Waste Management Dumpster Review 2024: Pricing & Services

What does Waste Management offer?

When it comes to junk removal, Waste Management has three solutions. The first is bulk trash pickup, which is available to existing residential service customers. If you have an item that won't fit in your residential trash container, such as a refrigerator or couch, Waste Management will remove that item from the curb for a fee. To use the service, you would schedule a pickup time, pay the fee and move the item to the curb. Waste Management will not come into your home and remove the item for you.

The second option is the Bagster^®. Waste Management designed it for anyone—existing customer or not—who has more trash than they can fit into their trash container but not enough to warrant a dumpster. According to Waste Management, the Bagster^® is best for garage and attic cleanouts, carpet removal, deck removal, yard cleanup and minor renovations.

Waste Management markets the Bagster^® as a convenient junk removal solution. It is so easy to use that you simply purchase the heavy duty, folded bag at any home improvement store, including Home Depot and Lowe's. At home, you remove it from its package, fill it and schedule for Waste Management to remove it.

For larger jobs, the company offers temporary dumpster rentals. Waste Management dumpster sizes range from three yards (the equivalent of one truckload) to 40 yards (the equivalent of 16 truckloads). Including the 3-yard roll-off dumpster, there are three options under 15 yards, giving you a wider range of options for smaller and residential jobs than other companies, like Rumpke dumpster rental, offer.

The 3-yard dumpster works best for getting rid of general junk and yard debris compared to the 20-yard roll-off dumpster, which is best for large cleanout jobs and kitchen or bathroom remodels. A 30-yard dumpster rental can hold up to 14 truckloads or the equivalent of a large home renovation project. For the dimensions of Waste Management's seven dumpster sizes and what they can hold, check out the company's guide to its waste container rentals.

Unclear on what size dumpster you need? You can call 844-878-1511 to speak to a customer service representative. That person can help you find the right size based on what type of junk you have and how much of it. However, Waste Management does charge you a slightly higher rate for calling to book your trash dumpster rental by phone versus ordering it online.

(Note: Roll-off dumpsters are different than a trash dumpster rental for a commercial business. While you can rent roll-off dumpsters for up to 30 days, a garbage dumpster serves as the trash receptacle for a business. The business keeps it for as long as Waste Management provides waste removal services for them.)

Should I order a Bagster^® or a dumpster?

Whether a Bagster^® or dumpster is the best option for your job depends on several factors. The first is size and weight. A Bagster^® holds 3 yards of junk and debris or 3,300 lbs. That's the equivalent of 1,280 square feet of hardwood flooring, up to 1,000 square feet of roofing shingles or 900 square feet of carpet or tile. All items must fit below the top of the Bagster^® and not interfere with its handles.

Sometimes, it's easier to think of it in terms of the job. According to Waste Management, the Bagster^® is best for smaller jobs like cleaning out the garage or modest renovations while a garbage dumpster rental is best for extensive remodels, a major home renovation or furniture removal.

Next, consider how long you need to have the Bagster^® or dumpster. You can only rent a Waste Management dumpster for up to 30 days. If you have a project that could take longer than that, the Bagster^® is the better option because it has no time limit. You contact Waste Management when you are ready to have the dumpster bag removed.

Finally, ask yourself whether you have room for a dumpster. As a general rule, you should have at least the width of the dumpster as a buffer around it and its height in space above it. If you don't have that, you may need to consider using several Bagsters^® instead.

What Waste Management will (and won't take)

While certain items may be better suited for a dumpster—larger mattresses won't fit in a Bagster^®—Waste Management will take the following:

• Asphalt and concrete
• Bikes
• Cabinets
• Carpeting
• Dirt and sand
• Doors
• Drywall
• Flooring
• Furniture
• General construction debris
• Grills (without the gas tank)
• Insulation
• Lawn Furniture
• Mattresses
• Plaster
• Plywood and siding
• Rock
• Roofing and shingling
• Sinks, toilets and bathtubs
• Tile
• Windows

In some areas, Waste Management will accept yard waste, including brush, shrubs, tree clippings, leaves, mulch and sod. If you intend to include any of these in your junk removal, call your local Waste Management to ensure the company can accept them.

