In Napa, sorting your debris can matter almost as much as the size you choose.
Start with the container itself. A larger size costs more, but squeezing a big job into a small dumpster usually leads to a second haul.
Weight comes next. Tile, plaster, and concrete are dense and heavy, while cabinets and furniture are bulky but light. Both local facilities charge by the ton, so heavy loads cost more to dispose of.
Sorting is where Napa is different. The City's recycling facility takes clean wood, drywall, carpet, and yard trimmings for much less per ton than the transfer station charges for mixed trash. Keep a load clean and it can cost less to dispose of.
The City's recycling rule for building projects also plays a part. Napa requires every new, remodel, and demolition project to separate and recycle certain materials, such as clean lumber, concrete, brick, metal, and brush. Larger projects over $100,000 or 5,000 square feet need a recycling plan before the permit is issued, and the City's construction recycling information sheet lists a $300 administrative fee for reviewing that plan.