10 yd
12 × 8 × 3.5 ft
3–4 truck loads
15 yd
14 × 8 × 4 ft
5–6 truck loads
20 yd
22 × 8 × 4.5 ft
7–8 truck loads
30 yd
22 × 8 × 6 ft
10–12 truck loads
In Canada, residential roll-off dumpster sizes are listed as 10, 15, 20, and 30 yard. “Yard” means cubic yards of volume — how much fits inside, not the length of your driveway. This guide breaks down every size with real dimensions, what fits inside, and exactly which one your project needs.
Dumpster Sizes at a Glance
All four residential sizes — dimensions, capacity, best use
10 yard
Small projects & heavy debris
12 ft × 8 ft × 3.5 ft- Small bathroom or bedroom
- 1-car garage cleanout
- Concrete, brick, soil
- Tight urban driveways
15 yard
Most popular for homeowners
14 ft × 8 ft × 4 ft- Medium kitchen or bath reno
- 2-car garage cleanout
- Basement or attic
- 200–400 sq ft deck removal
20 yard
Serious renovations
22 ft × 8 ft × 4.5 ft- Large kitchen or multi-bath
- Full main-floor reno
- Roofing up to 2,500 sq ft
- Whole-house flooring
30 yard
Major renos & construction
22 ft × 8 ft × 6 ft- Full gut renovations
- Whole-house cleanouts
- New construction debris
- Estate cleanouts
Driveway tip: Width is always around 8 ft regardless of size. What changes is length. A 10 or 15 yard fits most standard urban driveways. A 20 or 30 yard needs at least 22 ft of clear space — measure before you book.
Full Dumpster Size Comparison
| Size | Dimensions (L × W × H) | Capacity | Weight included | Best for |
|---|
| 10 yard | 12′ × 8′ × 3.5′ | 3–4 truck loads | 1–2 tonnes | Small cleanouts, heavy materials |
| 15 yard | 14′ × 8′ × 4′ | 5–6 truck loads | 2–3 tonnes | 1-room renos, garage, attic |
| 20 yard | 22′ × 8′ × 4.5′ | 7–8 truck loads | 2–4 tonnes | Multi-room, roofing, full floor |
| 30 yard | 22′ × 8′ × 6′ | 10–12 truck loads | 3–5 tonnes | Full gut, whole-house, new builds |
Dimensions vary slightly by provider. Weight limits affect pricing — ask about overage fees before booking.
Which Dumpster Size Do I Need?
Answer three questions and you’ll know the right size.
1
What type of project?
- Cleanout (junk, furniture, stored items) — volume is your main limit
- Renovation (flooring, drywall, cabinets) — both volume and weight matter
- Heavy debris (concrete, brick, soil, shingles) — weight limit is your main constraint, often capped at 10 yard
2
Estimate your debris volume
- 1 packed pickup truck ≈ 2–3 cubic yards
- Small bedroom cleanout ≈ 2–4 yards → 10 yard
- Medium kitchen demo ≈ 7–10 yards → 15–20 yard
- 2-car garage ≈ 8–12 yards → 20 yard
- Whole-house cleanout ≈ 15–25+ yards → 20–30 yard
3
When in doubt, go one size up
The price difference between sizes is almost always smaller than the cost of a second delivery. If you’re stuck between two sizes, book the larger one.
Quick reference by project
Small bathroom or bedroom cleanout
10 yard
1-car garage or attic cleanout
10–15 yard
Full bathroom gut or small kitchen reno
10–15 yard
Medium kitchen remodel
15–20 yard
2-car garage or large basement
15–20 yard
Deck or shed demolition (200–400 sq ft)
10–15 yard
Roofing project up to 2,500 sq ft
20 yard
Full main-floor renovation
20–30 yard
Whole-house cleanout (bungalow)
20 yard
Whole-house cleanout (two-storey)
30 yard
New construction or full gut reno
30 yard
Concrete, brick, or soil only
10 yard
Need a full walkthrough? See our dumpster sizing decision guide.
How Debris Type Changes Everything
Two projects can use the same dumpster size and hit completely different limits. One runs out of space. The other hits the weight limit while still looking half empty. The debris type is the reason.
Light & bulky — fills by volume
- Furniture, mattresses, couches
- Cardboard boxes and packaging
- Old cabinets and shelving
- Plastic, household junk
- Brush, branches, yard waste
Dense & heavy — hits weight limit fast
- Concrete, asphalt, brick
- Roofing shingles (multiple layers)
- Ceramic tile and old mortar
- Soil and sod
- Plaster, lath from older homes
Heavy debris rule in Canada: Most haulers cap concrete, brick, and soil to a 10 yard bin regardless of project size. If you’re breaking up a patio or driveway, plan for a dedicated small bin — possibly multiple hauls — rather than mixing it into a larger container.
