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How to Dispose of Yard Waste
The Complete Yard Waste Disposal Guide
While landscaping projects add to your curb appeal, they can also leave you with big piles of debris. Wondering how to get rid of your yard waste? We’ve broken down the most common garden waste disposal options so you can find the best way to clean up after your outdoor home improvement job.
What Is Yard Waste?
Yard waste is organic debris created by landscaping, gardening, lawn care and other outdoor projects. This includes grass clippings, weeds, sticks, branches, bushes, stumps, plants and leaves.
Yard Waste Disposal Options
1. Rent a Roll Off Dumpster
Renting a dumpster is an easy way to get rid of yard waste. Simply call and schedule a drop-off time and location that’s convenient for you. Then, you can fill the container as you work and have the bin and all your yard debris removed when you’re done. Budget Dumpster offers flexible rental periods, so you can hang onto your dumpster for a weekend or longer and clean up at your own pace. This is also a great option for getting yard debris off your lawn quickly.
| Benefits | Things to Consider |
|---|---|
| - No need to be home for delivery or pickup. | - You’ll load the yard waste into the dumpster yourself. |
| - You can keep the dumpster on-site for as long as you want. | - In some areas, items like large stumps are not allowed in a dumpster. Call our team to learn about accepted materials in your area. |
| - No need to bag yard waste for disposal. | |
| - An all-inclusive, affordable rate is provided upfront. | |
| - Offers a guaranteed, scheduled disposal of your yard waste. |
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2. Check Your Local Trash Collection Service for Yard Debris Pickup
Your weekly municipal trash service may be another yard waste disposal option. Some cities will pick up small amounts of yard debris if it’s bagged up properly and left on the curb for collection day. Check with your town’s refuse and recycling service to learn more about accepted debris types and how it should be handled.
| Benefits | Things to Consider |
|---|---|
| - A low-cost yard waste removal option. | - Not available in all areas. |
| - Useful for small amounts of debris. | - Yard waste needs to be packaged appropriately. |
| - Extra work involved is minimal. | - Collection is often limited to small amounts of yard debris. |
| - Removal time depends on the city’s schedule. |
3. Hire a Junk Removal Company
Some junk removal companies can provide yard waste hauling services, but will charge fees based on how much space your debris takes up in their truck. The company will schedule a delivery window and send out professionals who will determine the yard debris removal cost upon arrival. You’ll need to be on-site during the window they provide and have your debris ready for pickup ahead of time.
| Benefits | Things to Consider |
|---|---|
| - Heavy lifting is done for you. | - Price is subject to increase upon arrival. |
| - Offers a scheduled removal of your yard debris. | - You must be present for yard debris pickup. |
| - Not ideal for removing large amounts of yard waste. |
4. Burn Your Yard Waste
Burning yard waste is a quick way to get rid of landscaping debris, as long as it’s safe and legal to do in your area. You should only burn your yard debris in a contained fire pit that’s set at least 150 feet away from neighbors and 50 feet from your own home. Choose a calm, windless day and have someone on-site with access to a hose to monitor the fire the entire time.
| Benefits | Things to Consider |
|---|---|
| - A low-cost yard waste disposal option. | - Need to check local regulations before burning yard waste. |
| - Minimal effort is required. | - Environmental concerns of smoke pollution. |
| - Fires can easily get out of hand. |
How Much Does Yard Waste Removal Cost?
Yard waste removal costs depend on the amount of debris you have and the disposal method you use.
The average cost of yard waste removal from a junk hauling service is $297, assuming you have less than 9 cubic yards, or 3 pickup truck loads, of grass clippings, sticks and leaves. The number of trips needed to haul away your yard waste will also increase this cost.
Meanwhile, the average cost of a 20 yard dumpster rental is $447, which includes more than double that amount of yard waste hauling, or 6 pickup truck loads of debris.
When you rent a dumpster for yard debris pickup, you can choose a dumpster size that matches the amount of waste you have. And you can keep it on-site until you’ve cleaned up your yard, making it the more affordable and timelier disposal option.
Costs of Various Yard Waste Disposal Options
| Disposal Option | Cost |
|---|---|
| Cost to Rent a 20 Yard Dumpster | $447 on average, with prices ranging from $264 to $687. |
| Cost of a Junk Removal Service | Around $275 for a quarter bedload to $600 for a full bedload. |
How to Recycle Yard Waste
Looking for a greener option for getting rid of yard waste? Here are a few ways you can put it to good use.
1. Rent a Wood Chipper
Rent a chipper from your local hardware store, and turn your garden waste into mulch that can be used around the yard. Be sure to cut down any large twigs or stumps and remove rocks from the soil before you begin chipping.
2. Make a Compost Pile
Depending on how much debris you have, composting can be a great way to recycle your yard waste. You can create a DIY composting bin, fill it with your yard debris and stir occasionally to help break it down. Once your compost is ready, you can reuse it as a fertilizer.
If your yard waste includes a lot of weeds or plants, you should think twice before composting it. Plant seeds and diseases can survive the recycling process and continue to grow and spread wherever you place the recycled material.
And if you don’t need a large quantity of mulch or compost, recycling yard waste may not be the best option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yard Waste Disposal
How much yard waste will fit in a roll off dumpster?
The dumpster size you’ll need for yard waste removal depends on how much debris you have. The average yard waste bag has a 30-gallon capacity, and the most common dumpster sizes for landscaping projects are 10 and 20 cubic yards.
A 10 yard dumpster can hold approximately 55-77 full yard waste bags. A 20 yard dumpster can hold approximately 121-143 bags of yard waste. When you call to order, our team will learn about your disposal needs to recommend the right dumpster rental for the job.
Where can I dump yard waste?
Dumping yard waste is illegal in most areas because it can negatively impact the environment by damaging native plants, lowering soil quality and spreading invasive plant species.
These are your best options for legally dumping yard waste:
- Haul it to your local landfill.
- Deliver it to a composting center.
- Drop it at a local yard waste collection site.
Can I mix other debris with my yard waste in a roll off dumpster?
Accepted materials vary by location. In some areas, you can rent a dumpster to dispose of both yard waste and household debris, while others offer dedicated yard waste dumpsters that only accept organic matter. Call our team to learn more about the yard waste dumpsters available near you.
Are there any yard work safety tips I should keep in mind?
Landscaping and gardening projects can be dirty, heavy jobs. Avoid accidents and injuries with these safety tips for working with yard waste:
- Wear long sleeves, pants and sturdy shoes when removing yard waste. Use the appropriate tools for the job you’re completing.
- Wear protective eyewear and hearing protection when using power equipment.
- Drink plenty of water during warm weather to avoid overheating and dehydration.
- Avoid handling chemicals and fertilizers for long stretches of time.
Have Something Else to Throw Out? Find the Right Guide Below:
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