Dumpster Rental Terms & Waste Industry Glossary

Accepted materials
These are the types of debris that are typically allowed in a dumpster. Common examples include household junk, construction materials like drywall or wood, yard waste and certain appliances. Local rules vary, but these materials generally don’t require special handling.

Appliances
Large household appliances like stoves, washers and dryers are accepted in some dumpsters, depending on local landfill regulations. Refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners often require special handling due to Freon and are restricted in many areas.

Asphalt
A heavy construction material commonly removed during driveway or road replacement projects. While accepted in many dumpsters, asphalt often requires a 10 yard container due to its weight.

Attic cleanout
The process of clearing out old belongings, boxes or clutter from an attic. Typically generates a mix of household junk, old furniture and bulk items that can be quickly disposed of in a dumpster.

Batteries
Many types of batteries are not allowed in dumpsters due to their hazardous contents, including lithium or lead-acid. These should be taken to specialized recycling centers or hazardous waste collection sites.

Basement cleanout
Similar to an attic cleanout, but often involves heavier or bulkier items like storage shelving, workout equipment or discarded building materials. A roll off dumpster is ideal for this volume of debris.

Bulk waste
Oversized items that are too large for standard curbside collection — think furniture, mattresses or large toys. Dumpsters are ideal for bulk waste during cleanouts or moving.

Casters
Small wheels attached to the base of front load or rear load dumpsters that allow for easier movement. These are typically found on smaller containers, especially in commercial settings where bins are maneuvered on-site.

Circular economy
A system that aims to eliminate waste by reusing, recycling or repurposing materials to keep them in circulation longer. Supports sustainable waste practices.

City ordinance
A local law or regulation that can affect dumpster placement, permit requirements, allowable materials or service availability. Always check with your local municipality to learn about city ordinances.

Clean construction
An approach to building that reduces environmental impact through recycling, low-emission equipment and sustainable materials. Often aligned with LEED goals.

Clean fill
Natural, uncontaminated materials like dirt, sand, gravel, and sometimes concrete or brick. Often used in grading or construction projects, clean fill must be free of debris, roots or chemicals to qualify for disposal at specialized facilities.

Clean load
A dumpster with a “clean load” is filled with one type of recyclable material — like concrete, asphalt, plastics or cardboard.

Cleanout
A general term for removing clutter or waste from a home, business or other space. Cleanouts are a top reason for renting a dumpster and can include everything from old clothes to furniture and trash.

Co-mingled recycling
A waste diversion method where multiple types of recyclables (e.g., cardboard, plastic, metal) are collected together in one container and sorted later at a recycling facility.

Commercial cleanout
The process of clearing debris or junk from office buildings, retail stores or other business properties. May involve cubicles, inventory, fixtures and more. Roll off dumpsters simplify the cleanup.

Composting
The process of decomposing organic materials like food scraps, yard waste and paper into nutrient-rich soil. Not all dumpsters allow compostable waste, but many municipalities offer curbside composting programs.

Concrete
A dense, heavy material that’s usually accepted in dumpsters designated for heavy debris, like a 10 yard container. If uncontaminated, you can recycle it as clean concrete.

Construction and demolition (C&D) debris
Waste generated from building, remodeling, or tearing down structures. Includes drywall, wood, roofing, siding, and flooring. This debris often requires special sorting or diversion for LEED projects.

Construction recycling
The sorting and reuse of debris generated during a construction or demolition project — including wood, drywall, concrete and metal. Helps reduce landfill use and may count toward LEED points.

Construction site cleanup
The final or ongoing removal of C&D debris from a jobsite. This includes drywall, wood, scrap metal, concrete and packaging materials.

Container
Another word for a dumpster. Refers to any type of waste collection bin, including roll off, front load or rear load styles.

Contaminated load
A dumpster that contains prohibited or mixed materials not allowed under its disposal guidelines. This can result in extra disposal fees or rejection at the landfill.

Cubic yard
A unit of measurement used to describe dumpster capacity. One cubic yard equals 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet. Roll off dumpsters commonly come in 10, 20, 30 or 40 cubic yard sizes.

