Bagster vs. Dumpster: Which One Is Better for You?

When managing waste during a home improvement or decluttering project, you may have to choose between buying a Bagster and renting a roll-off dumpster. 

While Bagsters, also known as Waste Management Bagsters, are a popular option, they may not be the most practical solution to handling your waste needs. Sometimes called a "dumpster in a bag" or a "dumpster bag", there are some major differences between a dumpster and a dumpster bag rental. 

Here are some reasons why a roll-off dumpster may be a better choice than a bagster for handling your project debris.

A Bagster is Waste Management's "solution" to making affordable dumpster services. It is a heavy-duty bag made of canvas that can hold up to 3 cubic yards, or 1.65 tons of weight. 

This is about the same capacity as half of a 10-yard dumpster. The Bagster's purchase price is seemingly low, typically around 30 dollars. 

However, once you calculate the total cost, including pickup and scheduling fees, the dumpster bag is overpriced compared to a typical dumpster rental. 

While the initial price starts at a flat $29.99, collection fees quickly add up, especially if you require pickups for multiple dumpster bags. 

The flat rate price also changes depending on where you purchase your bag, as you must buy the WM dumpster bag at Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart, or other home improvement stores. 

Unlike a dumpster rental, where the dumpster is delivered directly to your job site, you must go out of your way to purchase a dumpster bag. 

Additionally, dumpster costs generally include pickup, dumping fees, and removal costs bundled into one package at checkout, making it easier to budget for your waste management needs.

The Bagster pickup cost, also called the collection fee, is the amount Waste Management (WM) charges to pick up your filled bag. The price depends on your zip code, but average prices range between $100 - $300, with additional costs for picking up multiple bags. 

There are also optional add-on costs, such as the Guaranteed Day Service (GDS). This flat fee ensures your Bagster is picked up on a specific day. Without GDS, WM will collect your Bagster within a 7-day window, but the exact day is not guaranteed.

For smaller renovation projects and cleanups, the dumpster bag might be a good option. On average, the cost for a dumpster bag is around $170, including $140 for pickup and $30 for purchase price. 

The dumpster bag has a capacity of 3 cubic yards, which is less than 1/3 of the capacity of our smallest 10 cubic yard dumpster.

On the other hand, a 10 cubic yard dumpster rental costs an average of $350. This means for less than 1/3 the capacity of a 10-yard dumpster, you're paying about 40% of the price for a dumpster bag.

This can be a good deal if you only have a small amount of waste and don't need additional space for your debris. However, if you have more than 3 cubic yards worth of debris, the dumpster bag quickly becomes the less economical choice.

The Bagster must first be purchased from a home improvement store or online retailer. To use the Bagster, you need to determine if it is available for pick-up in your location, as the service is not available in all locations.

Once you have confirmed the availability, you can purchase the Bagster from authorized retailers such as Home Depot, Lowe's, or Amazon. Following the instructions provided with the bag, you can set it up and start filling it up with your waste.

When you have completed filling the bag, you can schedule a pick-up service with Waste Management (WM). WM will collect the Bagster from your location within a 5-day time frame, and you will be charged a collection fee for the pick-up.

Overall, the Bagster process involves purchasing the bag, filling it up with waste, scheduling a pick-up with WM, and paying a fee for the pick-up service.

The Bagster pickup can take five or more business days without the Guaranteed Day Service payment. Unlike a dumpster rental, which has a guaranteed pickup date, the Bagster pickup is up in the air without the Guaranteed Day Service. 

Another downside about Bagsters is that they are not reusable but single-use products. In terms of environmental impact, this is not promising since these bags will also end up in dumps and landfills with the trash they carry. 

Each time you want to use a Bagster, you must purchase another one, which isn't great for your pocket or the environment. Dumpsters, on the other hand, can be reused repeatedly since they are made of durable metal.

The Bagster size is fixed – it comes in just one option: 8 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 2.5 feet high. 

While this may be enough for minor cleanups, bulky furniture, appliances, and construction materials often exceed the Bagster size, making it difficult to dispose of them using this container.

