6 Items Too Big For Dumpster Rental

Most of us have tried to cram too much into a cardboard box when we’re moving. We see a little bit of space in one corner of the box, stick in an item that is way too big and then we try to put weight on the top of the box in a failed attempt to get it to close enough to seal up the box.

In comparison, dumpster containers are huge. The average size is 9 to 12 feet long and 5 1/2 to 8 feet wide, but you can get massive 20-yard bins for larger projects. These dumpsters are big and open on the top and you might logically think that it’s just about impossible to find objects that are too big to fit inside.

And yet, people still try and place incredibly large objects into their dumpsters. Here are some items that we have seen placed into dumpsters, along with some helpful suggestions on alternative on how to get rid of them:

Cars

When most of us are ready to get rid of our old car, we probably don’t say to ourselves, “Hey, I bet cramming my car into that dumpster would work.” And yet, people still try to do it. While getting rid of a vehicle can be a pain, it’s not appropriate to use the dumpster. There are better ways and some of these might even make you some money.

First, try to sell it. If it runs, you can post it on Craigslist or other classified websites that have a “Vehicle for Sale” section. Your car might not be worth much in its current condition, but any money you receive will be more than you would have gotten simply throwing it away – with the benefit of someone taking it away for you.

Even if your car isn’t working, it might be worth selling for parts. Spend a bit of time researching your car online and you might be pleasantly surprised how much those parts are worth.

If selling it isn’t an option, many local charities will tow it away for free and even give you a tax credit for your donation. You’ll have to research which local charity works best for you, but it’s a great feeling to be able to do something positive with that old clunker.

Large Landscaping Materials

Dumpsters are great for discarding organic material such as old sod, bushes, and branches. But they aren’t the best choice if you’re trying to get rid of a 40-foot tree or old wooden powerline pole. If your old tree is too big for the dumpster, consider cutting it up for firewood. Even if you don’t need the firewood, many people will cut it up for you and take it off your hands for free. It’s the same scenario with other large wooden objects. Many towns also offer local pick-up for large organic material.

Complete Storage Units And Sheds

Old sheds, containers and other storage units are also not particularly appropriate for disposal in a dumpster. They’re too big and bulky, plus you end up only using part of the dumpster, unless you also throw things in the shed. Instead, here a couple of alternative options for disposal.

If your shed or storage unit is made of wood, you can use a power saw to cut it up and then either dispose of the wood in the dumpster or give it away as a firewood.

If your shed or storage unit is constructed out of metal or plastic, you’ll need to dispose of it in a different way. Most metal or plastic sheds can be unscrewed and disassembled. You can then look into your local town’s guidelines for disposing of large objects.

Also, if you are purchasing a new shed or storage unit, the business who sold you the new one might be willing to pick up and dispose of your old one.

Large Furniture

While most furniture will easily fit in a dumpster, large sofas and L-shaped sectionals will probably not. But getting rid of these huge pieces of furniture doesn’t have to be a challenge. If the furniture is in good shape, you can try to sell it or even offer it for free via any number of online sales sites and apps such as Craigslist or Kijiji. You can also see if a local charity furniture store would be interested in it and they will likely even pick up the item. Even better, in most cases, you are able to get a tax credit if you donate furniture.

Recreational Vehicles

Golf carts, ATVs, small camping trailers, and boats are just some of the inappropriate items people have unsuccessfully attempted to dispose of in a dumpster. And that’s unfortunate because there are plenty of other ways to dispose of recreational vehicles. Most of the time you can sell these items, either thanks to online sales websites or at a yard sale.

Children’s Play Sets

There’s nothing more magical than watching kids enjoying a big, fun play set. But when the set has seen better days, you don’t want to try and cram that jumble of old slides, swings and climbing walls into a dumpster rental. Is it still in working order? Try giving it to a neighbour or friend. Even better, if it’s still in solid shape you will likely have an easy time selling it.

If you’re looking for a dumpster rental or just need some more information on it, call Gorilla Bins today at 905-230-1300 or visit our here.