Is it Cheaper to Go to the Dump or Rent a Dumpster?

Congrats!  The dump versus dumpster question is a great one! Thinking about whether it’s cheaper to take your waste to the dump (or landfill) or rent a dumpster in here Jacksonville, FL depends a lot on (1) how much waste you have, (2) what type of waste it is, and (3) how long you’ll need the dumpster. Below is a breakdown of the costs and things to watch, so you can decide what makes the most sense for your project.

Cost Snapshot

Taking waste directly to a landfill

• As an example, the Trail Ridge Landfill (Duval County/Jacksonville area) household “regular” waste is charged at about $29.87 per ton (for weight over 500 lbs) for residents.
• For many types of commercial or construction & demolition (C&D) waste, the “tipping” fees are around $22.71 per ton for C&D in Jacksonville area.
• Some reports (for very small loads) say someone unloaded framing off-cuts & old trim and paid only about $3 because the load was light.

Renting a dumpster

Taking a sample of various competitors, dumpster rental companies in Jacksonville quoted for a typical 10‐ to 20‐yard dumpster:

• One company: 10-yard ~$380; 15-yard ~$415; 20-yard ~$450. Bin There Dump That
• Another listing: 10-yard starting ~$392; 20-yard ~$323-$507 depending on size & duration.
• Some very low flat‐rate offers (though its important to check what’s included and not included) show 10-yard ~ $195; 20-yard ~$245.

What each option is good for

• Dump/landfill drop‐off is likely cheaper if you have a small load, can haul it yourself (using your own truck or with a borrowed truck), and the waste is standard, accepted material. For example, if you have under a ton (or half‐ton) of waste, the cost might just be a few tens of dollars.
• Dumpster rental becomes more attractive if you have a large volume, many items spread out over time, or the convenience matters (you don’t want to haul yourself, you want ongoing access, or you want the container dropped off and picked up). The rental cost includes delivery, pickup, and typically some tonnage or days included.

Things to watch / “hidden” costs

• With dumpster rental: check what the included weight is. If you go over tonnage you may pay extra fees (an average of mentioned websites have extra tonnage fee ~$80/ton).
• Check rental period: some quotes include a set number of days (7-10 days) and extra days may cost more.
• Waste type matters: some materials (heavy material like concrete, dirt, brick) will weight more and drive up cost or require special disposal.
• With dumping yourself: you’ll have to account for your time, transport costs, maybe permit or rules for special waste, and the physical effort.
• Permits: If you place a dumpster on the street/public right‐of‐way, there may be permit requirements in Jacksonville. Some rental companies mention this, but some do not.

Which is cheaper in most cases?

In general for Jacksonville, FL:

• For small to moderate amounts (say a few hundred pounds up to 1 ton) and if you have means to haul it yourself, going to the landfill/drop-off will generally be cheaper.
• For larger jobs (whole garage clean-out, major renovation debris, or multiple truck loads), renting a dumpster may end up being worth the cost for the convenience and bundled services.
• If a dumpster rental is around $400+ for a 10-20 yard unit, you’d need to be certain that hauling yourself wouldn’t cost you more (in time/effort/trips) than that difference.

If we drill down to nuts and bolts, we can look at a comparison of DIY waste management versus renting a dumpster.  This can be helpful in making the decision between what is a more cost-effective avenue for your project.

Drop-Off / Landfill Costs

• Trail Ridge Landfill (Baldwin, FL – serves Duval County) lists the rates for non-residential (“tipping”) waste at about $30.30 per ton.
• On Reddit, locals report small loads (truck‐bed of framing off-cuts) being dropped at Trail Ridge and paying as little as $3 for a light load.

Dumpster Rental Costs

• On average, dumpster rentals in Jacksonville cost:
• 10-yard dumpster: $380 (approx.)
• 15-yard dumpster: $415 (approx.)
• 20-yard dumpster: $450 (approx.)

• Another pricing source gives typical rental range: 10-20 yard units cost around $300–$550 depending on size, duration, and debris type. 904dumpster.com
• These costs include delivery, pick-up, and basic tonnage in many cases — but you’ll want to check exact terms (weight limits, extra fees for heavy debris, etc).

What this means for you

• If you have a small volume of waste (let’s say less than a ton, and you can haul and unload yourself), going to the landfill/drop-off is likely much cheaper.
• If you have a large volume, many items over time, or heavy/awkward debris (and want convenience), then renting a dumpster might make sense despite the higher price, because it bundles delivery, pickup, and labour.
• Example: If you rented a 10-yard dumpster at $380, vs. droppping at the landfill at ~$30/ton BUT you also need a truck, time, and labour — you’ll need to weigh those extra costs.