How to Choose the Right Bin Size for Your Renovation Project

Ordering a bin that’s too small means paying for a second pickup. Ordering one that’s too big means you’re paying for capacity you never used. Either way, it costs you time and money — and on a job site, both are tight.

Here’s a straightforward guide to matching bin size to project type in the GTA.

Quick Reference: Bin Sizes and What They’re For

6-Yard Bin — Small Cleanouts and Single-Room Renovations

A 6-yard bin holds roughly 6 cubic yards of loose material, which translates to about 3–4 pickup truck loads. It’s the right call for:

• Single bathroom renovations (tile removal, vanity, tub)
• Small garage cleanouts
• Deck board replacements (no structure removal)
• General junk removal

If you’re doing a bathroom gut in a Mississauga condo or clearing out a garage in Burlington, a 6-yard bin is usually enough. The caveat: if the bathroom has a cast iron tub, the weight adds up fast. More on weight limits below.

10-Yard Bin — Kitchen Renovations and Deck Teardowns

The 10-yard bin is probably the most common residential size across the GTA. It handles:

• Full kitchen gutouts (cabinets, drywall, flooring)
• Deck removal (pressure-treated lumber adds weight quickly)
• Small basement cleanouts
• Landscaping material (soil, sod, interlock removal)

One thing to keep in mind: landscaping material — especially soil and concrete — is dense. A 10-yard bin loaded entirely with concrete or soil will hit its weight limit before it’s visually full. Always tell us what you’re filling it with so we can advise properly.

14-Yard Bin — Basement Renovations and Full Roofing Jobs

The 14-yard is the sweet spot for mid-size residential renovations. Expect to use one for:

• Full basement gut and finish (drywall, framing, flooring)
• Complete roofing tear-off on an average GTA home (1,500–2,000 sqft)
• Single-level additions at demolition stage

A roofing job specifically tends to fill a bin fast — asphalt shingles are heavy and they layer up. A standard bungalow in Brampton or Oakville can generate 4–6 tons of roofing waste alone. Make sure the bin size and weight allowance both match before you start throwing material.

20-Yard Bin — Full House Renovations and Small Demolitions

This is the go-to size for contractors doing a full-house renovation — every floor, kitchen, bathrooms, and the basement. Also works well for:

• Detached garage demolitions
• Small commercial fitout removals
• Multi-room drywall and insulation tear-outs

At this size, placement logistics start to matter. A 20-yard bin is about 22 feet long — make sure you have the driveway space, and check if your municipality requires a permit for a bin on a public street. In Toronto and Mississauga, street placement almost always requires a permit. Driveway placement typically doesn’t, but it varies.

30-Yard Bin — New Construction Waste and Large Renovations

New builds generate a surprising amount of waste — packaging, offcuts, drywall scraps, framing waste. A 30-yard bin on a new construction site in the GTA is standard practice. It also works for:

• Large commercial renovation cleanups
• Multi-unit residential renovations (full townhouse or small apartment building)
• Significant landscaping overhauls with large volumes of organic material

40-Yard Bin — Commercial Demolition and Major Projects

The 40-yard is the largest we carry. It’s used almost exclusively for commercial demolition, industrial site cleanups, and major development projects. If you’re managing a commercial building teardown in the GTA, this is what you need. It’s also the right call for mass cleanouts of large commercial properties.

Weight Limits — The Detail Most People Ignore

Every bin has a weight limit, and exceeding it triggers overage charges. This matters most when you’re disposing of:

• Concrete and masonry: Dense, heavy, fills the weight limit before the bin looks full
• Soil and aggregate: Same issue — particularly wet soil
• Asphalt shingles: Heavier than they look, especially in volume
• Cast iron (pipes, tubs, radiators): Extremely dense

As a general rule, if your project involves significant concrete, soil, or asphalt, talk to us about a specific weight allowance before you book. We’d rather have that conversation upfront than deal with an overage dispute when the truck arrives.

What You Can’t Put in a Bin

This is non-negotiable — certain materials are prohibited from general waste bins under Ontario regulation and Halton/Peel/Toronto municipal rules:

• Hazardous materials: Paint, solvents, aerosols, oil, batteries
• Appliances with refrigerants: Fridges, freezers, air conditioners
• Electronics (e-waste)
• Asbestos-containing materials: Common in homes built before 1990 — drywall compound, floor tiles, pipe insulation
• Tires
• Medical waste

If you suspect asbestos on your site, stop. It requires testing and certified abatement before any demolition work can continue. This applies across Mississauga, Brampton, Toronto, and Hamilton — there are no exceptions.

Pricing Guidance

Bin rental pricing in the GTA varies based on size, rental duration, and disposal fees. Most standard residential rentals are priced as a flat rate covering a set number of days (typically 5–7 business days) and a base weight allowance. Overages are charged by the tonne.

The best way to avoid surprises: tell us exactly what you’re throwing in it, how much, and how long you need it. We’ll give you a straight number.

Ready to book? Visit our bin disposals page to get a quote for your project.