What to know before you rent a construction waste container

Find the information you need quickly: 

• What is a construction waste container?
• What are the most common uses?
• What size container should I choose?
• What waste is accepted or refused?
• What are the mistakes to avoid?
• Is a municipal permit necessary?
• How to plan my budget
• Why choose Groupe Bellemare?

You need a waste container for your construction, renovation or demolition work? There are many options available to you; but how do you find the right container to meet your needs? This is what we will help you carry out! 

In this article, you’ll learn how to ask the right questions before renting a container, no matter the type of work. Get rid of your construction waste in a safe and ecological way! 

What is a construction waster container?

This is a large open-top container that is used for the collection and disposal of construction debris. It is a type of dumpster, which means that it can be easily transported to and from any location using a truck or trailer.

These containers are generally rented by companies, contractors or individuals to remove various materials from construction sites. They are used on both commercial and residential sites.

Construction waste containers hold tons of materials, ranging from concrete, to wood chips, to metals and more. They allow workers to quickly and easily dispose of excess materials without having to worry about manually hauling them away. Eventually, the materials are taken to a sorting facility and many are recycled. 

Most frequent containers uses

Construction Work

Keep your jobsite clean, no matter how many projects you’re working on! Whether it’s roofing, landscaping, demolition or heavy debris removal, you’ll need containers. These can hold a variety of construction debris such as broken windows, torn floorboards and debris from retaining walls all in one place.

Commercial Waste Collection 

These containers are typically located at commercial sites such as retail stores, restaurants, gas stations and shopping mall parking lots. They often meet recurring (e.g. weekly or monthly) material collection needs. 

Residential Work 

Install a construction waste container in your driveway for construction cleanup. Home renovation projects, moving and natural disaster cleanup are the most common uses of this category. 

What size container should you choose?

What size should the container be? This is one of the first questions you should ask yourself. When assessing your needs, provide as much detail as possible about the work you are doing. For example, the rooms in your home that you are renovating and the equipment in them can be a good indicator of the size of container you need. The more details you provide about your work, the easier it will be to estimate the weight and volume of your construction waste.

Things to Consider When Choosing the Size of Your Container

It is important to plan this step carefully, as you need to ensure that the container you rent is not too big or too small. If it’s too big, you’ll pay too much for what you need, and if it’s too small, you’ll have to rent a second container in the middle of the job. When choosing a container, you not only need to consider the volume of your debris, but also the weight! If you are dealing with very heavy debris, it may be wise to choose a larger size.

In addition, it is important to evaluate the space available where you will place the container (in your driveway, on the street, in your yard, etc.) so as not to rent a container that is too big! Also determine whether you will load the container by opening its door or dump the debris from above. The first scenario will require additional space, as the hinged door of the container will need to be fully open.

Comparison of container sizes and types

At Groupe Bellemare, we offer containers suited for all types of projects, with sizes ranging from 12 to 40 yards. For small residential jobs, a 12-yard container is often sufficient, while larger construction or demolition projects may require a 40-yard model. Our mobile stockrooms also provide a practical and secure solution for temporary material storage. Make the right choice based on the size and scope of your project!

Here are the container formats offered by Groupe Bellemare:

12-yard container - 12′ (length) x 8′ (width) x 4′ (height)

• Between 5 and 7 truck boxes
• +/- 70 garbage bags
• 3 tons

These dumpsters are used for residential or commercial work. The 12-yard container is perfect for recovering debris after interior renovations like a kitchen or bathroom. It’s also perfect for containing all the trash after a major cleanup in your home, yard and garage or after a landscaping project.

25-yard container - 20′ (length) x 8′ (width) x 4′ (height)

Capacity

• Between 6 and 8 truck boxes
• +/- 120 garbage bags
• 4 tons

The 25-yard debris container is ideal for recycling debris after large residential jobs. 

It is extremely popular for cleaning large residential projects such as basement renovations, complete bathroom renovations and window replacements due to its open roof and large back door. You can even walk through the first few loads of waste, allowing you to make maximum use of its debris disposal space. Plus, it fits into most aisles and leaves enough room to work efficiently.