Likewise, Waste Management will not take recyclable items in its Bagsters^® or dumpsters such as batteries, glass, metal, paper and tires. Items the company will not accept include:

• Asbestos
• Batteries
• Chemicals
• Fluorescent Bulbs
• Food Waste
• Fuel
• Medical Waste
• Oil
• Paint
• Propane
• Railroad Ties
• Tires
• Toxic and hazardous waste

Just because you can't put these items in a Bagster or dumpster doesn't mean Waste Management can't dispose of them. If you have recyclable items such as batteries, you can schedule an at-home collection or mail them to Waste Management. Hazardous waste, including paint and chemicals, can also be picked up in some communities. Or, you can go to the company's website to find a drop-off location managed by Waste Management and drop them off yourself.

What does Waste Management do with your items?

After Waste Management picks up your junk, recyclable items are taken to a certified recycling center and processed from there. Unrecyclable items go to licensed disposal facilities. Overall, the company is dedicated to minimizing the amount of junk that goes into landfills.

How much does a Bagster^® cost?

Waste Management prices are typically higher than local junk removal and dumpster rental companies. However, you benefit from working with a professional, reliable company that is the world's leader in waste disposal.

With the Bagster^®, you will pay twice. The initial payment is for the bag. A Home Depot dumpster bag will cost $29.95, a Lowe's dumpster bag will cost $29.95 and a Target dumpster bag will cost $29.99. If you purchase one in Canada, expect to pay $39.95. After you fill the bag, you'll pay $145 to have it removed.

In total, it costs $175 for the Waste Management dumpster bag and its removal. However, there can be an additional charge of $50 if the removal team cannot get to the Bagster or the bag cannot be otherwise removed. That charge covers the team's trip fee. So, if you pay $175 for the bag and removal but Waste Management can't remove it, you could pay a total of $225, $275 or more, depending on how many times they come out to try to take it.

How much does a Waste Management dumpster cost?

The cost to rent a WM dumpster depends on the type of debris, dumpster size, when you need it, how long you need it, whether you keep it longer than the agreed upon amount of time and whether you go over the specified weight limit. Waste Management dumpster rental prices also depend on where you rent. Renting a small dumpster in one city may cost more than renting that same small dumpster in another city.

For an idea of what Waste Management charges for one week's use in November, see the chart below.

Other factors can influence your cost as well. You will pay slightly more if you order your dumpster by phone versus online or if you order extra options, such as rear entry doors, plastic liners and locks. Also, you'll end up paying penalties for keeping the dumpster longer than intended or adding too much weight.

When searching for "dumpster prices near me," keep in mind that the amount you are quoted by other companies may not include extra fees. Be sure to ask whether delivery and removal are included in the price. You'll also want to ask if you'll be charged for the full time even if you return the dumpster early. Lastly, find out what the charge is for extra days, having more than the maximum capacity weight limit or going over the maximum fill line.

Although renting a roll-off dumpster from Waste Management seems expensive, it's much more cost effective than it would be to buy a dumpster. The average 20 yd dumpster can cost anywhere from $3,795 to $5,295, and you would have to transport it to your home and dump, plus figure out what to do with it when you no longer need it.

Are there any additional fees?

With a Bagster^®, the only additional charge you might encounter is the $50 fee for non-pick up. This fee is applied when Waste Management comes to pick up your Waste Management bag and can't get to it or can't close its handles. Also, if you call to schedule your Bagster^® pick up instead of scheduling it online, you will be charged an $8 fee.

Dumpsters can incur many additional fees, including charges for keeping the dumpster extra days, going over the maximum fill line (overflow fee) and weighing more than the maximum capacity weight (overload fee). These charges vary depending on location.

Many homeowners overlook city permitting charges. In most communities, you need a permit to have a dumpster at your home. This amount could run anywhere from $10 to $100 per week and is in addition to the cost of renting the dumpster. In Philadelphia, for example, you'll pay $40 per week for a dumpster permit.

Can you find discounts or other deals?

You can find coupon codes online for 20 percent or $20 off a Bagster^® pickup, which costs $145. A 20 percent discount would drop the price to $106 while the $20 off would make it $125.

At the time this article was written, Waste Management was not offering any discounts or coupon codes for its dumpster rentals.

What is the process for using a Bagster^®?

The Bagster^® is straightforward to use. You simply purchase the Bagster^® at a home improvement store like Home Depot or other national chains like Ace Hardware or Target, where it comes folded in its packaging. At home, read the directions, paying special attention to information about placement. If your filled Bagster^® is not located where the removal team can get to it, they will not pick it up but will charge a $50 trip fee.

