TYPES OF BUILDING MATERIALS AND WASTE
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CONTAINER FOR YOUR MATERIALS
Types of waste: choosing well means better management
On a construction site, waste management can quickly become complex. Between mixed materials, earth, concrete, hazardous residues, asphalt shingles, liquids, drilling muds or contaminated soils, each type of waste must be treated differently to comply with environmental standards… and avoid unpleasant surprises.
Chez Conteneur Sanivacwe make your life easier. On this page, you’ll find the main types of materials we accept, the recommended container sizes for each, and tips from our experts on how to plan your waste management.
All you have to do is identify the type of waste you need to manage – and we’ll take care of the rest. If in doubt, call us before you book: it’s the best way to avoid mistakes, stay compliant and save time on your site.
See also our our article on what is and isn’t accepted in our containers to find out more.
SANIVAC TAKES CARE OF YOUR WASTE
MIXED MATERIALS
ASPHALT OR CONCRETE
LAND ONLY
STONE OR BRICK
ASPHALT SHINGLES
ASBESTOS AND VERMICULITE
CONSTRUCTION SLUDGE
CONTAMINATED MATERIALS
MIXED MATERIALS
MIXED MATERIAL CONTAINER
Looking for efficient disposal of different types of construction materials? Our mixed materials package is perfect for projects that generate a variety of waste materials. Wood, gypsum, ceramics, plastic, metal, old furniture: all can be grouped together in a single container.
EXPERT ADVICE :
Recommended container: 20 to 40 yard³ construction container, depending on volume.
Expert tip: Always plan for a little more than you need – especially if you have bulky items. An underestimated container can lead to overload charges or require an unplanned rotation. For a standard dwelling undergoing complete renovation, a 20 or 40 yard³ is often a good starting point.
ASPHALT OR CONCRETE
UNMIXED CONTAINER
A package designed to handle heavy, uniform materials such as concrete slabs or asphalt residues. No contamination by other materials is allowed. Ideal for contractors involved in excavation, roadwork, demolition or major renovations.
EXPERT ADVICE .
Recommended container: 15 to 40 yard³ construction container, suitable for heavy materials.
Expert advice: Concrete and asphalt are very dense. To avoid exceeding weight limits, opt for an intermediate format and ask our team to validate the capacity according to your type of worksite. For larger volumes, it may be more efficient to rotate several containers than to overload a single one.
LAND ONLY
CLEAN EARTH WITH NO DEBRIS
An excavation or landscaping project? This package is specially designed to evacuate clean soil, free of contaminants, roots or debris. It's the ideal solution for landscapers, homeowners or businesses with excess soil to dispose of.
EXPERT ADVICE .
Recommended container: 20 to 105 yard³ watertight container, depending on volume and soil type.
Expert advice: Wet or heavy soil residues can generate a large volume and are difficult to transport without leaks. Opt for a watertight container, especially if the soil is waterlogged or mixed with mud.
STONE, EARTH AND CONCRETE MIX
OR BRICK ONLY
Are you looking to efficiently dispose of different types of heavy materials? When inert materials such as stone, earth, concrete, asphalt or brick are mixed, we use this package. Perfect for structural work, slabs or more complex demolitions. Ideal for contractors or do-it-yourselfers who need to manage a heavy aggregate mix.
EXPERT ADVICE .
Recommended container: 15 to 40 yard³ construction container, depending on the quantity to be evacuated.
Expert advice: Don’t mix this type of material with wood, gypsum or other waste. Careful sorting at source avoids additional sorting costs and ensures more efficient disposal at treatment centers.
ASPHALT SHINGLES
ROOFING DEBRIS
Roofing project? This package collects only asphalt shingles, which require special sorting and disposal. Simple, fast, compliant. Ideal for roofing contractors, self-builders or home renovators.
EXPERT ADVICE .
Recommended container: 15-20 yd³ construction container for a standard residential roof.
Expert advice: A 25-30 square roof can generate up to 4-5 tons of shingles. Opt for a 20-yard³ format if your roof has several slopes or if you’re also replacing flashings or insulation materials. Always check the weight limits for your chosen format!
ASBESTOS AND VERMICULITE
HIGH-RISK RESIDUES
For the safe disposal of hazardous materials such as asbestos and vermiculite. This package includes a standards-compliant container for the collection and transportation of these hazardous residues. Ideal for contractors specializing in decontamination, or owners renovating older buildings.
EXPERT ADVICE .
Recommended container: 20 to 40 yards³ – Construction or watertight container with liner or certified bag.
Expert advice: Asbestos and vermiculite must be handled with care. Sealed containers are recommended for larger volumes or urban projects. For smaller or well-packaged quantities, a construction container may suffice. Contact our team before booking: asbestos management is subject to strict legal controls.
SOIL MUDS
DRILLING OR EXCAVATION SLUDGE
Our watertight containers are ideal for managing drilling mud or excavation sludge from construction sites. Equipped with seals, they ensure leak- and spill-free transport. Sanivac offers a turnkey service: delivery, pumping, emptying and compliant disposal at approved treatment sites. A safe solution that complies with environmental standards.
EXPERT ADVICE .
Recommended container: 20 to 105 yard³ watertight container, depending on the nature of the sludge and the volume to be managed.
Expert advice: Sludge generated by excavation or drilling work requires watertight containment to prevent spillage. For small volumes, a 20 to 30 yard³ container is sufficient. For more complex or prolonged projects, opt for our Frac Tank 45-yard³ roll-off container or our Frac Tank 105-yard³ trailer.