Debris box
A regional term, common in California, for a roll off dumpster used to collect construction or renovation waste.

Deconstruction
The careful dismantling of a structure to preserve materials for reuse or recycling, as opposed to traditional demolition. Encouraged in green building practices.

Delivery window
The estimated time frame for when your dumpster will arrive. Your dumpster can arrive at any time on your delivery day. We plan our routes based on fuel efficiency, so our team often can't provide an exact arrival time or delivery window.

Demolition
The act of tearing down a structure or part of one — whether it’s a deck, shed or interior wall. Demolition generates heavy, sharp and bulky debris that must be disposed of safely in a dumpster.

Dig out fee
A charge that may apply if the dumpster is delivered to an unpaved or soft surface and sinks, requiring towing or digging to remove it. If your debris freezes together in cold temperatures, or your dumpster gets stuck in snow, it may also result in a dig out fee. You can avoid this by choosing a flat, paved spot for your bin, covering your dumpster and keeping debris dry in snowy weather and removing snow prior to pickup.

Disaster cleanup
The process of clearing away debris after a storm, flood, fire or other natural disaster. Dumpsters are essential for disposing of damaged materials, furniture, branches, drywall and insulation.

Disposal fee
A charge associated with extra processing of debris at a landfill or transfer station. This can cost $25 to $200 per item, and may apply to appliances, mattresses, box springs and more.

DIYer
A do-it-yourselfer — someone tackling home improvement projects without hiring a contractor. DIYers often rent dumpsters for renovations, cleanouts or landscaping jobs.

Driver access
Refers to the clear path a truck needs to safely deliver or pick up a dumpster. Obstructed access may result in a trip fee or missed pickup.

Drywall
Also known as gypsum board or sheetrock. Common in construction and remodeling waste, you can toss drywall in most roll off dumpsters.

Dumpster
A general term for large waste bins used for residential, commercial or construction debris collection. Includes roll off, front load and specialty containers.

Dumpster bag
A flexible, collapsible bag (e.g., Bagster®) used for light debris. Not a dumpster but often compared to small roll off containers. A dumpster is usually the better choice if you’re tossing bulky items, heavier materials, or generating more debris than a bag can hold.

Dumpster delivery / dumpster drop-off
The scheduled arrival of a dumpster to your specified location. Placement typically happens in a driveway, parking lot, construction site or on the street with proper permitting.

Dumpster enclosure
A fenced or walled structure used to surround permanent dumpsters (usually front load) for aesthetic or safety reasons, often in commercial settings.

Dumpster fee
An extra charge that applies when a rental goes beyond what’s included in the flat rate. Common examples include fees for overloading the dumpster, keeping it longer than the rental period, disposing of prohibited items or exceeding the weight limit. Dumpster fees are charged on a 30-day billing cycle but can take up to 120 days.

Dumpster permit
A permit required in some cities when keeping a dumpster in a public space, like a street or sidewalk. You can usually get a dumpster permit through your city, but in some cases your dumpster rental company will get it on your behalf.

Dumpster pickup
The scheduled removal of your filled dumpster. You can request a pickup online once your cleanup is complete.

Dumpster placement
The location where we deliver your dumpster — most commonly in your driveway, construction site or on the street. Proper placement ensures safe loading and avoids service delays.

Dumpster rental period
The length of time you can keep your dumpster that is included in your rate. Our typical rental period ranges from seven to 10 days, with extensions offered, depending on availability, for a flat daily rate.

Dumpster rental service
A business that provides dumpsters for short- or long-term use, delivering them to a specific location and picking them up once full. Dumpsters.com is a national provider of roll off dumpster rental service.

Electronic waste (E-waste)
Discarded electronics like computers, TVs and printers. These are often banned from landfill-bound dumpsters due to hazardous materials inside. Local e-waste collection programs are the best disposal method.

Empty-and-return service
When a full roll off dumpster is hauled away and replaced with an empty one. Often used for ongoing projects with a large volume of debris.