To use the Home Depot Waste Management bag, lay it flat in an acceptable location for pick up. Stand inside the bag, and fold the sides down and out. Then, fill it. You'll want to start by putting your junk at the edge and laying items flat to help the bag retain its rectangular shape.

Waste Management cautions against moving the bag once you have it set up because it can damage the bag, resulting in additional fees. Since there is no return date, you can take your time filling the Bagster^®. When you finish your job, you can schedule a collection online or by calling 877-789-2247. Payment for pickup is due at this time.

The company collects the bags Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., within three to five business days of scheduling. Some users complain that, when they schedule, they learn Waste Management doesn't pick up in their area or uses local contractors for pickups. Be sure to enter your zip code before purchasing a bag to make sure you can have your dumpster bag removed.

What is the process for renting a Waste Management dumpster?

The first step in renting a Waste Management dumpster is to assess your project. Consider what materials do you intend to discard. Do you need to rent a dumpster for a day, a week or longer? And, will a little dumpster accommodate your junk, or do you need a big dumpster rental? If you have difficulty determining the size, call Waste Management and order a dumpster by phone. (There is an additional charge for ordering by phone.)

Another issue to consider when choosing a Waste Management dumpster is the size of your yard. You need to have enough space to provide the driver with unobstructed access. This is the equivalent of double the height and width. So, if you want a 20-yard dumpster rental, you must have a clear space that is 14 feet wide and at least 6 feet high. For a 30-yard dumpster rental, you'd need a clear space that is 14 feet wide and at least 10 feet high.

Once you figure out what size you need, schedule your dumpster delivery online if you didn't order by phone. You will receive your dumpster drop off and delivery dates at that time. Prior to its arrival, find out whether your city requires a permit for dumpsters and get one if it does.

Since you only have the dumpster for a set time, start filling it as soon as you can. Monitor the dumpster to avoid going over the maximum fill line or adding materials that could push the dumpster over its weight limit. Both will result in penalties.

Finally, before Waste Management arrives to remove the dumpster, check the area for anything that could obstruct access to it. If the driver cannot get to the dumpster, he will leave it and you will be charged a fee.

What about insurance?

Waste Management does carry insurance for all residential services. However, you will be asked to sign a damage waiver if they need to drive on your property, including onto your driveway, to remove the Bagster^® or a dumpster.

What customers are saying about Waste Management

Most Waste Management reviews praise the Bagster^® for how convenient it is. The few negative reviews online complained either that the bag itself was too expensive or that, after they filled their bag, they learned there were no Bagster^® pickups in their area. Of course, the latter can be easily avoided by checking to see if the company offers Bagster^® pickups where you live before purchasing and filling a dumpster bag. Dumpster reviews were also mostly positive with a few rare complaints regarding pick up times and issues with customer service.

Should I use Waste Management for junk removal?

Waste Management makes getting rid of junk and debris easy for the average homeowner. Depending on the size of your job and what you are getting rid of, you have a choice between filling Waste Management's dumpster bag or renting a dumpster. We like that the Bagster^® can be conveniently purchased at home improvement stores and that you can take as long as you need to fill it up. As a result, we think the Bagster^® is a manageable and cost-effective alternative to dumpsters for most homeowners.

For those with larger jobs, Waste Management's dumpsters are an equally good option. The company offers roll-off dumpsters in seven different sizes, and you can easily schedule delivery and pickup online. If you need extra help finding the right size, customer service will help you choose the option that's best for you.

As always, though, we recommend that you request quotes from at least three different service providers so that you can ensure you get the best price possible. For more information, head to Waste Management's website, where you can find more details about the Bagster^® and dumpster rentals.

Author: Teresa Bitler

Teresa Bitler has been covering moving, real estate, home improvement and home decor for more than 15 years. She enjoys writing articles about moving to specific cities, like Denver or Nashville, and what to expect when you get there. She also likes to write about home improvement and getting your home ready for a move. As a real estate investor, she wrote extensively for Personal Real Estate Investor. She has also written for Su Casa, US News & World Report and local publications about home improvement topics. Bitler currently lives in Phoenix, and although she's moved too many times to count, she plans on staying put—at least for a while. View all blog posts by Teresa Bitler