How many pickup loads does a 20 yard bin from an Ottawa company hold?

Two Ottawa bin companies describe a 20 yard bin as roughly 8 pickup-truck loads, and that figure appears on at least two independent company pages.

It is a rough guide, not a measure. Light, bulky material such as drywall, wood framing or insulation fills the bin faster by volume than by weight. Heavy material such as concrete, brick or soil takes up far less space but can push the bin past its weight limit well before it looks full. For heavy material, ask the company whether a 20 yard bin is the right choice or whether a smaller bin billed by weight makes more sense.

The 20 yard bin itself comes in two shapes, and the shape affects what you can realistically load. One shape is short and tall, with typical outside dimensions of about 11 to 12 feet long, 8 feet wide and 5.5 to 6 feet high. The other is long and low, about 18 to 22 feet long, 8 feet wide and 3.5 to 4 feet high. Sizes vary by company, and a company's 20 yard bin may not match those ranges exactly, so ask for the outside dimensions in writing before you book. A common company rule is to load level with the top edge, with nothing hanging over the sides.

Get the outside dimensions of the specific bin they will deliver, so you can check it fits your space and matches the 8-load estimate for the kind of material you are clearing.