Watch out for “sneaky heavy” items: ceramic tile with old mortar, plaster walls in pre-1980s Ontario homes, wet carpet and underlay, and waterlogged wood. These look manageable but add tonnes fast. When you know these are in the mix, bump your estimate up by at least one size.
How to Load a Dumpster Properly
Proper loading means more fits, weight distributes safely, and you avoid overage fees.
1
Open the swing door first. Walk heavy, bulky items in from the back. Don’t toss them over the side — you’ll waste space and risk uneven weight distribution.
2
Fill front to back, bottom to top. Lay flat items (doors, panels, boards) flat. Alternate with boxes and loose debris to eliminate air pockets.
3
Break down everything you can. Flatten cardboard, disassemble furniture, cut lumber if possible. Items that nest together take a fraction of the space.
4
Heaviest items on the bottom, spread evenly. Avoid piling heavy material at one end — this makes the bin harder to lift and creates transport safety issues.
5
Never load above the fill line. Overfilled bins can’t be legally transported. If you’re close to the top, call for a pickup or request a swap.
What to Have Ready Before You Call
A two-minute conversation with the right information saves you from ordering the wrong size or getting surprised on pickup day.
- Project type: cleanout, renovation, demolition, or mix
- Number of rooms or approximate square footage
- Material types: furniture, drywall, roofing, concrete, etc.
- Driveway dimensions: width and usable length
- Access notes: gate, slope, narrow lane, overhead wires
- Photos of the placement area (send by text or email)
Ask your provider: how much weight is included in the base price, what are the overage fees per tonne, and are there any restrictions on the materials you’re disposing of.
You can also review
City of Toronto disposal guidelines
before your project starts.
Planning Your Rental From Start to Finish
1–2 weeks before project starts
Book your bin
2–3 days before delivery
Confirm placement + access
Day before demolition
Delivery day
During rental (3–7 days typical)
Load as project progresses
When heavy phase is done
Schedule pickup
If project runs long
Call to extend early
Multi-phase projects: For larger renos, plan a separate bin for demo phase and a different bin for the build and cleanup phase. Mixing phases in one bin often means paying for a swap anyway — plan it upfront and you’ll spend less overall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the standard dumpster sizes in Canada?
The standard residential sizes in Canada are 10, 15, 20, and 30 cubic yards. The 10 yard measures roughly 12×8×3.5 ft, the 15 yard is 14×8×4 ft, the 20 yard is 22×8×4.5 ft, and the 30 yard is 22×8×6 ft. Some providers also offer 12 yard and 40 yard options.
What does “yard” mean in dumpster sizes?
“Yard” means cubic yards — a measure of volume, not length. One cubic yard is a cube 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft. A 10 yard dumpster holds 10 cubic yards of material, which equals roughly 3 to 4 packed pickup truck loads.
How do I choose the right dumpster size?
Start with your project type and debris volume. Small cleanouts and single-room renos usually fit in a 10 or 15 yard. Multi-room renos and large basement cleanouts typically need a 20 yard. Whole-house cleanouts and new construction call for a 30 yard. When in doubt between two sizes, go one size up — a second delivery costs more than upgrading upfront.
Why does debris type matter as much as volume?
Because pricing is tied to both volume and weight. Light bulky items like furniture fill the bin visually before hitting weight limits. Dense materials like concrete, brick, and tile hit the weight limit while the bin still looks half empty — and overweight bins get charged extra tonnage fees. Most Canadian haulers also restrict heavy materials like concrete and soil to 10 yard bins only, regardless of project size.
Will a 20 yard dumpster fit in my driveway?
A 20 yard bin is 22 ft long and 8 ft wide. Most standard Canadian suburban driveways can accommodate it, but measure first. You also need enough clearance for the truck to back in and tilt the container on delivery. For tight urban driveways or properties with gates or overhead obstacles, a 10 or 15 yard is usually a safer fit.
What size dumpster do I need for a roof replacement?
For a single-layer asphalt shingle roof up to about 2,000 sq ft, a 20 yard bin is typically sufficient. Larger roofs, or roofs with multiple shingle layers, may require more capacity or multiple hauls. Roofing shingles are heavy — always confirm weight limits with your provider before booking.
Still Not Sure What Size You Need?
Send us a few photos of your project or driveway and we’ll recommend the right dumpster size for your renovation, cleanout, or demolition job.
Contact Cortale Haulage
