Corral Plans for Dumpsters
Corral Plans for Dumpsters
How to Build an Enclosure for Your Commercial Dumpster
Dumpster corrals, also known as enclosures, are an important part of your weekly garbage service and the overall plan of your commercial property. Corrals hide garbage containers. limit blowing debris, and make the neighborhood look a little classier. But, poorly planned dumpster corrals can lead to property damage, improper disposal, and injury to employees.
Over the decades, we’ve gathered some of the best practices for corral design to share with our customers. Please ask your Homewood Disposal account representative or contact your local village for specific enclosure rules in your area.
Tip 1: Bigger the Better
Your corral could need to hold more than one dumpster, a grease trap, or additional large waste. Create a garbage collection area with room to access all sides of your dumpster. Listed below are only the minimum requirements.
Tip 2: Access for Employees
Employees and renters need to use your corral each day. Large gates can be difficult to use, and be dangerous to operate while carrying bags of garbage or on windy days. Employees can accidentally break or leave the gates open. Create a small door or access area on the side of the corral.
Tip 3: Go Big with Concrete
Concrete under the corral is required by many towns. A concrete apron in front of the corral area is also recommended. Without it, deep ruts and cracks in the asphalt or dirt will develop. These fill with water and ice, making an unsafe area for employees and the garbage truck driver.
Download a Quick Guide
Corral Construction Details
Corral and Garbage Truck Height Clearance
Trucks Require Direct Access
Dumpster Corral Details
Gate Opening – The garbage truck will need room to drive into the enclosure to empty your dumpster. Gate openings should be a minimum of 10 feet wide. Please mount the hinges outside of the wall. Please install gate stops to hold gate open while we empty the dumpster.
Gate Stops – Please install gate stops to hold the gate open when we empty the dumpster.
Enclosure Dimensions- The measurements shown (see diagrams) are for an 8 yard dumpster, and a 2 yard dumpster. Enclosure dimensions will be larger for multiple containers. Large “rear-load” commercial dumpsters (not shown) require a minimum enclosure depth of 16 feet.
Truck Access – Please leave 45 feet of unobstructed clearance in front of the enclosure to allow truck direct access. 24 feet of height clearance above the dumpster is needed for the dumpster to be lifted. 14 feet of height clearance is needed for the truck in all other areas.
Building Material – Chain link, block, brick, wood, and PVC are also common dumpster enclosure materials. The height of enclosure is usually 6-7 feet.
An 8 inch thick concrete pad inside the enclosure and extending at least 10 feet in front of the opening is encouraged. Reinforced 4000 psi concrete is recommended. This reduces damage to your pavement and trucks. Consult your municipality for local requirements on fencing material, height requirements, and concrete.
Extras – Allow extra space within the enclosure for grease containers and other items. Leave room for employees to walk on every side of the container. To limit gate damage, additional employee access on the side of the enclosure is recommended so employees do not have to open the large gates.
Examples of Corral Designs with Employee Access
Gate on the side
Hidden access on side
Large corral with hidden access
Our Services
Homewood Disposal has been serving Chicagoland and NW Indiana since 1956.
Garbage Service
We serve businesses like yours. Restaurants, schools, apartment buildings, medical centers, hospitals, industrial complexes – the right service for you. Your scheduled commercial trash is our specialty.
Recycling Service
Fill your container will all types of recycling and we sort the material for processing. Our customer friendly WeSort program makes recycling easy for property owners.
Temporary Dumpsters
A temporary dumpster is perfect for Palos Hills businesses that are remodeling or have a construction project.
