Dumpster weight limits — tonnage, overage fees, and the heavy-debris classification.

Every roll-off dumpster has two caps: a volume cap (how much fits in the bin) and a weight cap (how much the truck can legally haul). The included rental fee covers both up to a limit. Exceed either limit and overage fees kick in.

This guide walks through the weight side specifically — what each size includes, what triggers overage, and the heavy-debris classification we use for concrete-heavy jobs. For the volume side, see our dumpster sizes guide.

Included weight by size

Overage rates vary by city based on transfer-station tipping fees. Vancouver runs the high end of the range; Calgary and Edmonton run the low end.

Material weights — the cheat sheet

To figure out if your job will hit weight cap, estimate how many cubic yards of each material you'll have. Then multiply by the per-yard weight:

When weight matters (and when it doesn't)

For about 80% of residential jobs — kitchen renos, basement cleanouts, estate cleanouts, furniture haul-aways — weight is not the binding limit. You'll fill the bin volume-wise before approaching the weight cap. These jobs are predictable.

Weight becomes the binding limit when the job involves:

• Concrete, brick, or stone removal (driveway tear-out, patio demo)
• Asphalt removal
• Roofing tear-off (shingle is moderate, but a multi-layer roof adds up)
• Excavation or soil removal
• Mixed construction debris where heavy material is more than a third of the load

The heavy-debris classification

If your job is mostly concrete, brick, asphalt, or dirt, the standard mixed-debris bin pricing doesn't work. You'd hit the weight cap before filling the bin, and the per-ton overage on a small bin adds up fast.

For these jobs, we use a heavy-debris classification — same physical bin, different weight allowance and per-ton rate:

• 10-yard heavy-debris: includes 6 tons (vs 2 tons standard)
• 14-yard heavy-debris: includes 8 tons (vs 2 tons standard)
• 20-yard heavy-debris: includes 10 tons (vs 3 tons standard)

Heavy-debris bins are slightly more expensive at the base ($80-150 more depending on size and city) but the per-ton overage rate is lower because we're going straight to a specialized concrete-disposal facility instead of mixed-waste transfer.

To use this, mention "concrete," "brick," or "heavy debris" when booking. We'll quote the right rate up front.

How weighing actually happens

Every roll-off truck drives onto a certified scale at the transfer station on every trip:

1. Empty pass: truck plus empty bin weighed before pickup
2. Full pass: truck plus full bin weighed after pickup, before dumping
3. Difference = load weight, recorded on a weighbill

The weighbill is auditable — every customer can request a copy of theirs after pickup. The number is what it is; we don't estimate or fudge.

Reducing the chance of overage

• Classify correctly at booking. If you know it's mostly concrete, ask for heavy-debris. Don't try to sneak it through as mixed renovation.
• Don't overfill above the rim. Anything above the rim (a "heaped" load) is technically illegal to transport and we have to level it before leaving. That can take additional time and cost.
• Estimate cubic yards first, weight second. If volume math says you'll be over capacity, size up before worrying about weight.
• Separate cardboard for recycling. Cardboard is light but bulky — keeping it out of the dumpster frees volume for heavier debris.
• Take photos as you load. If a billing dispute arises, photos help.

If you're still unsure about sizing or weight for your specific job, our quote page has a dispatch chat — describe the job in one sentence and we'll size it correctly. We deliver same-day in 60 Canadian cities. For complete pricing, see our rental cost guide.