CONTAMINATED MATERIALS
CONTAMINATED SOIL OR HYDROCARBONS
For contaminated soils, hydrocarbon residues and other hazardous materials, our containers ensure reliable containment. We guarantee safe transportation, full traceability and environmentally compliant disposal. Our specialized teams take charge of every step with rigor and efficiency.
EXPERT ADVICE .
Recommended container: 20 to 105 yard³ watertight container, depending on the type of material and volume to be handled.
Expert advice: For contaminated soil or hydrocarbon residues, the use of a watertight container is essential. Depending on your site, you can opt for a compact 20-yard³ model or for our Frac. Tanks from 45 to 105 yards³, offering superior containment and maximum capacity.
RESERVE YOUR CONTAINER
YOUR PARTNER FOR CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS
OUR HOURS
- MONDAY TO FRIDAY: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- AVAILABLE 24/7
CONTAINER RENTAL
WE ANSWER
YOUR QUESTIONS
How does construction container rental work with Sanivac?
Sanivac offers a turnkey service that simplifies the management of your job site waste. Our team handles every step—from delivering the container to your site to picking it up once it’s full.
Here’s how it works:
Delivery to the job site: We drop off the roll-off container at the agreed location, on the scheduled date.
Use during the project: You can fill the container at your own pace with your construction or renovation debris throughout the duration of the project.
Emptying or swap if needed: If your project runs long or the container fills up quickly, we can schedule an emptying (replacing the full container with an empty one) during the rental period, based on your needs.
Collection and disposal: Once the container is full or your project is complete, just give us a call. Sanivac will pick up the container and transport the waste to the appropriate treatment facilities.
With this all-inclusive service, you don’t have to worry about waste logistics. Sanivac takes care of everything, ensuring full compliance with current environmental regulations from start to finish.
What sizes of construction containers are available?
We offer a variety of container sizes to suit everything from small residential projects to large-scale construction sites. Sanivac provides containers ranging from approximately 10 cubic yards to 40 cubic yards to meet a wide range of needs.
For exemple :
- 10 cubic yards: A small container ideal for minor projects (single-room renovations, garage or yard cleanups, limited debris).
- 20 cubic yards: A medium-sized container suitable for mid-size projects (multi-room renovations, partial demolition, moderate construction waste).
- 30 cubic yards: A large container suited for major job sites (full home renovations, significant demolitions, bulky debris requiring more space).
- 40 cubic yards: An extra-large container for major projects (new construction, large-scale demolition, very high volumes of waste).
If you’re unsure which size you need, no worries—Sanivac’s team can assess your needs and recommend the most suitable container for your project, helping you manage your waste efficiently without overpaying or running out of space.
What types of waste can I put in the container?
Our construction containers accept most non-hazardous waste from construction, renovation, or large-scale cleanups.
For example:
Construction and renovation debris – Wood, drywall, concrete, brick, stone, asphalt, metal, etc.
All of these dry, inert materials from demolition or job site work can be safely placed in the container.
Bulky and miscellaneous waste – Old furniture, doors, windows, broken appliances, scrap metal, and yard waste (branches, soil, etc.) can also be placed in the container.
However, certain materials are strictly prohibited for safety and regulatory compliance reasons:
Hazardous waste – Never place chemicals, paint, solvents, used oils, batteries, pesticides, propane tanks, or any other hazardous substances in a standard container.
Other prohibited items – Biomedical waste, electronic waste (WEEE), asbestos, or any contaminated or flammable materials are strictly forbidden.
Can I rent a container for a short or long period?
Yes, absolutely.
Sanivac’s container rental service is flexible and suited to all types of projects—residential, municipal, commercial, or industrial.
Each rental includes a 7-day period, but you can also rent a container for a shorter duration, like a weekend project, or for a longer period ranging from several weeks to several months.
Whether you’re a homeowner doing a deep clean, a business undergoing renovations, or a contractor on a job site, we have a solution for you. If your project takes longer than expected, you can easily extend the rental period by contacting our team.
For long-term projects, Sanivac also offers scheduled emptying services: we replace the full container with an empty one to ensure continuous waste management without any interruptions.
How quickly can I get a container delivered to my job site?
We understand that timing is critical on a job site. That’s why Sanivac strives to deliver containers as quickly as possible. In practice, we can usually deliver a container to your site within about 24 hours of your booking—sometimes even the same day, depending on availability and the time of your request.
Our new fleet of roll-off trucks and dedicated logistics team allow us to be highly responsive and meet your scheduling needs. Plus, once the container is in place, scheduling the final pickup is as simple as giving us a call when you’re done. We’ll ensure fast, efficient, and hassle-free removal.
In short, you can count on prompt delivery and reliable pickup—so your project keeps moving without delays.
How does Sanivac ensure environmental compliance in waste management?
Responsible waste management is at the heart of our service. Once the container is picked up, Sanivac removes, sorts, and processes your job site waste as sustainably as possible to reduce its environmental impact.
In practical terms, this means transporting materials to certified sorting or treatment centers, where debris is separated by category (wood, metal, concrete, etc.) and directed toward appropriate recycling or recovery channels. We aim to recycle as much material as possible—wood, metal, and concrete can often be reused or repurposed—and send only the absolute minimum to landfill. This eco-friendly approach helps preserve natural resources and minimizes the environmental footprint of your project.
It’s also important to know that the storage, transportation, recycling, and disposal of construction waste are subject to very strict environmental regulations.
As a certified and specialized company, Sanivac ensures full compliance with all of these regulations at every stage of the process. We hold the necessary permits and follow industry best practices to manage your waste in accordance with the law. By choosing Sanivac, you can be confident that your construction waste will be handled with full compliance—professionally processed, properly tracked, and in line with both environmental standards and legal requirements.
