Garbage management may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you are planning a large event or festival, but it’s something that must not be overlooked. Here is an essential guide to renting dumpsters for your large event.

Size Requirements

Sizing dumpsters for events is a little more complicated than choosing a dumpster for a specific project as there are a lot more variables that will affect garbage production.

Municipal Requirements

For events that require permitting, your municipal permitting office may provide specific minimum requirements to do with garbage management specifics, such as the number of garbage disposal stations that need to be available to attendees and vendors.

Check garbage management policies with your event venue. They may already have dumpsters available, so you will only need to determine whether they fit the permit requirements and your event’s needs.

Daily Attendance Estimates

You should be able to develop an estimate on how much garbage attendees will produce with the help of your dumpster rental service. The service will need information on expected attendance and the length of the event.

The type of event and the garbage it is likely to produce will also be a factor in sizing. Be prepared to provide your rental service with as many details as possible to ensure the most accurate sizing recommendation.

Dumpster Types

Once you know the size of dumpster you need, the next step is to choose the type. When it comes to events, there are two main styles of dumpster that are used as they are easy to move on and off site.

Roll-Off Dumpsters

A roll-off dumpster is likely the most common option for a short event, since these dumpsters and the garbage they contain can simply be hauled off by your rental service once the event is complete. Roll-off dumpsters have an open top as well as wheels on the bottom so they can be moved around easily, so you don’t need full truck access in order to place the dumpster.

There are a variety of sizes available, as well, including large sizes that hold up to 40 cubic yards of garbage. At the end of the event, the roll-off dumpster and its contents are collected by your waste management service.

Commercial Dumpsters

Commercial dumpsters are better suited for longer events, such as summer-long outdoor markets or recurring weekend events. These dumpsters are more often used for events where emptying the dumpster at regular intervals makes more sense than hauling the whole thing away at the end.

Another benefit of a commercial dumpster is that there is a lid that can be closed between uses. For large events, you may need multiple commercial dumpsters.

Site Selection

Where the dumpster is to be placed is just as important as the size and type of dumpster. The placement sites available may even impact the types of dumpsters that will work best.

Conditions Survey

The right dumpster site should be level and accessible for both disposal and pickup, so flat areas near access roads are ideal. A protected area where there is some shade is ideal to help keep odors down, particularly in the summer months.

If odors will be unavoidable, consider the prevailing direction of the breeze in your event location, especially if you are hosting an outdoor event. Place the dumpster downwind of the event, if possible, to help manage odors.

Trash Hubs

Ideally the site of the dumpster will be convenient to access for both disposal and eventual garbage pickup. For many events, dumpsters only need to be accessible for event staff and possibly vendors, so a discreet location for a disposal hub is ideal.

Consider multiple dumpsters if there will be different trash hubs. For example, if you have a food truck area at your event then dedicated dumpsters for the dining waste may be near the food field, while another trash hub may be needed in another area.

Sanitation Needs

Every event is different in its sanitation needs depending on the types of garbage you expect to be produced. A food festival, for example, will have much different sanitation needs than a craft fair.

Types of Garbage

Certain types of waste are simply messier and smellier than others. For events with food, dumpsters that have lids and can be kept well away from the event area are a must to help manage odors.

If there will be specialty garbage, such as biohazard items from a vaccine clinic or health fair, let your rental service know. You may need specific types of waste management in these situations.

Recycling Needs

A lot of waste can be generated at any event, so the responsible option is to provide recycling services for your attendees and vendors. Single stream dumpsters for recycling are ideal, as these allow all types of recyclables to be tossed in unsorted.

Another option is to have sorting stations manned by staff. Garbage can be brought to the recycling sorting area before it’s placed in the proper dumpster.

Contact Tri-State Disposal if you need more assistance in determining the dumpster needs for your upcoming event.