Bagster vs Dumpster Rental: Which Saves You Money?
The Bagster looks cheaper at $30, but pickup fees of $99-$225 change the equation. This guide breaks down real costs, capacity, and when each option makes sense for your project.
The Bottom Line First
What Is a Bagster?
The Bagster is Waste Management's "dumpster in a bag" - a heavy-duty, collapsible waste container made of woven polypropylene fabric. You purchase it at retail stores, fill it yourself, then schedule pickup through Waste Management.
Bagster Specifications
Capacity
- • Volume: 3 cubic yards
- • Weight limit: 3,300 lbs (1.65 tons)
- • Equivalent: About 1-2 pickup truck loads
Dimensions
- • Length: 8 feet
- • Width: 4 feet
- • Height: 2.5 feet (major limitation)
How It Works
- Purchase bag at Home Depot, Lowe's, or online ($30)
- Set up bag following instructions (5-10 minutes)
- Fill at your own pace (no time limit)
- Schedule pickup online or call 877-789-BAGS
- Waste Management picks up within 5-7 business days
✅ Bagster Advantages:
- •No time limit - fill at your own pace
- •Fits in tight spaces (8' × 4' × 2.5')
- •Good for very small projects (under 3 yards)
- •Buy at Home Depot, Lowe's, or online
- •Quick setup (5-10 minutes)
❌ Bagster Disadvantages:
- •Higher cost per cubic yard ($46-$88)
- •No guaranteed pickup date (5-7 day window)
- •Single-use only, not reusable
- •Poor for heavy materials (concrete, roofing)
- •Low height limits what fits (only 2.5' tall)
- •Strict placement requirements
Real Cost Breakdown 2025
The advertised $30 price is misleading. Pickup fees vary significantly by location, and the total cost per cubic yard is often higher than traditional dumpster rental.
| Cost Factor | Bagster (3 yards) | 10-Yard Dumpster |
|---|---|---|
| Bag/Container | $30 (purchase at store) | Included |
| Pickup/Delivery | $99-$225 | Included |
| Booking Fee | ~$8 | None |
| Rental Period | Unlimited (until you call) | 7-10 days included |
| Total Cost | $137-$263 | $300-$500 |
| Cost Per Cubic Yard | $46-$88 | $25-$40 |
💡 The Math That Matters
If you need two Bagsters for your project, you'll pay $274-$526 total for 6 cubic yards. A 10-yard dumpster gives you 10 cubic yards for $300-$500. The dumpster becomes cheaper once you exceed 3 cubic yards of debris.
Hidden Bagster Costs
- • Urban surcharges: Major cities charge $150-$225 vs rural $99-$175
- • Guaranteed pickup: $20-$50 extra for specific date
- • Multiple bags: Each additional bag = $30 + full pickup fee
- • Overweight fees: Charges apply over 3,300 lbs (1.65 tons) limit
- • Single-use: Cannot reuse bag, must buy new one
- • Damage waiver: Required if they drive on your property
Capacity: What Actually Fits?
The 2.5-foot height is a major limitation. Many common items won't fit in a Bagster that easily fit in a traditional dumpster.
✅ Fits in Bagster
- • 10-15 contractor bags of debris
- • Small garage cleanout items
- • 5-8 boxes of household items
- • 1 small couch or loveseat
- • Yard waste from small garden
- • Carpet from 1 room
❌ Won't Fit Well
- • Refrigerators, washers, dryers
- • Queen/king mattresses (too tall)
- • Full sheets of plywood or drywall
- • Tall furniture (dressers, cabinets)
- • Long lumber pieces
- • Large amounts of construction debris
⚠️ Height Restriction Reality
At only 2.5 feet tall, the Bagster forces you to break down or cut many items that would fit whole in a 3.5-4.5 foot tall dumpster. This adds significant time and effort to your project.
Pickup & Scheduling Comparison
Bagster Pickup
- ✓ Flexible fill time: No deadline
- ✗ 5-7 day window: No guaranteed date
- ✗ Strict placement: 18' clearance, 12' driveway
- ✗ Cannot move: Final location before pickup
- ✗ Limited service: WM areas only
- ✗ Must be curbside: Or sign damage waiver
Dumpster Delivery
- ✓ Guaranteed date: Exact delivery time
- ✓ Guaranteed pickup: Schedule exact removal
- ✓ Flexible placement: Driver positions for you
- ✓ Set rental period: Usually 7-14 days
- ✓ Can extend: $10-$25/day extra
- ✓ Nationwide: Local providers everywhere
When to Choose Each Option
Choose Bagster When:
- • You have less than 3 cubic yards of debris
- • Flexible timeline with no deadline
- • Very limited space (tight driveway)
- • Small cleanout: closet, small garage corner, attic declutter
- • Budget under $150 total
- • Lightweight materials only (no concrete, roofing)
Final Recommendation
Bagster makes sense for: Very small cleanouts under 3 cubic yards with flexible timing and lightweight materials only. Think closet cleanouts, minor garage decluttering, or small yard projects.
Traditional dumpster wins for: Any renovation, project over 3 cubic yards, heavy materials, or situations requiring guaranteed scheduling. The better cost per cubic yard ($25-$40 vs $46-$88) quickly makes up for the higher base price.
Pro tip: When in doubt, choose the 10-yard dumpster. It's the sweet spot for most residential projects, and the cost difference from multiple Bagsters is minimal while offering much better value and convenience.
Material Restrictions
✅ Bagster & Dumpsters Accept
- • Household junk and furniture
- • Yard waste and branches
- • Wood and lumber
- • Drywall and flooring
- • Cardboard and paper
- • Non-hazardous debris
❌ Bagster & Dumpsters Prohibit
- • Hazardous chemicals and paint
- • Electronics (e-waste)
- • Appliances with Freon
- • Tires and batteries
- • Asbestos materials
- • Medical waste
Bagster Heavy Material Restriction
Real Project Examples with Exact Calculations
These examples show complete calculations for common projects. Use them as templates for estimating your own project's disposal needs.
Scenario: Small Closet Cleanout
Project: 10-15 bags of old clothes, boxes, and small household items
- • 2 cubic yards total
- • All lightweight materials
- • Can work over 2 weeks
- • No specific deadline
- • Total cost: $137-$180
- • Fits easily in space
- • Flexible fill time works
- • Cheaper than 10-yard ($300-$500)
Scenario: Bathroom Renovation
Project: Remove vanity, toilet, tile, and drywall from 60 sq ft bathroom
- • 4-5 cubic yards total
- • Heavy materials (tile, toilet)
- • Need removal by deadline
- • Tall items (vanity, mirror)
- • Total cost: $300-$375
- • Guaranteed scheduling
- • All items fit easily
- • Better than 2 Bagsters ($274-$526)
Scenario: Garage Organization
Project: Clear out 20 years of accumulated storage
- • Unsure - maybe 3-8 cubic yards
- • Mix of furniture and boxes
- • Want to work slowly
- • Some items might be large
- • Certainty for unknown volume
- • Accommodates large items
- • One rental vs multiple Bagsters
- • Peace of mind on sizing
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 10-yard dumpster cost?
How long can I keep a dumpster?
What can't go in a dumpster?
Is a Bagster cheaper than a dumpster?
How long can I keep a Bagster?
Ready to Size Your Project?
Use our free calculator to find the perfect dumpster size