Encroachment permit
A type of public permit allowing temporary use of public property — such as sidewalks or streets — for dumpster placement. Required in some municipalities.

Estate cleanout
The process of clearing out a home after a death or when downsizing. Often involves large volumes of mixed waste, including furniture, keepsakes and household goods.

Eviction cleanout
The removal of belongings left behind after a tenant eviction. May include furniture, trash, clothing and appliances. Property managers and landlords frequently use dumpsters for this task.

Extension fee
A charge for keeping a dumpster beyond the original rental period. Typically billed as a flat daily rate.

Fill line
A clearly marked line inside a dumpster indicating how high you can load debris. Debris stacked above this line may result in a trip fee or wait fee due to unsafe transport conditions.

Flat rate
An initial all-inclusive price for a dumpster rental that covers delivery, pickup, a set rental period, disposal and a weight limit. Once weighed at the landfill, if your debris goes over the included weight or you toss prohibited items, you’ll pay a clearly explained, pro-rated fee. Our all-inclusive dumpster pricing helps you budget without surprise charges.

Foreclosure cleanout
Similar to eviction cleanouts, these involve clearing out abandoned properties taken over by banks or real estate investors. A dumpster rental on-site makes it easy to discard junk, furniture and construction debris.

Freon
Freon is a brand name commonly used to describe a group of refrigerants found in appliances like refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners. Because it contains chemicals that are harmful to the environment, appliances with Freon cannot be thrown in a dumpster. Many local sanitation departments offer bulk debris pickup for Freon-containing appliances, and some retailers will haul away your old unit when you buy a replacement.

Front load dumpster
Also known as a commercial dumpster or trash dumpster, this type of dumpster is commonly used for permanent commercial trash service. It’s emptied using a front-loading garbage truck.

Fuel surcharge
An additional fee that may apply to cover fuel costs, particularly in regions with higher transportation expenses or surging gas prices.

Furniture disposal
Includes large, bulky items like couches, dressers, tables and chairs. You can get rid of most furniture in a dumpster as part of a cleanout or remodel, but upholstered items are restricted in some areas due to landfill regulations.

Garage cleanout
The removal of clutter, storage bins, tools or broken appliances from a garage. A common weekend project that benefits from a 10 or 15 yard dumpster.

Green building materials
Products made from recycled, renewable or sustainable sources. Examples include reclaimed wood, recycled steel or low-VOC paint.

Green waste
Organic yard materials such as grass clippings, leaves, branches and shrubs. You can toss green waste in most dumpsters, but some municipalities have services for composting or recycling.

Hauler
The company responsible for delivering and picking up your dumpster. Dumpsters.com works with a national network of local haulers.

Hauling
The act of transporting a dumpster from one location to another — either for delivery, removal or empty-and-return service.

Hazardous waste
Dangerous materials that pose a threat to health or the environment, including paints, solvents, motor oil, pesticides and certain cleaning agents. These are strictly prohibited from dumpsters and require specialized disposal through a hazardous waste facility.

Heavy debris
Dense materials like concrete, asphalt, roof shingles, bricks and dirt. These items add significant weight to a dumpster and often require a dedicated container with specific weight limits, such as a 10 yard dumpster.

Hoarding cleanup
A large-scale cleanout involving the removal of excessive clutter, trash or belongings. These cleanups often require multiple dumpsters and careful planning.

Home office remodel
A renovation project focused on updating or converting space into a home office. May generate drywall, flooring, shelving and light construction waste.

Homeowners association (HOA)
A governing body in residential neighborhoods that may set rules on dumpster placement, size or rental duration. Always check HOA guidelines before renting a dumpster.

House flipping
Buying and renovating homes to resell for profit. Flippers typically use dumpsters for gutting interiors, replacing siding or clearing out old belongings left behind.

Household junk
Everyday items removed during decluttering or moving — think clothing, toys, dishes and small decor. You can toss most of this junk into a dumpster, as long as it’s not hazardous or electronic waste.

