When it comes to cleaning up during/after a demolition or renovation project, there are two main choices. Either you can rent a roll-off dumpster or you can purchase a bagster. Dumpsters can be rented from companies such as Accurate Recycling and are made of heavy, sturdy metal. Bagsters, on the other hand, are smaller, lighter weight, canvas versions of dumpsters. They can be bought through third party retailers, such as Amazon, and are picked up and disposed of by Waste Management once your project is complete. There are many variables which will need to be considered before you make your choice.
Variables to Consider
The size of a dumpster or bagster is something which may not immediately seem important. After all, dumpsters are large, so is there really any reason to worry about sizes? Yes! Not all dumpsters are the same size, and which you choose will heavily depend on how much waste you have to dispose of and how much space you have. Size is based on both holding capacity and weight limit.
Where the dumpster or bagster will be placed is often overlooked by those renting or buying them. As mentioned, these are large objects which need plenty of room. And, they also need to be placed in a location which is easily accessible for pickup once your project is finished. For this reason, they are both typically placed in driveways or on the street (for which you may need a permit), though other options may also be available.
The cost of the dumpster or bagster is probably the most important variable to consider for most people. Price is generally broken down into two main segments: the delivery and pickup of the unit, and the cost per cubic yard.
Bagster
Bagsters only come in one size with dimensions of 8’ x 4’ x 2’6”. They can hold 3 cubic yards of debris up to 3,300 lbs. While this may sound like plenty, you should keep in mind that demolition and renovation projects often generate more waste than expected. However, because of their small size and lightweight, they can generally be placed anywhere the Waste Management crane can get to them. Still, the most common placements are in the driveway or front yard (it will kill your grass wherever it is placed).
Bagster prices can vary depending on the retailer they are bought from and your location (for the pickup). For a bagster you’re looking at an upfront price associated with the purchase of the unit, and then another price for the pickup once you’re done with it. That total price is then divided by the number of cubic yards the bagster holds (3), to get your price per cubic yard — this will be important later
Roll-Off Dumpster
Unlike bagsters, roll-off dumpsters come in a variety of sizes, including 10, 15, 20, 30, and 40 cubic yards. Since 10 cubic yards is the smallest size, that’s going to be the one used for this comparison to the bagster. The dimensions for a dumpster of this size are 11’ x 8’ x 3’6” and they can hold up to 6,000 lbs. Dumpsters are most commonly placed on the driveway or street out front, but as previously mentioned, a permit is likely necessary for street placement. These permits can be obtained through your local township.
A dumpster of this size costs around the same price as the bagster. However, with 10 cubic yards worth of space, the price per cubic yard is over 50% lower compared to the bagster. Additionally, instead of paying an upfront cost and pickup fee, with a dumpster you pay for a rental period which typically lasts for one to two weeks.
The Verdict
Bagsters have a lower cost per unit (compared to the larger dumpsters) which is their main draw for consumers. They also technically have more versatility in where they can be placed, but they are still generally placed in the same spot as dumpsters. On the other hand, the smallest roll-off dumpster holds more than three times the debris that a bagster does, and almost double the weight. Additionally, it has a lower cost per cubic yard.
So with these points in mind, we’d have to say that roll-off dumpsters are the preferred choice for the majority of renovation and demolition projects. The simple fact is that bagsters generally fill up too quickly, which voids their primary benefit of having a lower cost per unit. When your bagster fills up and you need to purchase a second one, you’re now over the cost a single dumpster would have been — and the dumpster still has room to spare. Two bagsters cost more than one dumpster, but hold less material.
It all comes down to the fact that 3 cubic yards is less space than it seems. A standard couch is about 2 cubic yards for reference — so if you’re disposing of one of those, there goes most of your bagster space. It’s always better to have more space than you need than not enough.
Conclusion
However much dumpster space you think you need, you probably need more than that. Renovations and demolitions are full of surprises, one of which being the amount of waste they generate. Roll-off dumpsters provide much more space than bagsters at a fraction of the cost per cubic yard. So while a bagster may be good for landscaping debris, any larger renovations will likely require a full-sized dumpster.
Accurate Recycling Roll-Off Dumpster Rentals
Roll-off dumpsters provide enough space to accommodate waste from any renovation or demolition project. Contact Accurate Recycling today for more information on our rental periods, dumpster sizes, and prices.