For a long time, renting a dumpster was pretty much your only option for cleaning up after and during a big household project. However, just a few years ago, WM released a new alternative: the Bagster. Bagsters have been marketed as a cheaper and simpler solution to your junk problems, but does the experience live up to the advertising? We know a thing or two about the junk removal industry, so we decided to offer our take on the question.

What is a Bagster?

Created as an alternative to dumpster rentals and full-service junk removal companies like Junk King, Bagsters were initially pitched in 2010 to a few waste management companies before being picked up by WM. The idea is pretty simple. You head to Home Depot, Lowe’s, or any other major hardware store and pick up a Bagster for about $30. The bags themselves are made of thick, woven fabric and can hold up to 3 cubic yards worth of trash. Once you’ve finished loading up the bag, you give WM a call and they’ll take the bag to their nearest waste disposal center. The pick-up also comes with a fee, although it varies depending on your location.

In the dumpster vs Bagster debate, WM’s argument rests mainly on convenience and affordability, highlighting the low price of the bag and the simplicity of the self-service experience.

What is a Dumpster Rental?

Dumpsters have been the kings of self-service junk removal for quite some time now and still represent the more well-known and popular side of the dumpster vs Bagster conversation. When you call up a dumpster rental company, you’ll pick a date and the size of the dumpster, and it’ll be dropped off at your house. You keep the dumpster for a set amount of time, often five days or a week, and then the rental company picks it up and takes the trash to a sorting center. Dumpsters typically come in sizes between 10 and 40 cubic yards, making them significantly bigger than Bagsters. Some businesses, like Junk King, use standard-sized dumpsters and set the fee based on how much trash is in the container when we pick it up, saving customers from having to estimate the size of the job.

How to Choose Between a Bagster and Dumpster for Your Project Needs

When it comes to dumpsters vs Bagsters, the right solution will really depend on the specific needs of your project. For example, a Bagster might be perfect for a smaller project like spring cleaning but won’t have enough space for something bigger like a remodel. It’s also worth checking to make sure your preferred option will take the trash you need to get rid of. Junk King Alameda will accept pretty much anything short of toxic waste, but WM has a few more limitations and won’t take electronics, yard waste, and a handful of other items.

So which do you need? We recommend starting by taking stock of your project and estimating its scope. If you think you’re going to end up with a lot of trash or other junk left over, look into dumpster rentals. If you think it’ll be pretty small, it’s worth investigating Bagsters as an alternative. You can also use the WM site to check the price of a Bagster pickup in your area so you can compare costs.

A Dumpster, the Pros and Cons

The main advantage of choosing a dumpster over a Bagster is the size of the container itself. While bagsters only hold about 3 cubic yards of trash, a large dumpster can hold up to 40 cubic yards, and even the smallest dumpsters hold over three times as much trash as a Bagster. While the largest dumpsters are overkill for most projects, you might be surprised at how much trash can be generated by even the most humble undertakings. Renting a dumpster means you don’t have to worry about running out of space.

Dumpsters are also available to rent in every part of the country. Just run a Google search for “dumpsters near me” and you’ll see a long list of dumpster rental companies in your area. Bagsters, on the other hand, are mostly available in the eastern part of the US and have yet to expand to more rural areas.

The biggest downside of renting a dumpster is the cost. It can cost between $200 and $350 to rent a small dumpster for a week, which is nothing to sneeze at. The cost of a Bagster varies depending on the area, but the price for the bag itself plus the pick-up starts around $150 and can go up to $300 or so in more popular regions.

Bagsters, What They Are and How They Work

The main difference between a dumpster and a Bagster is the size, everything else is more or less comparable. The bags themselves are very cheap, although the cost of the pick-up means that you’re not saving all that much overall. They’re also not available in big parts of the country, although that’s gradually changing as more and more people find out what a Bagster is. One major advantage, however, is that you can keep the bag as long as you need it. Since you’re buying the Bagster instead of renting it, you can take your time while you fill it and schedule the pick-up once your project has ended.

The Best Option for Your Needs Might Surprise You

Ultimately, deciding between dumpsters for rent and Bagsters will depend on some factors specific to your project. If you think you can fit all the trash in a Bagster and WM offers the pickup service in your area, then it’s worth taking a look at the relative costs and seeing if you can save money that way. If Bagsters haven’t found their way to you yet, or you have a bigger project, you’re probably better off just searching for “best junk removal service near me” and getting some estimates.