Inert waste
Non-reactive materials like sand, gravel, dirt and concrete. These items don’t decompose or chemically react and are typically disposed of in designated landfills or reused as clean fill.

Insulation materials
Common construction debris found in renovation projects. Fiberglass and foam board insulation may be accepted in dumpsters, but older insulation could contain hazardous materials like asbestos and must be handled separately.

Landfill
A disposal site where waste is buried. Most dumpsters are emptied at landfills or transfer stations, depending on the debris type and local infrastructure.

Landscaping debris
Includes soil, sod, mulch, brush and tree stumps. Some materials, like dirt or gravel, may qualify as clean fill, while others count as yard waste. Be sure to check local restrictions.

Late cancellation fee
A fee charged when a scheduled delivery or pickup is canceled without sufficient notice. You can cancel or reschedule your dumpster rental for free up until 3 p.m. the business day before delivery.

LEED certification
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design — a globally recognized green building certification. Projects pursuing LEED points often require waste tracking and recycling compliance.

Lid
The plastic or metal cover on a dumpster, typically found on front or rear load containers to reduce odors and prevent unauthorized dumping.

Loading door
A swinging door on one end of a roll off dumpster that allows for easier walk-in loading of bulky or heavy items.

Lockbar
A locking mechanism that secures the lids of front load dumpsters, commonly used to prevent illegal dumping or unauthorized use.

Material reuse
Salvaging building components like cabinets, doors or flooring to be reused on-site or donated. Reduces waste and disposal costs.

Mattress disposal
Mattresses and box springs may be accepted in dumpsters, but many cities and landfills charge extra or prohibit them entirely. In some states, you must recycle mattresses through designated programs.

Maximum weight limit
The legal weight threshold a dumpster can carry. For example, a roll off dumpster typically has a maximum weight limit of 10 tons (20,000 pounds) for transport safety.

Medical waste
Includes sharps, medications, bandages and biohazardous material. Never allowed in dumpsters. You must take medical waste to a certified medical waste disposal facility.

Metropolitan statistical area (MSA)
A geographic region used to define population and service areas. We structure dumpster rental service coverage and logistics by MSAs.

Minimum rental term
The shortest rental duration available for a dumpster, often ranging from seven to 10 days. Rentals are typically priced with this base period in mind.

Missed pickup
When a scheduled dumpster removal cannot be completed due to access issues, overloaded debris or placement problems. This may result in a trip fee.

Mixed waste
Also known as mixed loads. A combination of different material types in one dumpster — such as wood, cardboard and plastics. Many projects generate mixed waste, and you can toss most of it in a dumpster rental — but it's important to avoid adding prohibited items.

Moving cleanup
The process of decluttering before or after a move. Dumpsters are helpful for getting rid of broken furniture, unwanted decor and excess junk that won’t be packed.

Multi-family property maintenance
Ongoing repair or renovation work on apartments, condos or townhomes. Property managers may rent dumpsters for recurring waste from unit turnovers or upgrades.

Municipal solid waste (MSW)
Commonly known as mixed waste, trash or garbage. Typically collected by local municipalities and accepted in most roll off dumpsters. Mixed waste dumpsters have the widest range of uses, especially for residential debris. Mixed garbage dumpsters generally accept household junk, cardboard, clothing, furniture, appliances and home debris.

Overage fee
A fee applied when the weight of your debris exceeds the included tonnage in your rental. We’ll measure the extra weight and charge you a pro-rated, per-ton fee so you only pay for what you throw away and nothing more.

Overloading
Occurs when debris is stacked above the fill line or the dumpster is too heavy for safe transport. May result in service delays or additional fees.

Overloading fee
A charge that may apply if a dumpster is loaded beyond capacity — either too high or too heavy. Often results in a wait fee or trip fee. Depending on the amount of debris, we may also need to deliver another dumpster to get everything off your property safely. To avoid this situation, keep debris below your dumpster’s fill line and make sure there are no pieces sticking out the top or over the sides.

