sides and evenly distribute the heaviest items and materials at the bottom. Avoid moving or dragging the bag after filling, keep sharp objects from puncturing the woven material and do not exceed the maximum volume or weight.
Scheduling Bagster Pickup and Timeline
Bagster collections are scheduled online or via phone, with pickup typically within five business days. You don’t need to be present for collection, as long as the bag is set up according to placement instructions.
Bagster Placement Requirements
The Bagster must be kept on private property (never on the curb or street), within 16 feet of the street and with at least 18 feet of vertical clearance for the crane truck to collect it. This ensures the bag can be picked up safely.
Dumpster Placement and Permitting
Dumpsters can be delivered to any flat, paved surface, including:
- Driveways
- Jobsites
- Streets
Often, keeping your dumpster on private property means you don’t need a dumpster permit. But if you keep your bin in the street or another public right-of-way, you likely need a permit ahead of time.
Accepted and Prohibited Materials
Bagster Accepted Materials
- Flooring
- Plywood
- Tile
- Bathtub
- Cabinets
- Trim materials
- Doors
- Drywall
- Insulation
- Construction debris
Bagster Prohibited Items
- Electronics
- Hot materials
- Asbestos
- Propane
- Chemicals
- Railroad ties
- Fluorescent bulbs
- Toxic or hazardous waste
- Fuel
- Liquids
For a full list of accepted and prohibited items, visit the Bagster website, or the website of your chosen dumpster bag company. It’s important to check local guidelines as the restricted items can vary. Also, only 1 cubic yard of heavy debris (brick, concrete, dirt) is allowed per Bagster.
Dumpster Accepted Materials
- Household junk
- Wooden furniture
- Brick, asphalt and concrete
- Renovation and construction debris
- Lumber
- Storm debris
- Shingles
Dumpster Prohibited Items
- Car batteries
- Tires
- Railroad ties
- Hot water tanks
- Inks & resins
- Paints & lacquers
- Hazardous waste
Check out Dumpsters.com’s full list of accepted materials and prohibited items.
Should I Choose a Bagster or Dumpster?
Bagster pickup is convenient for small cleanouts and light debris, but a small dumpster rental usually provides more capacity and better value for multi-room projects and heavier debris. If the project outgrows one Bagster, needing two means paying for a separate pickup each time. This often costs more than renting a 10 yard dumpster, which can accommodate 1 to 2 tons and offers significantly more space.
[Chart] Dumpster Bag vs. Dumpster Rental
Feature | Bagster (Waste Removal Bag) | Dumpster Rental |
|---|---|---|
Size | One size: 3 cubic yards of debris | Multiple sizes: 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 cubic yards |
Weight Limit | 3,300 pounds (1.65 tons) | 4,000 to 12,000 pounds (2–6 tons) |
Average Cost | $30 (bag) + $100–$300 pickup (total $130–$330) | $286–$1,538 (national average ~$663) |
Convenience | Self-service; flexible fill timeline | Professional delivery; fixed rental period with options for extension |
Ideal Use Case | Small DIY projects, minor cleanouts | Large renovations, kitchen remodel, multi-room cleanouts |
Placement | Must be on private property, within 16 feet of street | Flexible: driveway, jobsite, some street options |
Permits | No permits required | May need permit for public/street placement |
Pickup Timeline | Pickup scheduled, usually within 5 days of scheduled pickup | Customer schedules pickup online when finished loading |
Accepted Materials | Flooring, drywall, insulation, light construction debris | Household junk, construction debris, large items |
Heavy Debris Limit | Only 1 cubic yard of heavy materials (i.e., concrete, dirt) | Multiple tons, more suitable for heavy materials |
Prohibited Items | Electronics, asbestos, chemicals, fuels, hazardous waste, liquids | Hazardous waste, car batteries, tires, liquids |
Buy a Dumpster Bag If …
- The job is a single-room cleanout, small renovation or decluttering project.
- Waste is mostly lightweight materials — such as old clothing, boxes, broken dishes or soft furnishings — under 3,300 pounds total.
- Flexibility to take time filling the bag is desired, with no rental period to consider.
- You need to place the container in a tight area or close to the curb.
- You’re comfortable with self-hauling and scheduling pickup.
Rent a Roll Off Dumpster If …
- You expect to exceed 3 cubic yards or 3,300 pounds, or the project covers more than one room.
- Heavier, bulkier waste — including concrete, large furniture or demolition debris — needs disposal.
- The project requires more than one Bagster, increasing costs.
- You want the flexibility to rent various sizes (from 10 to 40 yards).
- Fast, “all-at-once” junk removal is preferred, or deadlines are tight.
Bagster vs. Dumpster Rental FAQs
How fast do Bagsters fill up during demolition work?
During demolition, a Bagster can be filled in just a few hours (sometimes less than a day), while a roll off dumpster can handle debris from an entire room or more without constant replacement. Bagsters tend to fill up very quickly during demolition work because they only hold about 3 cubic yards of debris — roughly the size of a small pickup truck bed. It’s important to remember that if you’re tossing heavy debris (concrete, rocks, dirt), then you can only load 1 cubic yard of debris in your Bagster.
Are there other companies that offer a similar "dumpster bag" service to Bagster?
Yes, several companies offer dumpster bag services similar to Bagster, including:
- Junk King Dumpster Bags
- Bullbag
- Yellowsack
- Gorilla Dumpster Bag
- Pop Up Dumpster Bag
Can you put everything in a bagster or do weight limits make it cost-prohibitive?
Bagsters have a weight limit, so heavy debris like concrete, bricks or roofing materials can be unsafe or costly. Because it’s just a bag, it can tear or be impossible to move if overloaded. For heavier or bulkier projects, a roll off dumpster is safer, more practical and typically less expensive.
What Do You Think?
Have you chosen a dumpster for your project? Tell us about it. Head over to Twitter or Facebook, and use #dumpstersblog to join the conversation.