40-yard container - 20′ (length) x 8′ (width) x 7′ (height)

Capacity

• Between 12 and 14 truck boxes
• +/- 225 garbage bags
• 5 tons

These containers are the largest offered, which is why they are a favourite of commercial construction sites.

These containers can also be used for major residential work, such as new construction or total renovation of a home. The 40 cubic yards are more than enough to recover massive waste such as walls, foundations, shingles, cement, asphalt, plumbing, windows, etc. 

What can I put or not in my construction debris container?

Each year, our sorting center receives thousands of tons of material through the construction debris containers. Of this construction waste, over 75% is returned to the market as an environmentally friendly solution. By renting a container from Groupe Bellemare, you can dispose of your construction waste directly on site in Trois-Rivières.

We have a strict list of accepted or rejected products to allow for sound and efficient recycling. 

Accepted materials in construction waste containers

• Brick
• All metals
• Gypsum
• Wood
• Shingles
• Asphalt
• Concrete
• Glass
• Plastic

Rejected materials at the sorting center

• Household garbage
• Asbestos
• Chemicals
• Explosives
• Household hazardous waste
• Tires
• Animal carcasses
• Radioactive waste
• Drugs, syringes and biomedical waste
• Upholstery (sofas, chairs, mattresses, etc.)

Sorting and recycling process

Groupe Bellemare takes responsible waste management seriously. At our Recyc-Québec recognized sorting center, each load is carefully sorted to maximize material recovery and minimize landfill waste. This process ensures that every project is carried out in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.

Mistake to avoid: Overloading the container

If your plan is to put all your debris in the smallest container possible to save money, it could have the opposite effect! You can’t overfill the dumpster, as the debris must be level with the height of the container. Otherwise, the container becomes dangerous to transport on the road (debris could fall out!). This means you will have to rearrange your container, rent a new one, make more than one trip to the recycling center or extend your rental agreement!

The choice of the container size is a process based mainly on the approximation. For the best quote, contact our experts!

Do I need a municipal permit?

Whether or not you need a permit to rent a bin depends on several factors. For example, if you are considering placing the dumpster in your driveway or yard, you will not need one. However, if you plan to place it near a public alley, on the street or on the sidewalk, you will need a permit from the municipality where you live.

No matter if you are a contractor or an individual, you will still need a permit to legally install the container on the street. In addition, the length of time you can place the container on public property will also vary from city to city. Ask for your authorization in advance so that there are no unpleasant surprises!

How much does it cost to rent a construction debris container?

The renting cost of a dumpster varies according to your location, the size of the dumpster, the type and amount of waste you put in it, and the rental period.

The most important thing is to optimize costs through good planning and renting the right container for your job. Some costs are often overlooked. 

Find out the price of these items to organize your budget: 

The price of the permit (if applicable)

Does the company charge extra to dispose of the waste itself? Does the company allow you to do it yourself for free?

What are the company’s penalty fees? For example, if you rent the container for a longer period of time than expected or if you throw away waste that was rejected at the sorting center. 

Why Choose Groupe Bellemare?

By choosing Groupe Bellemare, you benefit from professional, around-the-clock service. We are committed to fast delivery, flexible rental options, and knowledgeable staff.
With our ongoing commitment to the environment, we prioritize the recovery of recyclable materials and help reduce the ecological footprint of your projects.

Flexible Solutions for All Types of Worksites

Whether your project is residential, commercial, or industrial, we offer tailored solutions. Groupe Bellemare containers are designed to accommodate a wide variety of materials, including demolition, renovation, and construction debris. Our secure options help you work with peace of mind, knowing your site is organized and optimized for your needs.

Competitive Pricing and Personalized Quotes

We offer competitive rates on all our rental options. For an accurate cost estimate based on your needs, request a personalized quote through our website. Our team is ready to guide you toward the best solution—at the best price—to meet your expectations.

The choice is yours!

Now that you know how to plan your dumpster rental and what questions to ask, you can get going!

Remember, good planning is the best way to avoid unexpected costs and ensure a green process from start to finish.

If you have any questions or wish to rent a container, contact us right away!