Paint disposal
Liquid paints, stains and solvents are considered hazardous and cannot go in a dumpster. You can typically toss small amounts of dried-out latex paint in a roll off container, depending on local rules.

Portable toilet
A temporary restroom often rented alongside dumpsters for jobsites or events. Dumpsters.com offers reliable portable sanitation services for industrial jobsites, residential construction projects and live events.

Prohibited items
Materials not allowed in a dumpster due to safety or environmental regulations. Common examples include tires, batteries, wet paint, asbestos and hazardous chemicals. Including these can result in extra fees.

Public right-of-way
Any public land (like a street or sidewalk) where a dumpster might be placed with a proper permit. Usage rules vary by city or county.

Quoted weight limit
The amount of debris weight included in your flat-rate price. Typical weight limits are between 1 and 5 tons, but our containers can safely hold up to 10 tons. If you’re not sure how much your debris weighs, use our weight calculators to estimate your waste tonnage ahead of time, or contact our team. Exceeding the weight limit may trigger overage charges.

Reclaimed wood
Previously used lumber that’s been recovered for reuse in new construction or remodeling. Popular in green building and design.

Recycling center
A facility where recyclable materials are processed instead of sent to the landfill. Some dumpster contents (like cardboard, metal or concrete) may be diverted here if properly separated.

Remodeling project
Any renovation that involves removing old materials and installing new ones — such as kitchens, bathrooms or basements. Remodeling generates a steady flow of C&D debris best disposed of in a roll off dumpster.

Renovation
A broader term for upgrading, restoring or improving parts of a building. Like remodeling, it includes demolition and installation, generating debris like wood, drywall, tile and cabinets.

Rental period
The time included in your dumpster rental. Our standard rental window is seven to 10 days, with extension available, depending on availability, for a flat daily rate.

Restricted materials
Items that are limited by local ordinances or landfill rules. These may be allowed under certain conditions or require extra fees — examples include mattresses, appliances with Freon or treated wood.

Retail store renovation
The demolition and remodel of commercial storefronts, including flooring, display fixtures, walls and signage. Contractors often use 20 or 30 yard dumpsters depending on store size.

Right-of-way permit
Authorization from your city or county allowing a dumpster to be placed in a public space, such as a street, sidewalk or alley.

Roll off dumpster
A large, open-top waste container that a roll off truck delivers and picks up. Also known as an open top dumpster or roll away bin. Commonly used for construction, demolition, cleanouts and remodeling.

Roll off truck
A heavy-duty truck equipped with a hydraulic system to deliver, remove or swap out roll off dumpsters.

Roofing dumpster
Includes asphalt shingles, roofing felt, nails and flashing. Heavier than it looks, roofing waste adds up quickly and typically requires a 10 yard container to stay within weight limits.

Roofing job
A common reason for renting a dumpster — especially for asphalt shingle tear-offs. Roofing jobs create dense debris that must be kept below weight limits, making container size critical.

Salvageable materials
Items that can be removed from a project site and reused or resold instead of being landfilled — like metal, fixtures or hardwood flooring.

Scheduled pickup
The planned removal of your dumpster at the end of your rental period. You can schedule your dumpster rental pickup online when you’re finished loading.

Scrap metal
Recyclable metals like copper, aluminum, steel and iron. Most roll off dumpsters accept scrap metal, though it may be better to separate and sell high-value metals at a scrap yard.

Service area
The geographic region where dumpster delivery and pickup is available. Dumpsters.com operates across most of the U.S. via our network of local haulers.

Service Dashboard
An online portal where customers can change their dumpster delivery date, request a pickup or schedule empty-and-return service. Provided by Dumpsters.com for added convenience.

Shingles
Typically refers to asphalt roofing shingles — a dense material that often requires a dedicated 10 yard container due to its weight. Some regions recycle shingles into road base or asphalt mix.

Source separation
Sorting recyclable materials at the jobsite rather than at a facility. Commonly used to meet city diversion rules or project-specific sustainability goals.

Spring cleaning
The seasonal tradition of deep-cleaning a home. For larger cleanouts that go beyond a few bags of trash, a small dumpster makes disposal quick and stress-free.

