Guide
Dumpster Weight Limits & Extra Charges
Included weight is on your address quote.
Last updated October 25, 2026
Quick answer
Your quote shows the included weight and the extra-ton rate. You pay that rate only for weight above the allowance. Dirt and concrete use a 10-yard roll-off.
Included weight
On your address quote
Dirt or concrete
10-yard roll-off
Heavy deposit
$350 refundable
Example only
2 tons vs 2.5 tons
On this page
What’s the difference between dumpster size and weight?
Size is how much space the container holds.
Weight is how heavy the debris is.
Furniture and cardboard can fill a dumpster without weighing much.
Concrete, dirt, and roofing shingles can reach the weight limit before the dumpster is full.
How much does dumpster debris weigh?
A square is about 100 square feet.
Roofing weight is squares times layers times pounds per square, divided by 2,000.
The average roof choice uses 20 squares, so one layer of 3-tab asphalt is 2.3 tons.
That 2.3-ton figure is this 20-square example. Use your own square count for your roof.
These figures help you plan. The disposal facility’s scale sets any extra charge.
Moisture and the mix of materials will change the result.
- Light household junk
- About 125 pounds per cubic yard.
- Mixed household junk
- 1.15 times the light estimate.
- Some heavier household items
- Appliances, books, or tools: 1.35 times the light estimate.
- Wood and drywall
- About 0.09 tons (180 pounds) per cubic yard.
- 3-tab asphalt
- About 230 pounds per square.
- Architectural shingles
- About 280 pounds per square.
- Cedar or wood shingles
- About 350 pounds per square.
- Concrete, brick, and masonry
- About 2 tons per cubic yard.
- Dirt and soil
- About 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
- Brush and green waste
- About 0.04 tons (80 pounds) per cubic yard.
- Brush mixed with sod or dirt
- About 0.12 tons (240 pounds) per cubic yard.
What happens if your dumpster is overweight?
After pickup, the disposal facility weighs your load.
Weight above the allowance uses the extra-ton rate on your quote.
Your quote shows the included weight and the charge per extra ton.
Example only. Your quote lists the allowance for your size and delivery location.
- Included weight
- 2 tons
- Actual weight
- 2.5 tons
- Additional weight
- 0.5 ton
You would be charged the applicable extra-ton rate for the additional 0.5 ton.
Which materials are treated as heavy?
Dirt, soil, concrete, brick, block, masonry, and rocks go in a 10-yard roll-off.
A qualifying online order for those materials may include a $350 refundable deposit.
The deposit is held while the weight ticket is reviewed.
The extra-ton rate on your quote is separate. You pay it only for weight above the allowance.
Required for dirt, soil, concrete, brick, block, masonry and rock loads. After disposal, Blue Sky reviews the weight ticket. If the load exceeds the included weight allowance, the applicable weight overage may be deducted from the deposit. Any remaining balance is refunded. If there is no weight overage, the full $350 is refunded.
Size roofing shingles on their own. The $350 deposit stays with the heavy 10-yard load.
Rubber-wheeled dumpsters list their own weight limits on the rubber-wheeled dumpster pages. Details for heavy loads are on the Heavy Debris Guide.
How can you avoid extra weight charges?
Tell us what you are disposing of before you rent.
Concrete, brick, dirt, and roofing shingles may need a specific dumpster size.
Keep the load at or below the fill line.
Not sure which dumpster you need? Use the Dumpster Calculator or call 586-412-3762.
