Dumpster vs dumpster (2024)

Dumpsteris the name, for North America (including both United States and Canada), for a large metal container for trash. Outside the United States the receptacle is called either a skip or a front load container.

This term was created by a business for their specialized containers that let a truck empty them without any manual labor required. The name was formed from the worddump, the place were all trash is taken.

For years the word was so popular that all containers were calledDumpsters, but the word remained capitalized, like Kleenex and Velcro, because the trademark patent protected the spelling legally. Since at least 2014, the patent expired and the term is no longer legally required to be capitalized. Still, some dictionaries have not updated their listings, and some readers may have not kept up with expiring patents and may be ready to contest your spelling.

Outside of the United States the lowercase spelling is already more common and shouldn’t pose as much of an issue.

Examples

Newport News authorities are investigating a string of dumpster fires that occurred in April. [The Washington Post]

Miscommunication caused dumpsters not to be placed throughout Etowah County for a clean-up day, so a make-up day has been scheduled for 7 a.m. to noon Saturday. [The Gadsden Times]

With permanent public spaces costing upwards of $100,000 to create, a Melbourne-based not-for-profit group have taken the humble skip bin and turned into a makeshift park for people to eat, socialise and play in. [Daily Mail]

Dumpster vs dumpster (2024)

FAQs

Dumpster vs dumpster? ›

For years the word was so popular that all containers were called Dumpsters, but the word remained capitalized, like Kleenex and Velcro, because the trademark patent protected the spelling legally. Since at least 2014, the patent expired and the term is no longer legally required to be capitalized.

Does dumpster need to be capitalized? ›

20, 2013, the AP Stylebook required the word “dumpster” to be capitalized as it is still a registered trademark. The original trademark registration certificate granted to Dempster Brothers Inc. for their eponymous “Dempster Dumpster”.

Why is dumpster capitalized in on dumpster diving? ›

Long before I began Dumpster diving I was impressed with Dumpsters, enough so that I wrote the Merriam-Webster research service to discover what I could about the word “Dumpster.” I learned from them that “Dumpster” is a proprietary word belonging to the Dempsey Dumpster company.

What is the difference between a dumpster and a bagster? ›

The most immediate difference between dumpsters and Bagsters is the size. Bagsters are much smaller and are intended only for minor jobs, holding about 3 cubic yards worth of trash. Dumpsters, on the other hand, come in a few different sizes, typically ranging from 10 cubic yards up to around 40 cubic yards.

Is dumpster British or American? ›

The word is a generic trademark of Dumpster, an American brand name for a specific design. Generic usage of skip, or wheelie bin may be used in other English speaking countries.

Is it dumpster fire or fire dumpster? ›

"Dumpster fire" is an informal term in the United States used to describe a catastrophically bad situation. It has appeared in metaphorical form as early as 2003, and picked up traction in 2010 in the world of sports.

Is dumpster still trademarked? ›

Trademark was cancelled in 2015. Trademarked by Dempster Brothers, Inc. in 1963, dumpster is originally a portmanteau of the word dump and the last name Dempster.

How do you use dumpster diving in a sentence? ›

As a child, he went Dumpster diving, collecting old electronics from the garbage and restoring them. Many identity thieves get their information by simple Dumpster diving.

Why is dumpster trademarked? ›

Trademarking Efficiency: The Dumpster Brand

Trademarked by Dempster Brothers, Inc. in 1963, Dumpster is originally a portmanteau of the word dump and the last name Dempster. It originally appeared in the 1951 product name Dempster Dumpster.

Do people really dumpster dive? ›

In fact, many of them know people who dumpster dive, and some even admitted to salvaging sandwiches or baked goods from the trash in college when money was tight. But there are various motivations for dumpster diving.

Is a Bagster cheaper than a dumpster? ›

Cost Considerations

On the average, the Bagster is cheaper overall. however, for most areas, the Bagster is a lot more expensive than the dumpster, especially compared per cubic yard of debris capacity.

Why is it called a 40 yard dumpster? ›

Dumpsters are named after the amount of volume in cubic yards.

Why is it called a 30 yard dumpster? ›

The word “Yard” in 30 yard dumpster refers to one cubic yard of area. It's an industry standard used to reference the size of large waste containers. You can also think of 1 cubic yard as 3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet.

What do Brits call a dumpster? ›

While the origins of the word 'skip' is not something you really think about, it may be worth giving it some attention considering how important skips are. In countries like the US and Canada it's referred to as a dumpster, which seems logical given the nature of its use. However, in the UK we call them skips.

What do Australians call a dumpster? ›

A skip (British English, Australian English, Hiberno-English and New Zealand English) (or skip bin) is a large open-topped waste container designed for loading onto a special type of lorry called a skip loader.

What do British people call a garbage can? ›

The words "rubbish", "basket" and "bin" are more common in British English usage; "trash" and "can" are more common in American English usage.

What expense category is a dumpster? ›

Operating Expenses: This is the most common category for trash removal expenses, as they are typically considered a necessary part of running the business. Maintenance and Repairs: If the trash removal is considered part of the upkeep of the property, it may be classified as a maintenance or repair expense.

What is a sentence with dumpster? ›

Dumpster Sentence Examples

He snatched her and shoved her down beside a metal dumpster. Furnish your house with items obtained from dumpster diving and trash picking.

Can waste removal be capitalized? ›

According to basic accounting information, in most cases, environmental remediation costs can be deducted as ordinary and reasonable business expenses. However, not all of these remediation costs are expensed. In some cases, environmental cleanup costs are capitalized and then depreciated over a number of years.

What type of word is dumpster? ›

noun. a large metal or plastic bin for refuse designed to be hoisted onto a specially equipped truck for emptying or hauling away.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jerrold Considine

Last Updated:

Views: 5909

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jerrold Considine

Birthday: 1993-11-03

Address: Suite 447 3463 Marybelle Circles, New Marlin, AL 20765

Phone: +5816749283868

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Air sports, Sand art, Electronics, LARPing, Baseball, Book restoration, Puzzles

Introduction: My name is Jerrold Considine, I am a combative, cheerful, encouraging, happy, enthusiastic, funny, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.