A Quick History on the Origins of Dumpsters

You probably walk by dumpsters every day. From job sites to your favorite retailers, these bins have become a part of our daily lives, often without our even noticing them. The history behind these garbage containers is an interesting tale that many aren’t aware of. It may even surprise you. Read on to learn more about the dumpster and how it came to be in the first place.

Waste Management Before Dumpsters

Imagine a world where dumpsters didn’t exist--a place where the concept of centralized disposal wasn’t an option. For most large cities back in the day, pre-1930s, folks had to toss trash by hand and used a bunch of easy to carry buckets or bins to accomplish this task. If one had a large amount of waste to go out, the few city services available to collect it might take weeks before having the capacity to do so. From horse-drawn wagons to newly developed trucks with limited capacity, the concept of convenient waste disposal simply wasn’t possible until the dumpster came along.

The Dempster Brothers Transform Trash Disposal

Three brothers formed the Dempster Brothers Construction Company after working on the Panama Canal project. George, John, and Thomas created their business with a focus on dam, railroad, and highway construction. Despite the Great Depression forcing their company into bankruptcy after initial success, they continued their work.

One issue that George Dempster wanted to solve at company job sites was the issue of storing waste. In 1935, he introduced his solution: an oversized portable garbage receptacle. It was the first of its kind, and as he continued perfecting his design, he eventually created a version that could sit on the back of a truck. By using an attached hoist and lift system, they could take the dumpster to a larger garbage vehicle or location and dispose of the contents. Eventually, the U.S. Navy and other companies would rely on these bins.

The Many Types of Dumpsters

Over the years, new technology led to even more sophisticated dumpsters, including those using hydraulics to pack down the trash and make more room inside the bin. Dempster-Dumpster is also behind the Dumpmaster system that makes it possible for front-loading garbage trucks to heave trash over the front of the vehicle. You see this process today on compacting garbage trucks when coming to get your weekly refuse.

Over time, other innovative companies created other popular dumpster models, like the roll-off, which is better suited to managing construction debris because of its rugged design. Dempster-Dumpster manufactured a model called the Dinosaur that relied on a cable hoist to pull it on to the rear of a truck bed.

The flexibility of dumpsters we use today is undeniable. From small driveway size models that are no bigger than a minivan to versions built with a compactor system, the Dempster brothers made it all possible.

Experience the Convenience and Savings of a Dumpster

As you can see, a dumpster rental isn’t a hassle--it’s a convenience. Choosing to use a roll-off for your residential project plans can alleviate the logistics of waste management and save a lot of time and effort. Imagine the time you save not having to tie up bags, load up a truck multiple times to go to a landfill, and handle that same trash multiple times to get rid of it? Work smarter, not harder.

If you currently have more project waste than expected, it’s time to rent a dumpster and simplify your life. Bin There Dump That offers bins that are 4-20 yards long with capacities for just about any job size you throw our way. 

Our Jacksonville office offers the friendliest customer care so that you get the service you expect from a premier dumpster rental company. Give us a call at 904-500-2838 or reach out online today to find out if you qualify for same or next day delivery and get all of your questions answered. You can also check out our blog for additional tips and tricks.

Remember to choose Bin There Dump That for all your dumpster needs.