Five sizes, one honest way to pick the right one. Here's how to size it without guessing.
| Size | Dimensions (L×W×H) | Holds About | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Yard | 12' × 8' × 3.5' | 4 pickup truck loads | Garage cleanouts, single-room remodels, small deck removal |
| 15 Yard | 14' × 8' × 4.5' | 6 pickup truck loads | Medium cleanouts, flooring or bathroom remodels |
| 20 Yard | 16' × 8' × 5' | 8 pickup truck loads | Kitchen remodels, roofing jobs up to 20 squares |
| 30 Yard | 22' × 7.5' × 6' | 12 pickup truck loads | New construction, additions, large renovations |
| 40 Yard | 22' × 7.5' × 8' | 16 pickup truck loads | Whole-house cleanouts, commercial demolition |
Dimensions are approximate and can vary slightly by container. Call (270) 770-0012 and describe your project — we'll size it right the first time.
The most common sizing mistake is guessing low. Here's what real Bowling Green jobs looked like at each size.
A 10 yard dumpster (about 4 pickup truck loads) is usually enough for a single-room cleanout, garage purge, or small deck removal. This is the size we deliver most often for straightforward residential jobs around town.
A 15–20 yard container handles cabinets, flooring, drywall, and fixtures from a standard kitchen or bathroom remodel. Older homes near downtown Bowling Green with plaster or extra layers of flooring tend to run heavier, so mention the home's age when you call.
Shingles are dense. A 20 yard covers most single-story roofs up to about 20 squares; go 30 yard for anything larger, two-story, or a tear-off with multiple layers of old shingles underneath.
Framing scrap, packaging, and mixed construction debris fill fast — most builders working lots in Touissant Springs and Cogan's Crossing run 30 yard containers for the length of the framing and drywall phase.
Downed trees, damaged siding, and fencing after severe weather usually call for a 20–30 yard, depending on how much of the property was affected. We saw this a lot after the December 2021 tornado around Creekwood, where a single property sometimes needed two loads.
Clearing an entire house of furniture, appliances, and accumulated belongings typically needs a 30–40 yard container. We size these up based on square footage and how many years of belongings are involved — a quick phone conversation gets it right.
Every size up to a 40 yard fits on a standard residential driveway — the footprint tops out around 22 feet long and 7.5 feet wide, similar to a single-car garage space. Where it gets trickier is older neighborhoods near downtown Bowling Green with narrower driveways, or HOA communities like some sections of Cogan's Crossing with tighter setback rules. If your driveway is short, curved, or shared with a neighbor, just mention it when you call — we'll figure out the best drop angle before the truck ever shows up, instead of finding out the hard way.
If there's no room on the driveway at all, placing the container on the street is an option, but the City of Bowling Green Public Works Department requires a right-of-way permit for that ($75, filed at least 24 hours ahead). We handle that paperwork for customers who need it — one less thing to chase down yourself.
A 10 yard dumpster handles most single-car garage cleanouts, holding roughly 4 pickup truck loads of furniture, boxes, and general household junk. If the garage is packed floor to ceiling or you're clearing a two-car garage, size up to a 15 yard so you're not stuck ordering a second container.
A 20 yard dumpster covers most single-story roofs up to about 20 squares of shingles. For a two-story house, a roof with multiple layers of old shingles, or anything over 20 squares, go with a 30 yard — shingles are dense and the weight adds up faster than the volume suggests.
Yes, most residential driveways in Bowling Green handle a 30 or 40 yard container without an issue — they're about 22 feet long and 7.5 feet wide, similar footprint to a single-car garage space. Tight driveways, HOA neighborhoods with narrow lots, or shared driveways are worth mentioning when you call so we can plan the drop-off angle.
You'll either need a second container delivered, which means a second delivery charge, or you'll be stuck loose-piling debris next to a full dumpster, which most cities and HOAs don't allow. It's almost always cheaper to size up one level than to guess low and need a second trip.
Yes, larger containers cost more, but not by a huge jump between sizes — going from a 10 yard to a 20 yard typically adds around $100 to the quote, which is usually less than paying for two separate 10 yard deliveries. If you're between two sizes, sizing up is often the better value.
Think in pickup truck loads — a 10 yard holds about 4, a 20 yard about 8, a 30 yard about 12. Walk through what you're clearing and estimate how many truck loads it would take. When you're between two sizes, we always recommend rounding up; an extra day's rental costs far less than a second delivery.
Curious which size gets rented most? See our most common dumpster size guide. More questions about pricing, permits, or what's allowed? See our full FAQ page.
Describe what you're clearing out and we'll tell you honestly which size to book — no upselling, no guessing.
Rather put it in writing? Email bgdumpsters@gmail.com and we'll follow up.