Traditional dumpsters, on the other hand, are available in a variety of sizes — from 10 to 40 cubic yards — and can handle a wide range of waste from construction sites, commercial properties, and residential cleanouts. 

Another major limitation is the Bagster weight limit, which is capped at 3,300 pounds. While that may sound like a lot, you can exceed the Bagster weight limit fairly quickly during larger renovation projects or when disposing of heavy construction materials.

For example, debris from a multi-room renovation or a small commercial demolition often exceeds what one Bagster can hold, both in size and in weight. In such cases, needing multiple Bagsters (each subject to its own pickup fee of $100 or more) can quickly make this option less economical.

Traditional dumpsters are built to handle far more weight than the Bagster weight limit allows. Their sturdy metal construction and high capacity make them ideal for heavy items like concrete, drywall, old furniture, or roofing material, all in one container.

Bagsters are designed to handle household and construction waste, but there are limits to what can be disposed of in these bags.

According to Waste Management, Bagsters cannot take in hazardous materials, appliances, electronics, or yard waste. Appliances and electronics, such as refrigerators and televisions, contain hazardous components that require special handling and disposal and cannot be placed in a dumpster bag.

Additionally, materials like yard waste — such as tree branches, leaves, or grass clippings — are not allowed in Bagsters. These types of waste require specialized composting or mulching facilities to prevent contamination and promote proper decomposition.

In contrast, traditional dumpsters can accommodate a broader range of waste types, including appliances, electronics, and yard waste. 

Some dumpster rental companies have specific guidelines for what can and cannot be disposed of in their containers, but the range of acceptable waste types is typically broader than what is allowed in Bagsters.

For more versatility and freedom in discarding the trash, a traditional roll-off dumpster may be a more practical option.

What Can You NOT Put In A Bagster?

Items that cannot go in the Bagster dumpster bag rental are:

• Anything toxic or hazardous

• Paint

• Oil

• Batteries

• Fluorescent light bulbs

• Appliances

• Electronics

• Food waste

• Tires

• Pesticides

• Chemicals

• Yard waste (only in some areas)

Similar to a roll-off dumpster, all hazardous waste is prohibited from being thrown out in a dumpster bag rental. 

Additionally, all of the above items are not allowed in a Bagster and must be taken to a special facility for dumping or picked up by your local municipality's hazardous waste department.

Bagsters are a popular waste disposal solution because of their convenience and flexibility, but they are not as sturdy as traditional dumpsters.

Bagsters are made of a durable, tear-resistant material, but there is still a possibility of ripping or tearing, especially if overfilled or mishandled. This can lead to a messy and potentially hazardous situation, especially if the waste inside is sharp, heavy, or otherwise dangerous.

Furthermore, Bagsters require a flat and accessible surface for pickup, which may be challenging to find in urban or densely populated areas. It can be particularly problematic for construction sites with limited space or residential areas with narrow streets and tight parking spaces.

In contrast, traditional dumpsters are designed to handle heavy and bulky items and are much less likely to break. These containers are made of sturdy, industrial-grade materials that can withstand the wear and tear of waste disposal.

Dumpsters are typically placed on a solid foundation, such as a concrete pad, to ensure stability and prevent tipping. This reduces the risk of accidents and provides safe waste disposal. 

Dumpsters can be secured with lids or covers, which can prevent waste from blowing away and discourage unauthorized access or illegal dumping.

Phew! That was a lot to take in! But when it comes down to it, choosing between a Bagster and a roll-off dumpster really depends on three things: how big your project is, what kind of junk you're dealing with, and how quickly you need it gone.

While Bagsters can be a decent short-term option for very small cleanups, roll-off dumpsters clearly offer more value, space, and reliability (especially when you're dealing with larger volumes of waste or heavy materials).

Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:

When you compare size, cost, reliability, and what you’re allowed to toss, roll-off dumpsters come out ahead every time.

Get an affordable roll-off dumpster rental today and make waste one less thing to worry about!