The average American generates approximately 4.38 pounds of waste on a typical day. But what happens if your day isn't typical? Sometimes you need to dispose of hundreds -- possibly even thousands -- of pounds of trash in a short period of time, and there's a good chance that it won't all fit in your regular trash can. If you wind up in any of the situations below, rent a spacious, durable dumpster so you can easily get rid of your excess garbage. 

Eviction

Even if you can't afford the monthly payments for your rental home, you might still be able to afford a dumpster rental. Dumpster rentals are reasonably priced, and cost is generally based on the size of your container and the weight of the trash you wish to discard. Many landlords charge a hefty fine when tenants leave behind furniture or other belongings, so it may be more cost effective to rent a dumpster than it is to deal with a hefty fine for failing to empty out the apartment. Choose a reputable company that offers speedy delivery so you can ensure that all of your unwanted possessions are removed prior to the court-ordered eviction date. 

Divorce Finalization

Some divorcing couples fight over who gets to keep the items inside of the marital home, but that's not always the case. If neither of you want the furniture, bedding sets, or appliances in the home, a garbage rental provides a budget-friendly, convenient home for the unwanted items. To keep things fair, consider asking the judge if you and your ex can split the cost of the rental container, since you are disposing of shared property that neither party wants. 

Yard Sale

When your yard sale ends, what are you going to do with all of your leftover stuff? Some of your possessions can probably be donated to charity, but many charities are rather selective about the types of items that they accept. If your items are broken or stained, a charity may not want them. You may also have a difficult time getting a charity to pick up heavy appliances or bulky furniture, and you're stuck holding on to all of your unwanted items until the organization has time to pick up your donations. 

Instead of hauling the items that didn't sell back into your basement or attic, consider renting a garbage container. A dumpster has plenty of room for all of your unsold yard sale items, whether you have a few large appliances to get rid of or enough chairs and sofas to furnish an entire house. 

Home Renovations

If you're a do-it-yourself kind of guy or gal, you may quickly discover just how much waste a home renovation project can generate. Those broken shingles and slabs of siding aren't going to throw themselves away, and they certainly won't fit in a standard waste receptacle. You may be able to leave the pieces strewn across your lawn for a few days, but your neighbors probably won't appreciate that. Keep your yard looking nice -- and your neighbors off your back -- by using a rented dumpster to dispose of unwanted:

• Siding
• Wooden planks
• Roofing
• Lawn furniture
• Sinks, toilets, or tubs

If you are only renovating one room or a small portion of the home's exterior, you won't need a very large dumpster. If you are redoing the entire home in a day or two, make sure to rent a garbage container large enough to hold all of your unwanted materials.

A standard-sized trash can is just the right size for dinner scraps or junk mail, but sometimes you need something a bit bigger. If you're not sure exactly how much space you need for your excess garbage, contact a dumpster rental company to learn more about your options. An experienced employee can help you select the perfect unit for your waste and answer any questions you may have regarding the rental process.