Frequently asked questions
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Frequently asked questions
What is your policy on hazardous waste?
We do not collect hazardous waste such as chemicals, solvents, fuels, paint, stain, varnish, or other paint products, asbestos, or batteries. Please contact your local hazardous waste facility for proper disposal. Some items that are often assumed to be off-limits — including TVs, monitors, Freon appliances, tires, propane tanks, and mattresses — are accepted as special items for the posted charges listed on our pricing page. Just tell us about them when you book.
How fast can I expect the dumpster to be delivered?
Dumpsters are delivered in the order they are booked. We may need 48–72 hours depending on availability, location, and scheduling. The best way to ensure prompt delivery is by booking as far in advance as possible.
Are there additional costs?
Our goal is for you to pay the price you agreed to upfront. However, additional charges may apply in certain situations, most commonly for weight over the included allowance, extra rental days, overfilled dumpsters, empty-and-return swaps, or prohibited items. Each dumpster rental includes a set weight allowance. Additional weight beyond the included allowance is $215 per ton, normally billed in whole-ton increments. NOCA may prorate fractional overage weight at its discretion, and your actual measured weight stays on the rental record. Your included weight allowance is cumulative for your entire rental — it does not reset if we empty and return the dumpster mid-rental. If you need the dumpster longer than the standard 7-day rental period, please notify us at least 24 hours in advance. If the dumpster has not already been booked by another customer, we are happy to extend your rental for $5 per day. Additional charges may also apply for overfilled dumpsters, special items disclosed in advance, prohibited materials, or an empty-and-return (swap, $425 + weight) if you fill the dumpster before your project is done. Any debris loaded above the top of the dumpster's walls will result in an overflow charge of $250 per occurrence. It is unsafe for debris to be mounded above the sidewalls and poses serious risk when transporting the dumpster. Please keep safe, clear, and legal access to the dumpster on delivery, swap, and pickup day. If we arrive during an active rental and cannot safely place, service, or remove the container, a return-trip charge of $100 per occurrence applies, and time our driver spends waiting on site is billed at $100 per hour. A failed initial delivery that results in cancellation follows our cancellation policy instead. Damage to our dumpsters, tarps, trucks, or equipment caused by you, your contractors or guests, site conditions, fire, misuse, or materials placed against the equipment is billed at actual repair or replacement cost plus applicable NOCA labor at $100 per person per hour. For a full list of possible additional costs, please visit our pricing page.
What can NOT go in the dumpster?
Prohibited materials are never accepted: asbestos, batteries, harmful chemicals, solvents, fuels and automotive fluids, flammable liquids, medical waste, anything considered an environmental hazard, and paint, stain, varnish, or paint products. Separately, some items are accepted as special items for the posted charge when you disclose them in advance: tires, TVs and monitors, appliances containing Freon, propane tanks, and mattresses or box springs. See the pricing page for those charges. Call, text, or email if you're unsure about a specific item.
I'm not sure what size dumpster I need?
10 Yard: 10′ L × 8′ W × 4.5′ H — 1,000 lbs (0.5 tons) included. 15 Yard: 12′ L × 8′ W × 4.5′ H — 2,000 lbs (1 ton) included. 20 Yard: 20′ L × 8′ W × 4.5′ H — 4,000 lbs (2 tons) included. 30 Yard: 18′ L × 8′ W × 6′ H — 6,000 lbs (3 tons) included.
Do I need a permit to put a dumpster on my property?
Placement entirely on private property (your driveway, yard, or lot) typically does not require a municipal street-obstruction permit, but local rules, HOA requirements, lease terms, and other property restrictions or approvals may still apply — you're responsible for checking those. If the dumpster needs to be placed on a public street or public way — common in downtown Portland, Biddeford, and the Old Port — municipal approval is required. Each town handles this differently; let us know in advance and we'll point you to the right form.
How much weight is included in each size?
10 Yard: 1,000 lbs (0.5 tons) included. 15 Yard: 2,000 lbs (1 ton) included. 20 Yard: 4,000 lbs (2 tons) included. 30 Yard: 6,000 lbs (3 tons) included. Additional weight beyond the included allowance is $215 per ton, normally billed in whole-ton increments. NOCA may prorate fractional overage weight at its discretion, and your actual measured weight stays on the rental record. Heavy materials like concrete, brick, dirt, and roofing shingles add up fast — call us if you're unsure.
How long can I keep the dumpster?
Our standard rental period is 7 days, which is included in the base rental price. Need more time? No problem. Rentals may be extended for $5 per day with at least 24 hours' notice, as long as the dumpster has not already been scheduled for another customer. We also offer these rental options: 7 Days, 30 Days. If you finish before your rental period is up, simply let us know and we'll schedule a pickup. There is no penalty for finishing early.
Will the dumpster damage my driveway?
Our roll-off dumpsters are designed to sit on rollers and typically do not damage paved or concrete driveways during a short-term rental. However, because dumpsters and the trucks that place them are extremely heavy, surface marks, scrapes, scuffs, or other damage may occur during delivery, pickup, or while the container is on site. The risk of damage can increase with heavy loads, soft or hot asphalt, older concrete, uneven surfaces, or extended rental periods. If you prefer, we can place the dumpster on your lawn, but please note that lawn placement will often leave ruts or tear up grass during pickup. Upon request, we are happy to place lumber beneath the container at no additional charge to provide an added layer of protection. While this can help reduce risk, it does not fully guarantee against driveway, pavement, lawn, or property damage.
What areas of Maine do you serve?
We deliver across Greater Portland and Southern Maine, including Westbrook, Portland, South Portland, Scarborough, Gorham, Falmouth, Cape Elizabeth, Windham, Saco, Biddeford, and surrounding towns. Additional travel outside our standard service area is $1.75 per additional truck mile, calculated using the total additional truck mileage required for delivery and pickup. Call us for a custom quote.
Can I rent a dumpster for a roofing project?
Absolutely — roofing is one of the most common reasons people rent from us. We recommend the 20 yard for most single-layer asphalt shingle tear-offs on a typical Southern Maine home. For multi-layer or larger roofs, the 30 yard is the better fit. The lower walls of the 20 yard also make loading from a ladder easier.