Storage containers
Large, weatherproof boxes used to store belongings during a move or renovation. We’re proud to offer storage container rentals as part of our nationwide service.

Storm cleanup
Removing tree limbs, roofing, siding, soaked drywall and damaged furniture after bad weather. A roll off dumpster on-site helps homeowners and contractors clear debris fast to begin repairs.

Tarp
A heavy-duty covering used to secure debris in a roll off dumpster during transport. You can also use a tarp while the dumpster is on-site to shield it from bad weather or prevent illegal dumping. You must remove the tarp prior to pickup, or the driver may take it to the landfill along with the dumpster.

Temporary fencing
Used to secure jobsites during construction or cleanup. Often rented alongside dumpsters, especially for demolition projects or municipal work zones.

Tipping fee
A tipping fee is the cost a landfill or disposal facility charges when waste is dropped off, or “tipped” out of a truck. These fees are usually calculated by the ton and cover the expenses of operating the facility, including waste management, environmental protections and regulatory compliance. At Dumpsters.com, tipping fees are included in your initial flat-rate quote, so you don’t have to worry about surprise charges later on.

Tire disposal
Tires are banned from most landfills and dumpsters due to their potential to trap methane and create environmental hazards. You must take them to an authorized recycling facility.

Ton
A unit of weight equal to 2,000 pounds. Dumpsters are typically priced with a set tonnage included (e.g., 2 tons) and additional charges apply per ton for excess weight.

Tow fee
A charge that applies when a dumpster becomes stuck (e.g., in mud, snow or grass) and must be towed out before removal. Avoid this by keeping your dumpster shoveled out in snowy and icy conditions and by choosing a solid, flat surface for delivery. We’ll work with you to find a solid delivery site so you avoid a tow fee at pickup.

Transfer station
A temporary holding facility where dumpsters are emptied before waste is taken to a landfill or recycling center. Used to streamline hauling in high-traffic areas.

Transparent pricing
Clear, upfront pricing used by Dumpsters.com that outlines what’s included in your dumpster rental — such as delivery, pickup, rental period and weight limit — with no hidden fees.

Trip fee
A fee charged when a driver is dispatched but can’t complete service due to access issues, blocked placement, overloading or other preventable obstacles. If our driver arrives and cannot drop off or pick up your bin, we charge a fee to cover the cost of fuel and compensate for the driver’s time. This applies if there are obstacles such as vehicles blocking the delivery site or there’s too much debris or weight in the dumpster.

Wait fee
A fee applied when the driver has to wait on-site for the dumpster to be moved, unloaded, or otherwise made ready for pickup. This applies if our truck cannot reach the delivery site or you need more time to load or rearrange debris. The wait fee varies depending on how long the driver is present.

Waste audit
An analysis of the types and volumes of waste generated on a jobsite. Often required for LEED tracking or to meet diversion targets.

Waste diversion rate
The percentage of debris from a project that is recycled or reused instead of being sent to a landfill. Higher rates support sustainability goals and green certifications.

Waste-to-energy
A process where non-recyclable waste is converted into usable energy through combustion or other methods. Considered a landfill alternative in some cities.

Weight limit
The total debris weight included in your dumpster rental. Exceeding the weight limit may result in overage fees or rejected pickups depending on safety thresholds. Since landfills charge disposal costs by the ton, we provide weight limits upfront so you’ll know your costs before your bin reaches the landfill scale.

White goods
Large household appliances like refrigerators, ovens, washers and dryers. Some are accepted in dumpsters, but others may require Freon removal or carry additional fees.

Worksite
A location where construction, remodeling or cleanout activity is taking place. Dumpsters are typically placed on or near the worksite for convenient debris disposal.

Yard waste
A broad category of outdoor organic materials including grass clippings, branches, leaves and brush. Often accepted in dumpsters, but some areas require separation from other waste types for composting or recycling.

Zero waste
A philosophy or goal of sending no waste to landfills or incinerators by reusing, recycling or composting all materials.