Are you taking on a renovation project or cleaning house? These projects will generate waste, meaning you will need to figure out the best disposal option for you. Even minor projects can result in thousands of pounds of debris. There are several ways to handle waste disposal: rent a dumpster, or haul the waste yourself. Each option has its own merits for particular situations, but you’ll want to decide ahead of time to plan accordingly for your project needs.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Deciding on Waste Disposal Method
To help evaluate which method is best for you, consider the following questions:
- How close is the nearest disposal facility that allows the type of waste you’re disposing?
If you live less than 10 miles away from a landfill, it may make sense to consider hauling the waste yourself. If you live farther from a landfill, renting a dumpster may be a more viable option and will allow you to save some time, gas, and wear-and-tear on your vehicle.
- Is your vehicle large enough to handle the load?
Carefully consider how much weight you have in a load. If your vehicle isn’t large enough to fit everything in one trip, you will need to take multiple trips to properly dispose of everything.
- What are the waste transport and disposal laws in the city and state?
Local laws and restrictions can have an impact on your decision to haul or rent.
- How much waste are you disposing of?
Depending on how much waste you dispose of affects how many trips you’ll need to take to the dump or how large of a dumpster you’ll need to rent which plays into the cost of waste disposal.
- How much time do you have to do this project?
Consider the time you can a lot toward this project. If you’re in a bind for time, hauling waste yourself will consume a good amount of your time and limit how long you can devote yourself to the project.
- What is your budget?
If you’re looking to save money, it is important to think of all of the factors above in addition to the value of your own time. The chart below is using a 20- yard dumpster for the calculations. Remember, these calculations will vary depending on your location, type of project, and a variety of other factors.
| Cost Factor | Renting Dumpster | Hauling Yourself |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel (30 miles roundtrip) | None | $8.67 (average for gas per mile is $0.289 for a large vehicle) |
| Round Trips Required | None | $26.01 (for 3 additional trips) |
| Dump Fees | None | $51/ton (national average) |
| Overage Fees | $50/ton | None |
| Late Fees | $15/day | None |
| Transport/Unloading Time | None | $240 (for 4 trips total assuming your time is worth $60/hour) |
| Vehicle Wear & Tear | No | Yes |
| Totals: | $375 (national average cost for a 20-yard dumpster rental) | $325.68 |
Bonus tip: If you are looking to come up with a more individualized cost analysis to come up with totals for hauling waste yourself, check out the AAA site for updated fuel prices.
Although the chart above shows that dumpster rental may ultimately be more expensive, that isn’t to say that hauling waste yourself is the better option. While you save around $100 by hauling yourself, you sacrifice your own time which is the most valuable resource of all. Anything that helps to save you time and effort is worth considering.
Looking into Dumpster Rental in Mobile, Alabama?
If you’re looking to schedule a residential or commercial roll off dumpster rental to help with your renovation or cleanup efforts in the Mobile, Alabama, look no further. Give Circle J Roll Offs a call at (215) 661-0001 or fill out our online form and we’ll get in touch with you.
